Construction continues to move steadily forward on the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife John Day Watershed Office Improvement Project in John Day, Oregon, with major progress now visible across the site. What began earlier this year with rock excavation and blasting operations has quickly transformed into a nearly completed structure that will soon support ODFW’s regional operations for years to come.

McCormack Construction is serving as the General Contractor for the project, which includes a new approximately 5,500-square-foot office facility, extensive site development, public right-of-way improvements, utilities, paving, sidewalks, landscaping, and a new 40’ x 100’ maintenance shop building.

Early phases of the project required careful coordination around subsurface conditions and rock excavation. Through detailed planning, coordination with engineers and utility providers, and proactive scheduling, the team was able to maintain momentum while safely navigating challenging site conditions. Those early efforts helped establish a strong foundation for the progress now taking shape onsite.

Recent progress photos show the new office facility well underway, with framing, sheathing, and major structural components now in place. Site utilities and infrastructure improvements continue alongside vertical construction, helping keep multiple phases of work advancing in parallel.

As a publicly funded project, the work also requires ongoing coordination with agencies, inspectors, subcontractors, and utility providers while maintaining compliance with prevailing wage and reporting requirements. McCormack’s disciplined approach to communication, sequencing, and field coordination has helped keep the project progressing efficiently throughout construction.

Beyond the construction itself, the project represents an investment in Eastern Oregon’s long-term stewardship of natural resources. Once complete, the upgraded campus will support ODFW staff responsible for fisheries, wildlife habitat management, and field operations throughout the John Day Basin.

This project showcases the level of coordination and problem-solving required to keep complex public works projects moving forward. From early blasting and site preparation to vertical construction and infrastructure improvements, McCormack Construction has managed each phase with a focus on execution, communication, and long-term value for the client and community.

Here’s how we started:

Here is how it’s going: