(Wheeler, OR) – The Nehalem Bay Health District this week submitted to Tillamook County’s Community Development department design and permitting documents for the new Nehalem Bay Health Center and Pharmacy in Wheeler. The submittal represents a major milestone in the project and anticipates a permit review schedule by the county that will allow groundbreaking in mid-July 2024.
The new Health Center will replace the existing Nehalem Bay Health Center, housed in a building that was constructed in the 1980’s that has no space for expansion or for the development of new health care services. The new Health Center will be located in a prominent location on U.S. Highway 101 across Hospital Road from the Wheeler City Hall. The new facility will have 15 exam and treatment rooms, a large pharmacy, a dental suite, dedicated space for behavioral health services and a large community meeting room.
the Nehalem Bay Health District. From left, Jenna Hays, Lisa McClellan, Hayley Purdy (project lead), Amy Cripps and
Eugenia Fama-Higgins. SEA, at the District’s direction, has also utilized Minority, Women, and Emerging Small Business
subcontractors to develop various aspects of the project. (provided photo)
Health District president Marc C. Johnson said the board is proud that a significant community project has been developed by a talented all-woman team of architects and designers from Scott Edwards Architecture, as well as a diverse consultant team that met the Health District’s goal of teaming with multiple COBID certified Oregon firms.
(COBID firms are certified as minority-owned, women-owned, service-disabled veteran-owned businesses, and emerging small businesses.)
“This team has worked diligently with the health care and administrative staff of the Nehalem Bay Health Center to plan an efficient, modern facility that will serve our community far into the future,” Johnson said.
The Health District board has also placed a premium on working with firms with substantial health care and coastal design and construction experience. The rest of the District’s team includes The Klosh Group, serving as the District’s owner’s representative and Bremik Construction the construction manager/general contractor.
Here is a timeline of key activities leading to construction of the new Nehalem Bay Health Center and Pharmacy:
• Health Center/Pharmacy new-build site purchased by Health District: July 2021
• Scott Edwards Architecture retained for site planning and highest and best use analysis:
Summer 2021
• Schematic Design for Health Center/Pharmacy completed: December 2022
• Federal funding secured via Congressionally Directed Request: December 2022
• Local General Obligation (GO) bond measure for $10.25 million secured: May 17, 2023
• Environmental studies completed: Summer 2023
• GO bonds sold: September 4, 2023
• Klosh Group retained as owner’s representative: September 6, 2023
• Design Development documents completed: November 2023
• City of Wheeler Design Development approval: December 7, 2023
• Bremik Construction retained as Construction Manager/General Contractor: January 2024
• Tillamook County permits submitted: April 29, 2024
• Groundbreaking projected: Mid-July 2024
For more information, go to www.nehalembayhd.org