(Wheeler) — As construction continues on the new Nehalem Bay Health Center and Pharmacy, a project being developed by the Nehalem Bay Health District, the District is pleased to announce that a number of north coast subcontractors are involved in important aspects of the construction.
“With such a significant community project the Health District sought to involve as many local contractors as possible in order to both contribute to the local economy and showcase the quality of services existing close to home,” said Marc C. Johnson, Health District board president.
Johnson said the project’s general contractor, Bremik Construction, has worked diligently to ensure that many local firms are participating in the project.
“The Health District truly appreciates the support and involvement of so many north coast firms and individuals,” Johnson said.
Construction has been underway at the new Health Center site for more than a month with recent milestones including the placement of rammed aggregate piers to ensure a solid foundation under the new building, the placement of underground electrical and plumbing conduits and the construction of forms for a retaining wall along the east side of the new building. Bremik Construction anticipates concrete work to commence in the next several days.
Among the north coast contractors involved in the Health Center and Pharmacy project are:
• JP Plumbing, an Astoria-based plumbing contractor.
• Inland Electric, an electrical contractor with a north coast location in Seaside.
• Cloverdale concrete contractor, Westwind Concrete.
• Olson Asphalt Maintenance, a Seaside firm that will be doing paving and stripping of the parking areas.
• Manzanita Lumber Company, is being utilized for various building supplies.
• Mohler Sand & Gravel is providing concrete and other services.
• And while not technically a sub-contractor on the Health Center project, the Old Wheeler Hotel has become the home away from home for many construction team members from outside the area.
The new Health Center and Pharmacy will replace and substantially expand the existing Health Center in Wheeler and will feature 15 exam rooms and treatment rooms for both medical care and behavioral health, x-ray and dental services, a retail and prescription pharmacy, unit and a community room with teaching kitchen.
The new facility will continue to be a Federally Qualified Health Center, a federal designation for qualifying community-based primary and preventive care facilities that treat all patients regardless of ability to pay or insurance status.
The new 16,000 square foot facility will be owned by the Health District and operated under a lease agreement with the local non-profit Nehalem Bay Health Center and Pharmacy.
Construction is expected to be substantially completed in early September 2025.