Horizon Step Center for Independent Living

 
McCormack Construction partnered with Horizon Project Inc. on the interior remodel of the Horizon Step Center for Independent Living in Hermiston, Oregon. The $660,000 project was completed in 2023 under the leadership of Terri Silvis, Horizon Project CEO, and represents a meaningful investment in services for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Horizon Project provides support and opportunities for personal growth, integration, and independence while offering professional development for care staff.
 
The project involved a complete interior remodel of a 1,742-square-foot existing building located at 125 SE 4th Street. McCormack served as CM/GC, transforming an old retail space into a functional center designed to support the daily operations and programming needs of the Horizon Step Center. The facility was tailored to ensure accessibility, safety, and an environment conducive to independence and personal growth for clients with developmental disabilities.
 
Key challenges included working with an outdated retail space where numerous self-performed renovations did not meet International Building Code standards. Bringing the facility into compliance while maintaining the project budget and timeline required careful planning and execution. Additionally, construction took place adjacent to an active business with heavy traffic, necessitating careful coordination to minimize disruption and ensure safety for neighboring operations and the public.
 
To address these challenges, McCormack worked closely with Horizon Project to ensure accurate programming and facility flow aligned with operational requirements. Massive value engineering efforts during pre-construction helped control costs while meeting code compliance and functional needs. The team maintained strict adherence to the four-month schedule and established effective communication channels with the owner throughout the construction process to address issues promptly and keep the project on track.
 
The Horizon Step Center for Independent Living was completed on time and under budget, solidifying a strong relationship with Horizon Project. The success of this project led to Horizon Project awarding McCormack a subsequent 22-unit apartment complex project in Hermiston. For McCormack Construction, this project demonstrates expertise in adaptive reuse and code compliance while supporting organizations that serve vulnerable populations in the community.