As mayors of Gearhart, we’ve had a “front row seat” towards the goal of a new fire station for Gearhart. It has been a very long and arduous process!

In 1958, the Gearhart firefighters volunteered their time and skill to build a fire station for the city. It looks very much the same today. That is, until you take a closer look. The concrete holding the cinder blocks together is crumbling. The building will likely collapse in an earthquake.

In 2006 Mayor Kent Smith was able to put a $3.75 million bond measure on the ballot for a fire station/city hall (at the current site). The bond failed by 96 votes. Since that vote was taken, much has been learned about the Cascadia Subduction Zone and the earthquakes and tsunamis it can create. Coastal cities, including Gearhart, began efforts to improve resiliency following a disaster.

In 2015, a citizen’s fire station committee was formed by Mayor Dianne Widdop. The group evaluated nine alternatives. The recommendation of the committee was to build on the eastern half of Dunes Meadow Park.

The public outcry was loud, and clearly against moving the station to the park. Next, a homeowner expressed interest in selling property located at 13th and Marion (High Point) for a station. After public education, a community survey was done asking the public to choose a site, ranking the current location first, the park second and High Point third.

As a result of the survey, the High Point location was the No. 1 choice.

Mayor Matt Brown also gained unanimous City Council support for eliminating the park as a location.

In 2019 the City Council adopted Ordinance 924 which created a tsunami overlay zone for land use planning in the city, as recommended by the state of Oregon. This ordinance limits both density and prohibits critical infrastructure built in the tsunami zone. The council again voted unanimously to focus all efforts on High Point.

Unfortunately in 2021, the High Point owners withdrew their offer of sale of the property.

Later in 2021, Cockrum and the council learned of the availability of land at one of the original locations studied, near Highlands Lane. The new owners are requesting annexation of this property into the city. In exchange, the owners agreed to transfer ownership of 4.5 acres of land to the city for a fire/police station and a park. At an elevation of 70 feet, the proposed site is on some of the highest ground in the area. This land is adjacent to the city, and a natural place for Gearhart to grow.

The time is now. The longer we wait, the more this facility will cost. Worse, it could cost more if we do nothing now, experience a disaster and relief efforts are compromised!

Ballot Measure 4-213 is supported by Gearhart’s current and past Mayors: Paulina Cockrum, Matt Brown, Dianne Widdop and Kent Smith.