Published 9:50 am Wednesday, July 22, 2026 By Abigail Jablon
Cannon Beach City Hall is so back … or will be at 8 a.m. on July 27. The offices at City Hall closed July 22 to 24 so everyone can move out of the trailers and into the new and improved building at 163 E Gower Ave. At 4 p.m. on Aug. 6, the City of Cannon Beach will host an open house to show off its new digs.
“Our city staff was housed in an unhealthy building and I, for one, am glad we now have them in what I consider to be a much improved work environment,” said Lisa Kerr, City Council President. “I have had staff members tell me that even moving to the temporary trailers, where they have been housed since the construction started, has improved their health.”
Mayor Barb Knop is also pleased. “Our staff has been resilient and very upbeat about the move into the portables and the public works yard,” Knop said. Now, they are “excited about moving into a new facility. Moves are never easy, but this move will be much easier than the move to the temporary locations.”
Cannon Beach staff members and officials are “clearly looking forward” to the move back, according to City Manager Bruce St. Denis. He said his favorite part of the new building is the council chamber. “It is worthy of the important decisions that are made there,” he said.
Kerr said she loves the “north side where the length of the building gives the feeling of a row of Cannon Beach cottages.” She credited the architectural firm for accomplishing “a utilitarian building” that is “aesthetically pleasing.”
Mayor Barb Knop said the partnerships with the CIDA, Inc. architectural team and P&C Construction have been “very positive and successful.” She’s celebrating the most basic wins. “There are no sloping floors and no peculiar odors,” she said.
Kerr said some members of the public are skeptical about the new structure. Some dislike the location. Others believe it is “too expensive and overbuilt,” and some say it is “too lavish for our small community.” However, she said she thinks they will come around.
“Change is always difficult and this has been no exception,” she said. “I think the majority of residents will eventually embrace the new City Hall and be glad we finally accomplished this long overdue project!”
