Linn County Secondary Road Main Shop Redevelopment

Project Overview

Linn County partnered with Emergent Architecture to design a new consolidated headquarters for the County Engineer’s Office and Secondary Road Main Shop. The project replaces outdated facilities from the 1960s and 1970s with a modern, efficient, and future-ready campus. The 74,825 square foot building brings administrative, maintenance, and fleet operations together in one unified location, improving workflow, safety, and long-term sustainability.

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The Project Team

Gary Landhauser

Principal Architect

Becca Haugen

Interior Design Associate

A group of eleven people in hard hats stand on a construction site in front of a partially built structure, smiling

Spacious construction site interior with bare concrete floor and steel beams. Large windows reveal trucks and autumn trees outside

Construction site with a partially built structure featuring steel framing and concrete walls. Piles of dirt and building materials are scattered under a cloudy sky.

74,825

square feet
$15.7 million

construction cost
In Progress

ongoing construction phase

A Facility Designed for Efficiency

The new steel-frame facility streamlines daily operations by housing office functions, meeting rooms, equipment maintenance, welding areas, vehicle storage, and parts inventory under one roof. The layout improves coordination between engineering staff and road crews, supporting faster response times and stronger communication across departments.

Indoor vehicle storage and a dedicated wash bay extend the life of the county’s fleet, while an overhead crane increases safety and efficiency within mechanical work zones.

Purpose-Built for Public Service
The building’s design enhances how Linn County maintains roads, bridges, and critical public infrastructure.

Key features include:

Dedicated mechanical, welding, and equipment service bays
Indoor fleet storage to protect high-value equipment
An overhead crane for safe handling of heavy components
Improved site circulation for both staff and vehicles
Flexible outdoor storage areas
Coordination with the City of Marion for future water system upgrades

Energy-efficient systems, including geothermal heating and cooling, reduce operational costs and support long-term stewardship.

A Thoughtful Planning Process
Emergent began with a comprehensive site and space needs analysis, evaluating existing buildings and determining the most effective layout for the campus. Schematic designs were refined through collaboration with county leadership and operations staff, ensuring the final plan aligned with daily workflows and long-term goals.

Following public bidding, Larson Construction was awarded the project under budget. Construction is currently underway, with ongoing communication between Emergent and the County to maintain the schedule and quality.

Impact for Linn County
The new headquarters strengthens the County’s ability to deliver reliable, cost-effective public services. By centralizing departments and modernizing facilities, the building improves operational efficiency, enhances staff safety, and supports a proactive approach to infrastructure maintenance.

Designed for durability and future expansion, the new campus positions Linn County to meet evolving transportation and maintenance needs for decades to come.

Aerial view of a modern industrial building with a large, white roof and adjacent parking area. Surrounding areas include greenery and additional structures.

Aerial View of Full Campus. An aerial view of the new consolidated campus highlights streamlined site circulation, expanded operational space, and a future-ready layout.

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A modern reception area with two white curved desks, black monitors, and a colorful wall design. Bright, welcoming atmosphere with overhead lighting.

Reception Area. A welcoming reception space reflects Linn County’s brand identity and provides an organized, approachable front door for the public.

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A modern classroom with white desks and chairs arranged in rows, two blackboards on the wall, and a kitchenette with cabinets.

Classroom / Multi-Purpose Room. A versatile classroom supports workshops, educational sessions, and team briefings, reinforcing the department’s focus on continuous improvement.

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A modern conference room with a long white table surrounded by brown swivel chairs.

Conference Room. A central conference room offers a professional setting for project coordination, stakeholder meetings, and internal planning sessions.

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Modern office interior with rows of white desks and black chairs. Computers on desks.

Open Office Area. The open office layout enhances communication between engineering staff and operations teams while maximizing natural light.

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Modern classroom with two long white tables and white chairs, blue accent wall, ceiling lights, large windows on the left, and a wall-mounted screen.

Large Training Room. A dedicated training room provides flexible configurations for staff development, safety trainings, and department-wide meetings.

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Bright, modern kitchen with white cabinetry, stainless steel appliances, and circular tables with green and white chairs. Large windows let in natural light.

A bright, comfortable break room supports staff wellness with modern amenities and direct access to outdoor space.

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Modern building with large glass windows and a spacious outdoor patio featuring minimalist furniture

An elevated terrace connects indoor training spaces with outdoor seating, offering staff a flexible place to meet, recharge, or collaborate.

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Modern building with a sleek metal facade, large glass doors, and an outdoor patio featuring seating arrangements and potted plants.

The training wing opens to an outdoor patio designed for team gatherings, breaks, and community-focused functions.

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Spacious empty warehouse with dark flooring and high ceilings. Yellow lines mark parking spaces, while sunlight streams through high windows.

A spacious, light-filled shop provides organized storage and efficient circulation for Linn County’s fleet, designed for durability and long-term performance.

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