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Building with Salem, Not Just in Salem
Oakline at Mill Creek is more than a development project. As the planning process begins, Verrus is committed to being a responsible, accessible and engaged community partner through construction and long-term operation of the campus.
That starts with listening, sharing information as it becomes available and creating meaningful opportunities for Salem residents and community leaders to help shape how Oakline contributes to the community.
Get Involved
Community engagement will continue throughout the planning and permitting process. Oakline will host and participate in opportunities for residents, businesses and community organizations to learn more, ask questions and share feedback.
Upcoming Events
Stay Informed About Future Events!
Planning is underway for a series of community engagement opportunities, with the first meeting anticipated in August. We expect to share more information at the July 27 City Council meeting, with additional details posted here as plans are confirmed.
Have a Question or Comment?
Community feedback is welcome at every stage of the project. Use the Stay Informed form to ask a question, share a concern or sign up for project updates. A member of the project team will follow up directly.
Investing in Salem for the Long Term
Verrus is committed to working with local residents and organizations to identify investments that respond to Salem’s priorities and create lasting community value.
As the project advances, this page will include additional information about community partnerships, philanthropic efforts and the development of a community benefits agreement.
These commitments will be shaped through continued conversations with community members and local partners. Updates will be shared as plans are developed and agreements are finalized.
From Early Planning to Long-Term Operations
Oakline is being developed as a genuine partnership with the City of Salem and local community members – not a finished plan we are presenting. The review process and community conversation are just beginning, and we want to get it right together.
Oakline is in the early stages of a multiyear development process. Each phase includes engineering, environmental review, coordination with public agencies and opportunities for community engagement. The following timeline represents the anticipated development process and is subject to change. Specific dates, designs and project details will be updated as site plan advances and the project moves through City review and permitting.
Opportunities for public engagement and feedback will also be added to the project calendar and timeline as they are scheduled.
Early Site Evaluation
2024–2025
The development team began evaluating the Mill Creek Corporate Center site and discussing preliminary project requirements with local economic development, utility and City partners.
Preliminary Planning and Design
2025–2026
Early design work, technical studies and pre-application meetings helped the team better understand the site, City requirements and important community considerations.
Community Introduction and Application
Q3 2026
Oakline was introduced publicly earlier than is typical for a project at this stage. Community engagement begins while the design is still developing, and the project team submits materials for the City of Salem’s review.
City Review and Continued Design
2026-2027
The City reviews the application through its established land use and permitting processes. Project plans continue to be refined in response to technical analysis, regulatory requirements and community feedback.
Construction
2027-2029
Our Commitment to Transparency
Sharing Information Earlier
Confidentiality agreements are common during the earliest stages of complex development projects, often when multiple sites are still being evaluated and many details remain undecided. Agreements with the City of Salem and SEDCOR allowed Verrus to explore whether the Mill Creek site as an appropriate location for the project before a formal application was submitted.
During that time, Verrus met with SEDCOR, City staff, and other critical stakeholders to discuss the site, development requirements, water use, preliminary design and the application process.
A Different Approach
Verrus voluntarily lifted the confidentiality agreements in July 2026 – much earlier than is typical so the community could learn about the project and provide feedback while plans are still being developed.
That means many details remain preliminary and may change as community engagement, engineering, design and permitting advance. Verrus will continue to explain meaningful changes and update this website as new information becomes available.
What Happened Before the Public Announcement?
The timeline below summarizes the project team’s pre-application meetings and coordination with the City of Salem, SEDCOR and other partners.
2024: Initial Site Conversations | Verrus began discussing the Mill Creek Corporate Center site with Portland General Electric and SEDCOR, including whether the location could support a next-generation data center campus. |
Early 2025: Preliminary Evaluation | The development team began evaluating the property and preparing early concepts. Confidentiality agreements were established while the feasibility of the site was still being assessed. |
Spring and Summer 2025: City Coordination | Verrus began meeting with City of Salem staff to understand the development process and discuss preliminary questions related to the site, water, conservation areas and early design considerations. |
Late 2025 and Early 2026: Design Refinement | The team continued technical coordination with the City, reviewed outstanding application questions and updated preliminary site plans based on additional information and feedback. |
2026: Earlier Public Engagement | Verrus voluntarily lifted the confidentiality agreements and introduced Oakline while the project was still being designed. This allows community questions and priorities to be considered earlier in the process rather than after plans are complete. |
2024: Initial Site Conversations
Verrus began discussing the Mill Creek Corporate Center site with Portland General Electric and SEDCOR, including whether the location could support a next-generation data center campus.
Early 2025: Preliminary Evaluation
The development team began evaluating the property and preparing early concepts. Confidentiality agreements were established while the feasibility of the site was still being assessed.
Spring and Summer 2025: City Coordination
Verrus began meeting with City of Salem staff to understand the development process and discuss preliminary questions related to the site, water, conservation areas and early design considerations.
Late 2025 and Early 2026: Design Refinement
The team continued technical coordination with the City, reviewed outstanding application questions and updated preliminary site plans based on additional information and feedback.
2026: Earlier Public Engagement
Verrus voluntarily lifted the confidentiality agreements and introduced Oakline while the project was still being designed. This allows community questions and priorities to be considered earlier in the process rather than after plans are complete.
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