As population growth continues, public entities are under increasing pressure to balance development, affordability and infrastructure readiness. While it is no easy task to juggle all those factors, it’s often made more complicated as cities work within tight timelines, limited staffing and strict funding requirements tied to state and federal grants.
The city of Cottage Grove, Oregon, faced this exact struggle. With a population of 10,600, the city has experienced an increasing demand for housing, especially affordable housing, while also needing to ensure their essential utilities can support future growth.
To address the need for growth, the city purchased 61 acres of land for long-term development. It designated 35 acres for housing development and 26 for future commercial use.
Initial challenges
Cottage Grove Public Works Director Faye Stewart says the city estimates 275 to 300 residences will be developed on the site. The project will include a mix of market-rate single-family homes, multifamily residences and affordable housing.
While the land acquisition created opportunity, it also introduced a challenge. Due to the site’s elevation and distance from existing utilities, gravity sewer service was not an option. Instead, wastewater would need to be pumped to an existing public gravity main located at a nearby road.
Funding and deadlines
To support the project, the city of Cottage Grove applied for a state grant. The city was awarded $3 million in 2024. The funding was designated for essential infrastructure improvements, including the installation of water, sewer and stormwater systems to serve the new development.
As with many public infrastructure grants, the funding came with a firm deadline. To remain eligible, the city was required to complete the work by June 30, 2025.
The city worked closely with its acting city engineer, Branch Engineering, to develop a plan for its water infrastructure that could meet the technical requirements and the funding timeline. Julie Leland, principal engineer for Branch Engineering, says the project went from design to having infrastructure installation complete in less than a year.
“The contractor, Babb Construction and Romtec did an amazing job completing onsite work in less than five months, three of them in late winter and spring,” Leland says.
Preengineered solution
Romtec Utilities, a designer and supplier of site-specific packaged pumping systems, was brought in early to collaborate with Branch Engineering and city staff. All parties met to look at the existing system and review city requirements.
Based on those discussions, Romtec Utilities designed and prefabricated a complete wastewater pump station tailored to the city’s specifications. The packaged system included Flygt pumps and controls — as requested by the city of Cottage Grove.
A key advantage to the city of Cottage Grove was its participation in the SourceWell cooperative purchasing agreement. Through SourceWell, the city was able to directly award the design and supply of the lift station to Romtec Utilities.
“This saved approximately two months on the purchase timeline, allowing the purchase to be eligible with state funding,” says Stewart.
Changing circumstances
By June 30, 2025, the city completed the required infrastructure work and successfully ordered the prepackaged lift station. Shortly after the work was complete, however, the Oregon Legislature extended the grant deadline by an additional two years.
The extension allowed the city to apply remaining grant funds for the installation of the pump system, which will take place in the summer of 2026.
“The original intent was to purchase a lift station and have it installed at a later date when the city had the resources for the install,” Stewart explains.
Building for the future
Beyond housing, the development is expected to bring additional benefits to the Lane County community. Leland says there are plans for new green space and the potential for commercial development.
For public entities like Cottage Grove, this project makes it clear that early collaboration, flexible procurement strategies and prefabricated pump systems can be a difference maker when timelines are tight and funding requirements are nonnegotiable.
As cities nationwide face similar challenges, Cottage Grove’s experience highlights how innovative approaches to wastewater infrastructure can support growth while adhering to strict requirements and specifications.
