Nehalem Bay Health District

09/01/2026

Environmental remediation is continuing this week at the old Rinehart Memorial Hospital in Wheeler.

Crews from Rose City Contractors are carefully removing flooring containing asbestos and they are preparing to remove several window frames that also contain asbestos. Heating pipes and lead paint removal will be next.

The remediation plan prepared by Apex Environmental was approved by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, and the work is being paid for thanks to a grant from Business Oregon’s brownfield fund that is designated for just this kind of work.

Environmental cleanup of the old hospital, built in the early 1950’s, is a necessary step to eventual demolition and redevelopment of the area.

The Nehalem Bay Health District owns the building and property and hopes to redevelop the site to provide a small, community appropriate housing development geared to support health care and other essential workers. Planning for the housing initiative continues. More on that soon as the District works with the city of Wheeler, neighbors and a housing development consultant to flesh out a workable plan.

08/31/2026

PUBLIC NOTICE

Nehalem Bay Health District
Work Session

2:00 PM, Wednesday, September 2, 2026
Location: Zoom remote video conferencing

These meetings are open to the public.

The Zoom link can also be accessed at the Health District website

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87491213087?pwd=U73se6EF6wlotoL9UarDoXGnl3V7jI.1

For general questions, to request meeting information
or if you require communication assistance or accommodation please contact: [email protected] or call 503-368-5119

AGENDA

1. Call to Order

2. Board work session on the Nehalem Valley Care Center renovation project

3. Public comment

4. Adjourn

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08/25/2026

PUBLIC NOTICE

Nehalem Bay Health District
Board Work Session

10:00 AM, Friday, August 28, 2026
Location: Zoom remote video conferencing

These meetings are open to the public.

The Zoom link can also be accessed at the Health District website

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87884020044?pwd=q7LSGEpItsLTydr8ucUi0zKTvNoG4F.1

For general questions, to request meeting information
or if you require communication assistance or accommodation please contact: [email protected] or call 503-368-5119

AGENDA

1. Call to Order

2. The board will receive a design presentation from Scott Edwards Architects related to the Nehalem Valley Care Center renovation project

3. Public comment

4. Adjourn

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08/24/2026

August 24, 2026

An update ...

Water Damage at Nehalem Bay Health Center and Pharmacy Fully Repaired

(Wheeler) – The failure of a plumbing connection at the Nehalem Bay Health Center & Pharmacy (NBHCP) on May 12, 2026 resulted in considerable damage to flooring, dry wall and some equipment, but as of the last week of July all repair and restoration work has been completed.

The Nehalem Bay Health District, owner of the facility, expresses its appreciation to the community for its patience and understanding during as restoration, and extends thanks to the management and staff of the NBHCP, as well as Bremik Construction and its subcontractors for the tremendous effort and teamwork required to return the facility to “as new” condition.

All flooring material other than tile on the first floor of the facility had to be replaced, and the same carpet and vinyl flooring that was originally installed was utilized. Dry wall that suffered water damage was removed, replaced and repainted. Two rooms, an exam room and a rest room, received the most serious damage as a result of the water release and repairing those rooms involved new ceilings and case work, as well as flooring. The spectacular collection of Oregon artwork, some of which had to temporarily removed, has been reinstalled.

A remarkable effort was required by NBHCP management and staff, working with contractors, to schedule and preform the restoration work in order to minimize to the extent possible impact on patients and pharmacy operations.

“Certainly no one expects or plans for such a significant water release in a health care facility, but it is a testament to the resilience and cooperation of the community that the Nehalem Bay Health Center & Pharmacy was returned to ‘as new’ condition as quickly as humanly possible,” said Marc C. Johnson, president of the Health District.

Johnson said in addition to acknowledging management and staff of NBHCP for their efforts the Health District board expresses it’s great thanks to the City of Wheeler, particularly its public works department, and personnel from Nehalem Bay Fire and Rescue who were outstanding first responders and assisted in minimizing water damage.

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08/12/2026

Old Wheeler Hospital Sale a Roaring Success

The recent surplus, salvage and vintage sale at the old Harvey Rinehart Memorial Hospital in Wheeler was a great success. The Nehalem Bay Health District extends its thanks to the community
and visitors who visited the sale where many found useful items and individual treasures.

Thanks as well to volunteers who assisted with the sale.

The sale helped facilitate recycle and reuse of hundreds of items, many in the old hospital for years, that needed to be removed to allow environmental remediation that is scheduled to begin mid-
August.

Many residents and visitors dropped in on the sale to share stories and reminisce about the community hospital that operated in Wheeler from 1955 to 1989.

One man’s grandfather was the hospital’s first maintenance man. Others were born in the hospital or remembered loved one who received care there. A brother and sister (on different days) shared that they used to have wheelchair races on the basement level hallway, wheelchairs then being wicker.

A lifelong community member shared she was born in the hospital and her father died in the hospital. She remembered his room number, and when asked if she’d like a picture standing beside the door which is still numbered 210. She did. We were honored to oblige.

A local resident moved us with another beautiful story. She was awarded a Rinehart Hospital scholarship to study nursing. When she completed her studies, she returned and served for 17 years
as a surgical nurse.

There will likely be a second sale following environmental remediation work to remove asbestos material and lead paint. The Health District hopes that sinks, light fixtures and other material may eventually find a second, useful home. More details on those possibilities at a later date.

The Health District has long contemplated redeveloping the old hospital site for community housing that can help address the chronic shortage of housing especially for health care and other
essential workers. The District has received a Tillamook County Housing Commission grant to allow further planning for that project.

