The initial Oregon Zoo improvement projects backed by money from a recent bond measure are moving ahead.

Voters approved a $380 million bond measure in May 2024. A $3 million entry plaza and a $10.5 million covered shelter are included in the $19 million first phase, as outlined in the zoo’s campus plan. Both projects for the Southwest Portland attraction are proceeding through permitting and cost estimating processes.

The team includes owner Metro, architect Opsis Architecture, civil engineer Vega Civil Engineering, structural engineer Equilibrium Engineers, landscape architect Walker Macy, and general contractor Fortis Construction.

The entry plaza will extend from the back of the Cascade Crest building. A covered deck will provide protection from heat and inclement weather. Skylights will let in natural light.

“Working with Opsis Architecture to design a structure that works with an existing style as well as create a new design was rewarding,” Beth Redmond-Jones, director of campus planning and development for the Oregon Zoo, stated in an email.

Redmond-Jones oversees the team working on projects funded by the 2024 bond.

The second project will be a covered shelter between Polar Passage and Growler’s Pizza. A $7.5 million building permit is under review for the project. The approximately 10,000-square-foot space will be large enough to accommodate a band, a dance floor, dining tables, a buffet setup, and bars. There will be lights, fans, radiant heaters and skylights.

“It will be an ideal place for visitors to get out of the elements, as well as for hosting private events such as company picnics and parties,” Redmond-Jones stated.

Sustainable and natural construction materials will be used for the two structures, which will integrate solar panels for energy efficiency.

“We are thrilled with how beautifully the architecture blends with the surrounding Washington Park landscape, and we look forward to zoo guests being able to get out of the elements on both hot and rainy days,” Redmond-Jones stated.

With the remaining unallocated bond dollars (approximately $5.5 million) for the first phase, the zoo will add a smaller covered shelter (plans call for a design in the same architectural style as the $10.5 million one) between the Growler’s eatery and Elephant Lands.

Construction is scheduled to start on the entry plaza and the larger covered shelter in January 2026 and finish in August 2026, according to Oregon Zoo spokesperson Hova Najarian. Construction of the smaller covered shelter is scheduled to start in February 2027, he added.

In addition, bond money will cover a second phase of projects. These will include updates of some of the zoo’s oldest animal areas, educational exhibits, guest facilities and infrastructure. Currently, the zoo team is planning for the first habitat projects: sea otters, harbor seals and Humboldt penguins, Redmond-Jones stated. A request for qualifications for an architect/engineer will be issued in the fall and a request for proposals for preconstruction services will be issued in the first quarter of 2026.

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Project name: Holly Theatre Restoration/Renovation

Location: Medford

Completion: December 2024

Size: 16,000 square feet

Owner/Developer: Holly Theatre LLC

Architect: Oregon Architecture

General Contractor: Outlier Construction

Submitting Company: Outlier Construction

Subcontractors: Bell Hardware, Christian Massey, Firestop, Gale Insulation, LLAD Concrete, Maranatha Painting, Metal Masters, Precision Electric, Pressure Point Roofing, Quality Fencing, Rogue Iron, Rubenstein’s Flooring, TerraFirma, ThyssenKrupp, Van Row Mechanical

A historic theater renovation project is breathing new life into the downtown area, combining preservation of the past with modern amenities for the future.

Outlier Construction, working with a team of specialists, completed an extensive renovation of the Holly Theater, addressing significant structural challenges while preserving the venue’s historic character.

One of the project’s most impressive engineering feats involved the correction of a 6-inch sag in the original 55-foot span girder trusses. The construction team removed 80 percent of the sag using custom 8-inch steel columns and hydraulic jacks to stabilize the trusses before adding structural reinforcements. Each girder truss received structural blocking and backing, new custom structural steel gussets with through bolts, and vertical and horizontal tie rods.

The building’s auditorium walls, which stand approximately 60 feet high, and stage walls, reaching nearly 80 feet, required installation of structural helical piles to protect against future seismic events.

The project team prioritized preserving and restoring original architectural features including the façade, decorative elements, moldings and period-appropriate paint and artwork while incorporating modern systems.

A new three-phase 2400A electrical service was installed, along with energy-efficient LED lighting, high-performance insulation and state-of-the-art HVAC systems. The auditorium received linear diffusers in the ceiling to provide adequate air distribution without detracting from architectural features.

To ensure optimal sound quality for concerts, movies and live shows, acoustic specialists were brought in to optimize the auditorium’s acoustics.

The theater renovation required close coordination with the City of Medford’s public works, planning and building departments. Jefferson Public Radio, a non-profit public radio station serving as the theater’s operating manager, provided high level and frequent communications to the team, helping coordinate construction with the project’s complex funding constraints from numerous donors and grants.

The renovated theater is expected to boost the local economy by attracting tourists and theatergoers to nearby restaurants, hotels and shops, potentially creating a “cultural district” that benefits local commerce. The project also serves as an example of sustainable renovation practices while providing a space for local artists and potentially offering educational programs for children, schools and community groups.

“Through meticulous craftsmanship, innovative engineering, and an unwavering commitment to authenticity, the project overcomes decades of deterioration to breathe new life into a cherished piece of Oregon’s history,” a representative noted in the project submission form. “It stands as a shining example of how visionary restoration can blend the past with the future.”

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