Groundbreaking held for new FBI building in outer East Portland

Find out where this new complex will be constructed – and why officials say this project is important for Portland …

Shovels stand ready for officials from the City, County, State and Federal governments to break ground – for a new building in outer East Portland that will become the new regional office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Although they’ve been talking about it for at least six months, ground was broken in December for a new campus designed specifically to become the new regional office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

“This is very exciting, and is long overdue,” commented Art Balizan, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, for the State of Oregon. “We’ve been waiting for this building for quite a while. It’s about a $45 million structure; about 35,000 ft.², and will serve the entire state of Oregon with resources.”

Art Balizan, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, for the State of Oregon, tells why local agents are looking forward to their new campus at Cascade Station, near Portland International Airport.

“We have been in the current Crown Plaza facility since 1971,” Balizan reflected at the December 1 groundbreaking ceremony. “The office has grown considerably, and is much more proactive now. We are consolidating a number of different rental facilities into one stand-alone FBI facility.”

No additional FBI employees will be added, Balizan said.

Coming to outer East Portland will be this new building campus, constructed to house the regional office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Molasky Group illustration

About the project, predicted to take about 18 months to complete, Portland Mayor Sam Adams told East Portland News, “This project is important to Portland in a number of ways. First, it’s about a $500 million project, and it’s coming in a time when there is a lot of unemployment in the construction industry.”

Adams continued, “It’s also important to keep the FBI office in the City of Portland, and not lose it to a consolidation in a regional merger, such as in Seattle. And, it’s also a great location here in East Portland, in the airport area. It will help strengthen security around the transportation and port facilities.”

Even though the rain poured down on this cold December day, almost every seat in the tented groundbreaking area was filled.

In a lengthy program, representatives from the Portland Development Commission, federal General Services Administration, and the general contractor, the Molasky Group, gave speeches extolling the merits of the project.

Mayor Sam Adams addresses the gathering at this groundbreaking ceremony.

During the program, Mayor Adams said, among other remarks, “I’m glad for this opportunity to thank our partners in the Federal Bureau of Investigation, for the good work that you do each and every day to keep the Portland region safe. On behalf of our very grateful city, I offer a very heartfelt thank you.”

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