Ashland Fire & Rescue training at Cascade Complex for a few weeks; site expected to be ready to begin redevelopment — possibly as a senior living facility — by summer 2025, with completion possible by 2027

By Holly Dillemuth, Ashland.news

A dispatch could be heard outside Forest Hall on Wednesday morning declaring a structure fire with entrapment at the corner of Bridge and Indiana streets near Southern Oregon University. 

Ashland Fire & Rescue Battalion Chief Todd Stubbs, located outside the building scheduled for demolition, responded calmly over the air waves, awaiting the arrival of firefighters on scene to what was actually not a real fire, but a training in progress. Firefighters brought hose down the hill and into Forest Hall, testing out their skills on the former dormitory. 

The Cascade complex, which was completed in 1967, according to a SOU news release, has been largely vacant for the past decade, when the costs associated with extending its useful life became prohibitive. The facility, which holds eight residence halls situated around a central cafeteria, has numerous roof leaks, defunct HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) and steam systems, and degraded plumbing. At least two of its wings are condemned.

The 2021 Oregon State Legislature allocated $3.5 million for SOU to raze the Cascade Complex, which will eliminate a $12 million deferred maintenance backlog on the facility — the amount it would cost to correct its current physical deficits, according to SOU. 

Some interior destruction is underway this summer and fall, and general demolition is expected to begin in early 2025, according to a news release. The project will include concrete crushing to fill and level the basement and old tunnels that were used for the structure’s mechanical systems.

“They served their purpose and their time,”  Deputy Chief Marshall Rasor said Wednesday morning of the defunct buildings.

He noted that the trainings will now serve as the dormitories’ “final hurrah” before they are demolished.

SOU President Rick Bailey and other SOU leaders have begun exploratory conversations with potential private partners for the development of a senior living facility to be built at the Cascade complex location. 

The senior living center is seen as an entrepreneurial opportunity to create synergy between its residents, SOU students, the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at SOU and the university. The facility could be completed as early as fall 2027.

“Training in Progress” signs are in place around the 5-acre parcel at the southeast corner of campus. SOU programs and offices near the Cascade Complex have been advised to expect the frequent presence of first responders in the area. 

Crews started fire training at the site on July 15. Intermittent training was originally scheduled until Aug. 31, but that may be extended into mid-September, according to Tom McGowan of Ashland Fire & Rescue.

“The opportunity to get hands-on training with facilities and structures doesn’t happen often, so we do our best to try to create … situations to replicate what would likely occur,” McGowan said in a phone interview with Ashland.news.

McGowan and Stubbs were on site on Wednesday to facilitate the training for about 10 personnel.

Crew members practiced making forcible entry and deploying fire hose into the building. During upcoming trainings, they will also practice ladder work and search and rescue.

Some exercises will include fire simulation using synthetic smoke. 

Stubbs, who started as a firefighter with Phoenix Fire, helped facilitate the training on Wednesday.

“I think most of us in the fire service have this attitude that learning is something that you’re always going to be doing,” Stubbs said. “You’re always training, you’re always sort of developing your skills. To be in the fire service, if you don’t have that attitude, you’re not going to last long. Then you start teaching so you kind of develop who you are as you go.”

McGowan noted that Ashland doesn’t have its own facility to host fire trainings, so the opportunities provided by SOU will allow for larger collaborative training, too. 

“If time allows, because of it being fire season … we’ll structure a training to bring all the crews in together and then, potentially, Fire District (No.) 5, our mutual aid fire department, to do a multi-company drill,” McGowan said.

Ashland Fire & Rescue issued a press release about the training and has been working with SOU Campus Safety to ensure individuals are aware of the exercises. But some passersby are still finding out about them.

Michele Alspach, who rents out a space at a house on Oregon Street, is one of them. The space looks across the street at Forest Hall.  

Alspach heard some commotion on Wednesday morning and decided to check it out.

“I thought, ‘Oh no, maybe something caught fire,’” Alspach said.

Rasor was quick to explain to her that a training was underway and not to be alarmed.

Alspach hinted that the Cascade Complex has seen better days and said she believes the demolition will be a good thing.

Rasor said there can be mixed reactions when fire training occurs, but that most are simply curious.

“Sometimes (people) get worried … they’re very sensitive of the presence of emergency vehicles,” Rasor said. “Others are just delighted to see us all out here.”

Fire personnel praised SOU for its partnership and cooperation in allowing the training prior to demolition of the buildings.

“They take great care of us,” McGowan said. “They put significant effort into helping us in every way they can.”

Robert Gibson, director of SOU’s Campus Public Safety & Parking, shared similar sentiments in a news release issued by SOU.

“This collaboration helps foster our relationships with our first responders and provide them with the opportunity to gather data and experience on the tactics and tools they use to keep our community safe,” Gibson said.

Anyone with concerns or questions is encouraged to call Ashland Fire & Rescue at 541-482-2770.

Reach Ashland.news reporter Holly Dillemuth at [email protected].