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Salem looks to restore public trust after Courthouse Square debacle
After Salem's Courthouse Square debacle, in which the building was deemed dangerously unsafe and vacated, the city made a move to save face by getting the first city building department in Oregon to gain the International Accreditation Service鈥檚 stamp of approval. Inspectors looked at Salem鈥檚 permitting, plan review and inspection services.
Salem Courthouse Square repairs to begin in summer
Repairs are expected to begin on Salem Courthouse Square this summer. On Monday, the owners of the complex voted unanimously to repair the complex, which was shuttered in 2010 because structural deficiencies made it unsafe.
Owners ask what’s next for Salem’s Courthouse Square building
More than a year has passed since the Courthouse Square building in Salem was declared unsafe and evacuated. Now, after several investigations and lawsuit settlements, the owners are asking construction companies to weigh in before officials decide what to do next.
Courthouse Square problems traced to late engineer
A forensic investigation of the structurally unsound Courthouse Square building in Salem concluded that that the project鈥檚 problems came from its engineering.
Courthouse Square investigation photos
An investigation into the structural stability of the Courthouse Square building in Salem attributed many of the problems to poor design, poor materials and problematic construction methods.
Causes pegged for Courthouse Square problems
Poor design, poor materials and insufficient site supervision are among the prime causes for the cracking, shifting mess of a building in Salem that once housed offices for Marion County, according to a new $1.5 million remediation study.
Study sought for Courthouse Square debacle
Marion County hopes to learn lessons from Salem's ill-fated Courthouse Square building. The agency is seeking a company to investigate the past of the 10-year-old, $34 million building, so structural problems that led to its closure won't happen on any new projects.
Salem Courthouse structural problems confirmed
The Salem courthouse will remain vacant after a second round of testing strengthened the claim that the $34 million building completed in 2000 isn't structurally safe enough for public workers to occupy it.
Salem orders Courthouse Square vacated
Tenants of the Courthouse Square office building in Salem have been ordered to vacate the building 30 days sooner than planned, after receiving word from a engineer that the building has 11 columns stressed to over 150 percent of their capacity.
$1.8M settlement reached for Courthouse Square
A settlement has been reached in the lawsuit filed against contractors for work done on the structurally-deficient Courthouse Square building in Salem.
Salem government building being vacated
Marion County offices and other tenants will vacate the Courthouse Square building in Salem within 90 days after inspections found the building to be structurally unsound.
Marion County issues proposal results for Courthouse Square
Marion County has issued results for the Request for Proposals for Courthouse Square Design Services. The County received four responses for the RFP. Proposals were received from DLR Group - Seattle, Pivot Architecture - Eugene, SERA Architecture - Portland, and Western Architectural - Portland.
News
- Multnomah County commits up to $101.6M for Moda Center
- Portland code changes to take effect in November
- Los Colibris project approved for Portland’s OMSI District
- Pacific Northwest projects totaling $9.9 million in top bidders | Aug. 7, 2026
- Oregon opens infrastructure grant program
- Ex-TV host claps back at Detroit officials in blight case
- 31-unit multifamily project in Portland land use review intakes | Aug. 3, 2026
- $2.4 million office renovation in Portland building permits | Aug. 3, 2026
- Transportation commission weighs ODOT budget cuts
- Lam Research planning $1.7 billion investment in Tualatin
- Pacific Northwest projects totaling $10.6 million in top bidders | July 31, 2026
- Many Oregon counties struggling to maintain their fairgrounds
Commentary
- Beware of when the debt collector comes calling | Opinion
- Assembly of a future workforce begins with an invitation | Opinion
- Beware of overlooking legal requirements for remote workers | Opinion
- Become a critical thinker and transform a workplace | Opinion
- Managing construction risks with international suppliers | Opinion
- A rally with many engines: the lesson of 2026’s first half | Opinion
- Oregon housing challenges persist despite sound and fury | Opinion
- When does an employee’s bullying become harassment? | Opinion
- Ditch disorganization 鈥� the cost of deferred decisions | Opinion
- Consider 10 common risks for healthcare construction projects | Opinion
- Clarifying the reach of a law regarding prevailing wage | Opinion
- Adjust to legal changes now to ensure compliance later | Opinion