Thanks to all who supported the sale and shared memories of the hospital. And the Health District board extends a very special thanks to Jessi Just who organized, curated and publicized the sale helping ensure its success.

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08/10/2026

PUBLIC NOTICE

Nehalem Bay Health District
Special Board Meeting

2:00 PM, Wednesday, August 12, 2026

Location: Zoom remote video conferencing
These meetings are open to the public.
The Zoom link can also be accessed at the Health District website

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85811209782?pwd=cAaaHa9f5XpJ5DSSdlbjDGFs68aAjC.1

For general questions, to request meeting information
or if you require communication assistance or accommodation please contact: [email protected] or call 503-368-5119

AGENDA

1. Call to Order

2. Board consideration of evaluation team recommendation for an Owner’s Representative for the Nehalem Valley Care Center renovation project

3. Adjourn

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07/21/2026

Historic hospital in Wheeler to offer vintage fixtures and furnishings

(Wheeler) - Artists, antiques dealers, contractors restoring old homes, and investors in unique collectables will find items they need and their customers want for sale at the old hospital in Wheeler from July 31 to August 2.

Opened in 1955, closed as a hospital in 1989, and operated primarily for office and storage space through 2025, furniture and various fixtures remain in the old hospital, but now must be removed to facilitate environmental remediation work.

The Nehalem Bay Health District, owner of the hospital building, has gathered the most valuable objects from those heritage years to offer at bargain prices.

The historic hospital salvage sale will take place from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm from July 31 through August 2 at 278 Rowe Street in Wheeler. Follow signs from Highway 101 up Hospital Road. Free parking on site. Level access from the parking lot through an open bay door. Sale areas will be clearly marked, and not all rooms of the building will be open to the public. All proceeds from sales will support the District’s operations.

Items are available for sale in advance of environmental remediation work at the old hospital that is scheduled to begin in mid-August. The old hospital is in deteriorated condition, and the District has deemed the building unsuitable for further use. The Health District recently declared the items for sale to be surplus.

The Health District eventually plans to demolish the old hospital with the hope of repurposing the property to create workforce housing, particularly for health care and other essential workers, in order to ease the area’s chronic housing shortage.

The Nehalem Bay Heath District has served the health and senior care needs of north Tillamook County residents and visitors since 1951. The District owns the new Nehalem Bay Health Center and Pharmacy, as well as the Nehalem Valley Care Center, a skilled nursing facility adjacent to the old hospital. Renovation planning of the Care Center is currently underway with significant upgrades to the facility scheduled for early in 2027.

07/20/2026

PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE

Nehalem Bay Health District’s
Meeting of the Wheeler Care Center, LLC
Wednesday, July 22, 2026 – 3:00 pm

This meeting is open to the public and those interested can attend via Zoom video conferencing.

For questions, other information or if you require communication assistance or accommodation please contact: [email protected] or call 503-368-5119

Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84690019758
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Agenda

1. Call to order

2. Consent agenda
- June board meeting minutes

3. Care Center Management Report
- Monthly operational and financial report
- OHA grant update

4. Care Center renovation update

5. Public comment

6. Items for the good of the order

7. Adjournment

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06/15/2026

The Nehalem Valley Care Center in Wheeler, Oregon recently hosted a pre-bid site visit for contractors interested in the renovation of the north coast skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility.

Planning and procurement for the project is rapidly moving ahead and we will continue to provide updates on this critical project as progress continues.

06/08/2026

June 8, 2026

Health District Issues Care Center RFP for Construction Management/General Contractor

(Wheeler) – The Nehalem Bay Health District has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for construction management and general contractor services related to the renovation of the region’s only skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility in Wheeler, Oregon.

The successful proposer will join the District’s team working on the renovation of the Nehalem Valley Care Center, a skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility, and the only facility of its kind on the Oregon coast between Astoria and Newport.

Notice of the availability of the RFP was advertised in the Daily Journal of Commerce on June 5, the standard Oregon site for solicitations of construction services. The RFP is also posted on the District’s website.

The current renovation plan included major upgrades to mechanical, electric and plumbing infrastructure at the Care Center, new flooring, lighting, additions of shower and hygiene rooms, painting and more. The design work for the project is being done by Scott Edwards Architects, the Portland firm that designed the new Nehalem Bay Health Center and Pharmacy. Subject to available funding a second phase of renovation may follow.

“The renovation is designed to extend the useful life of the facility far into the future,” said Health District president Marc C. Johnson, “as well as enhance the care and living experience for residents and the working environment for staff.”

The Health District has made a priority of improving local health and senior care on the north coast and has received extensive support from the community, from the Oregon congressional and Tillamook County legislative delegations, from Oregon foundations and many individual contributors.

The Nehalem Valley Care Center was built in the early 1980’s and remains a vital community asset. The building was constructed with all private rooms, a highly desirable feature in such facilities, but has long needed upgrades and improvements.

Over the last 18 months the Care Center laundry room was updated with new equipment and flooring, and new water heaters were installed in the building. Foundation settling in an area of the south wing of the building was stabilized and leveled preparing this area to be renovated in a second phase of the project.

Phase one of the Care Center renovation, estimated at approximately $3 million, will be financed by local general obligation bond funding that was overwhelmingly approved by District voters in 2023, as well as by funding from the Oregon legislature, private foundations and other donations.

Under the current timeline planning for the renovation, including permitting from Tillamook County and the state of Oregon, will continue through the summer and fall with construction commencing very early in 2027.

If you have questions about the renovation or wish to participate in some way, including contributing to various aspect of the project please let the District now by email at: [email protected]

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