BACKGROUND
The Gearhart City Council is committed to protecting the community, staff, and volunteers by improving the City’s public safety facilities. These buildings have served Gearhart for more than 50 years and no longer meet modern standards for safety, function, or resiliency.

The City also intends to replace its aging Public Works building on the current site. This facility is in poor condition but does not need to meet the same critical-infrastructure standards required for fire and police buildings. In addition, Gearhart’s 53-year-old City Hall no longer meets the space and safety needs of staff and the Police Department.

Your input will help the Council identify which improvement option best reflects the community priorities before a potential bond vote in May 2026.
Step 1 – About You

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* 1. What is your name? (optional)

These questions are for data purposes to help the City understand how results represent eligible voters.

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* 2. Are you currently a registered voter in the City of Gearhart?

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* 3. Are you a property owner in Gearhart?

Step 2 – Indicate Your Level of Support for Each Option
Option A – Current Downtown Project – Highest cost, earthquake/tsunami-resilient
Includes:

• Construct a new Public Safety Building (Fire & Police)

• Construct a new Public Works Building on current site

• Rebuild the existing City Hall on current site

• Designed to meet critical infrastructure standards to remain operational after major disasters (earthquake and tsunami)

• Site elevation: 27 feet (within tsunami impact zone)

• Estimated cost: ≈ $35 million

• Approx. tax impact: About $3.00 per $1,000 of assessed value (AV) — taxes are based on assessed value, not real market value (RMV). (20-year bond)

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* 4. How do you feel about this option (A - Current Downtown Project)?

Option B – Remodel Existing Downtown Facilities – Lowest cost, shortest life span
Includes:
• Remodel the existing Fire Station, City Hall, and Police Department

• Construct a new Public Works Building on current downtown site

• Improves safety, space, and functionality

• Does not meet earthquake/tsunami-resilient construction (critical infrastructure standards)

• Site elevation: 27 feet (within tsunami impact zone)

• Estimated cost: ≈ $10 million

• Approx. tax impact: About $1.60 per $1,000 of assessed value (AV) — taxes are based on assessed value, not real market value (RMV). (10-year bond; a 20-year bond may be considered)

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* 5. How do you feel about this option (B - Remodel Existing Downtown Facilities)?

Option C – Dunes Meadow (Lesley Miller) Park Site – Moderate cost, higher ground, earthquake/tsunami-resilient
Includes:
• Construct a new Public Safety Building (Fire & Police) at Dunes Meadow Park on higher ground

• Construct a new Public Works Building on current downtown site (may use old fire station)

• Remodel the current City Hall in downtown Gearhart

• Designed to remain operational after major disasters (earthquake and tsunami)

• Site elevation: 58 feet (outside the small and medium tsunami impact zones)

• Estimated cost: ≈ $22 million

• Approx. tax impact: About $2.00 per $1,000 of assessed value (AV) — taxes are based on assessed value, not real market value (RMV). (20-year bond)

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* 6. How do you feel about this option (C - Dunes Meadow Park)?

Option D – Highland Site – Highest ground, earthquake/tsunami-resilient, requires annexation
Includes:
• Construct a new Public Safety Building (Fire & Police) on the previously considered Highland property (requires annexation)

• Remodel the current City Hall in downtown Gearhart

• Construct a new Public Works Building on current downtown site (may use old fire station)

• Designed to remain operational after major disasters (earthquake and tsunami)

• Site elevation: 70 feet (outside the small, medium, and large tsunami impact zones)

• Estimated cost: ≈ $20 million

• Approx. tax impact: About $1.85 per $1,000 of assessed value (AV) — taxes are based on assessed value, not real market value (RMV). (20-year bond)

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* 7. How do you feel about this option (D - Highland Site)?

Step 3 – Rank Your Preferences

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* 8. Rank the four options below in order of your preference.
(1 = Most preferred, 4 = Least preferred)

Step 4 – Additional Feedback

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* 9. (select one) What factor matters most to you when choosing an option?

Step 5 – Comments

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* 10. Please share any additional thoughts, concerns, or suggestions you’d like the City Council to consider.

Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts. Your feedback will help guide the City Council as it refines the Public Safety Building proposal for a potential May 2026 bond measure.
PLEASE CLICK "SUBMIT ANSWERS" BELOW - YOU WILL BE GIVEN THE OPTION TO RECEIVE AN EMAILED COPY OF YOUR RESPONSES.

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