ASHLAND, Ore. (Feb. 18, 2026) — Ashland City Hall has been vacated by administrative staff after recent inspections determined the building is unsafe for occupancy pending further structural evaluation, city officials said.
The move follows findings from a January Commercial Building Code inspection report and a Fire Marshal’s General Fire Inspection conducted this week. Although the historic building had already been closed to the public — except for limited City Manager and City Council office hours — officials said it has now been deemed unsafe for employees until a licensed structural engineer can assess the facility.
As of Feb. 17, 2026, administrative staff are working remotely while the city’s leadership team works to secure temporary office space. City Manager and Council office hours have been canceled for the week. Updated location information will be posted on the city’s website as it becomes available.
City Hall, located at 20 E. Main St., was originally constructed in 1891 and later expanded in 1913 and 1995. The building totals 7,745 square feet and has served as a center of city government for more than a century.
The property was deeded to the City of Ashland in 1884 by John R. and Mary Helman with conditions that continue to shape its future. The 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 could revert to the Helman heirs.
Although the building includes a historic jail, it has not operated as a jail since the 1970s. City officials said that non-use may conflict with the deed’s stipulations. A lawsuit has been initiated to address the title issue, and the City Attorney’s Office is in communication with the Helman heirs and their legal counsel. Officials said clearing the title would eliminate legal uncertainty and allow the city to consider renovation, reinvestment or program changes with greater flexibility.
The city’s Facilities Master Plan previously identified City Hall as being in critical condition. In addition to structural concerns, major cost drivers include a needed roof replacement, aging HVAC equipment that relies on R-22 refrigerant, electrical system upgrades and seismic vulnerabilities associated with unreinforced masonry construction.
Officials said deferring maintenance has increased the likelihood of higher near- and mid-term costs as components of the building approach failure.
City Hall currently houses a limited number of employees, with other city services operating from multiple locations throughout Ashland. The building’s condition and long-term viability have been the subject of public discussion for decades, with the City Council reviewing options periodically as part of broader facilities planning efforts.
The Facilities Master Plan outlines several potential options for the building’s future. The City Council is expected to determine a path forward after reviewing structural findings and considering operational needs, community priorities and financial impacts.
City officials said updates regarding the engineer’s evaluation and temporary office arrangements will be released as more information becomes available.
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