Ashland City Hall, located at 20 East Main Street, has served the community for more than a century. The property was deeded to the City of Ashland in 1884 by John R. and Mary Helman. In 1981, the original City Hall was built, and major additions were added in 1913 and 1995.
Over time, City Hall has experienced increasing wear and deferred maintenance that now requires significant attention. Today, those accumulated needs have reached a turning point. In the coming months, City Council will evaluate the future of City Hall and determine the most responsible path forward.
The 2024–2025 Facilities Master Plan identifies the building as being in critical condition and recommends divestment and adaptive reuse. The Plan supports consolidating City services into a unified civic campus to improve public access, enhance operational efficiency and strengthen long-term stewardship of public resources.
Building Issues
Since the mid-1990s, multiple studies have identified significant problems at City Hall, including seismic vulnerabilities, deteriorating unreinforced parapets, inadequate shear walls, knob-and-tube electric, end-of-life roof and HVAC systems and ADA accessibility limitations. These issues affect safety, functionality and long-term usability.
As of February 17, 2026, staff vacated the City Hall building due to newly found structural concerns with the building’s roof following a commercial code inspection. Under the Fire Marshal’s guidance, the building has been temporarily vacated while a licensed engineer conducts a structural assessment.
The forthcoming engineering assessment will help inform future decisions about City Hall. For now, potential approaches include moving City Hall functions to a new location with consolidated city services, rebuilding or significantly redeveloping City Hall where it is currently or maintaining the existing building with bare-necessity improvements. Each option carries financial, operational and logistical considerations, which the City Council will review carefully before making a final determination.
Options for the Future
Consolidating City Services at a modern civic campus
Consolidating City services and staff into a modern, publicly accessible civic campus at a different location could improve operational efficiency, enhance accessibility and support long-term cost control. This option would likely lead the City to lease or sell the current City Hall building without making any major improvements.
Restoration and Reconstruction
This option brings the building up to current standards and improves the usability and functionality of the space. This would likely require partial demolition and reconstruction for seismic upgrades, along with major mechanical, electrical, plumbing and accessibility improvements. As a designated historic resource, such work would require review under the City’s Historic Rehabilitation and Design Standards, including oversight by the State Historic Preservation Office, the City’s Historic Preservation Advisory Committee and potentially the City’s Planning Commission.
In 2020, restoration and partial reconstruction were estimated at $7.2 million; adjusted to 2026 dollars, costs exceed $10 million. A bond to finance the construction needed went before the voters in 2020 but was voted down.
Perform Minimum Maintenance (continue current approach)
To keep using City Hall “as is” will require some immediate maintenance needs estimated between $756,500 and $1,346,000 over the next five years. These figures do not include ADA compliance, seismic upgrades, mechanical, electrical, plumbing improvements or repair items under $1,000. Deferring these other critical upgrades could lead to system failure within a year or significantly higher repair costs down the line.
Complicating the conversation, before City Council determines the long-term direction for City Hall, the City must first secure clear title to the property. It would not be fiscally responsible to make a major taxpayer-funded investment in the building without confirmed ownership.
Current Status of City Hall Title
Before the City makes any major investments into City Hall, the City is seeking a “clean title” to ensure City ownership well into the future. The City of Ashland owns City Hall; however, the property deed includes a reversionary clause stating that if City Hall and the adjoining Plaza cease to be used as a public square, town hall and jail, ownership of the property may revert to the Helman heirs. As a result, the title is encumbered, limiting the City’s flexibility to use, renovate or sell the building.
Although the City Hall contains a historic jail, it has not been used as a jail since the 1970s. This non-use is potentially misaligned with the conditions outlined in the deed. For this reason, the City has initiated a lawsuit and the City Attorney’s Office has been in communication with the Helman heirs and is working with their legal counsel to resolve the title issue. Clearing the title would eliminate the associated deed risk and allow the City to consider infrastructure investments or program changes with greater certainty and flexibility.
The business of the City continues
It is important to remember that City Hall is both a building and a function. While the historic structure has long symbolized local government, the business of the City continues, ensuring that services, operations and public engagement move forward regardless of location.
While the building’s future is under evaluation, the business of the City continues, focused on providing services, maintaining infrastructure and supporting the residents of Ashland. For updates on City Hall or to leave questions or comments, please visit, ashlandoregon.gov/CityHall. You can also stay tuned by attending/watching City Council Regular Business meetings, which take place on the first and third Tuesday of each month; Study Sessions take place the first and third Monday of each month.
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