JULY 2021

• December 2020, a Preliminary Title Report on the VMCC property was prepared by Cascade Title Company.
• January 2021, a topographical survey of the VMCC property was completed by WJ Eimstad Co. The survey revealed that Lane County had constructed the masonry restrooms at Helfrich Landing that 100% encroached on the VMCC property.

The Preliminary Title Report (PTR) confirmed that Lane County did not have an Encroachment Agreement or an Easement from VMCC to build or operate the restrooms.

The well and waterline that is the water source for the VMCC building is on the Lane County Helfrich Landing property. The existing waterline was located and marked out. The waterline travels across the Helfrich Landing asphalt area and then up to the VMCC building.

The PTR shows an easement for the well and waterline recorded in 1950 in favor of the prior owner of the VMCC property, The McKenzie River Club. However, the easement document states that if the McKenzie River Club ever sold the property that the easement would terminate. The McKenzie River Club sold the property to the VMCC in 2001.

Craig contacted the Lane County Land Use Division Manager and made the following proposal: VMCC will grant an easement to Lane County for the use of the restroom building in exchange for Lane County granting a new easement in favor of VMCC for the well, waterline and electrical conduit to run the well.

Lane County accepted the proposal and the documents have been prepared and are out for signature and recording.

• The existing septic tank has been located, pumped and inspected. The tank system has failed. A new septic tank and drain field system will have to be installed. We are in discussions with local septic tank system contractors for a new system.
• Craig is monitoring the completion of the Step 2 cleanup of the VMCC site by the State of Oregon. As soon as Step 2 is completed the State will issue certificate to the VMCC that the property and soil is hazardous material free and the site is ready for rebuilding.
• The project architect, Jesse Elliot of Voussoir Architecture has been authorized to proceed with Design Development and Construction Documents for the new building. When the plans are complete they will be submitted to the Lane County Building Department to obtain the building and engineering permits.

Demolition Day
July 30, 2021
Recovering the Time Capsule

Walls Down — Awaiting Site Cleanup
August 12, 2021

SEPTEMBER 10, 2021
SITE CLEANUP COMPLETE
READY FOR RE-BUILD!

August 2021 Project Update

1.  Septic System
Royal Flush will perform soil percolation tests to finalize location of the new septic tank.  The new tank system application will be submitted to Lane County.  The actual cost or donation of the new system will be negotiated with Royal Flush and Best Septic companies after details are formalized.

2.  Geotech Consultant – Earth Engineers, Inc.
Soil testing for the new foundation will be required.  Test pits will be dug and testing is scheduled for September.  Kruse Excavating will work with the Geotech engineer to dig test pits.

3.  Site Cleared
The ODOT contractor has completed all demolition and site clearing work.  The original septic tank will be filled and decommissioned.  Currently awaiting results of hazardous material soil testing and State of Oregon clearance to rebuild.

4.  Site Layout
The surveyor will stake the new building corners.

5.  Landscaping
Landscape Designer Bill Robinson of Daichi Landscape is working on the landscape design for the property.  A proposal is expected soon.

6.  Propane Backup Generator System
An on-site meeting will be scheduled for September to establish plans for an auto-start backup generator system and a buried propane tank to serve the generator and gas needs for the new building.

7.  Well Easement and Restroom Easement
Documents are expected to be approved by the Lane County Commissioners at their September 21 board meeting.

November/December 2021 Project Update

1. The Lane County Board of Commissioners approved the Easements at their October meeting. Lane County has executed the easements. Both easements were recorded in Lane County on October 12, 2021. The use of the well and waterline serving the VMCC is now permanently in place.

2. The Step 2 cleanup of the VMCC site has now been completed by the State of Oregon. We are now waiting for the state issued certificate that the site is cleared for rebuilding.

3. The Geotech analysis and report has been completed by Earth Engineers Inc. In summary, the soil on the site is good compactible material provided the soil is prepped according to the guidelines in the report.

4. Branch Engineering has been retained by the VMCC as the project civil engineer. Structurally designed retaining walls are now required to support the building and other areas for the site improvements.

5. The VMCC Board is now in the process of interviewing the General Contractor candidates.

December News Flash!
The Board has selected Dorman Construction as the General Contractor!

April 22 Project Update

On the Architectural front, Jesse Elliott reports the following:

I am hopeful that in a week we’ll know more. Right now the budgeting process (aka “buyout”) is underway by Dorman with the various contractors and per Craig’s guidance. When that completes we’ll be in need of a permit to break ground. 

On the permit front, I have only heard the County commercial plans examiner is busy but getting close to ours. The Dept of State Lands is who will make the “wetland” determination, and set this week as the outer end of the range for their visit. With any luck both will clear up next week just in time for some final numbers from Dorman and we can pick a date for breaking ground.

Our Project Manager Craig Gustafson is actively working to complete preparation activities.  Here is what he has to say:

The existing gravel driveway is approximately only 7 feet wide. The new driveway has to be 14 feet wide and will require a retaining wall to support the new driveway. I have met with the adjacent property owner on who’s property the existing and new driveway is on. We are currently working on an easement and improvement agreement that will allow the VMCC to build and maintain the new driveway and retaining wall.

Our General Contractor, Dorman Construction, and myself are in the middle of the “Buyout Phase” for all of the components for the construction of the project.

August 11, 2022: CONSTRUCTION BEGINS!

We’ll build a photographic record of construction using photos taken at roughly weekly intervals. The dates below will link to photos of that date:

August 11, 2022 Construction Begins
August 16, 2022 Starting excavation work and prep for retaining wall along bank