Best Government/Public Buidlign & Project of the Year Nominee: Willamette National Cemetery – Gravesite Expansion & Cemetery Improvements
Situated on a hilltop with panoramic views of four iconic Northwest mountains, Willamette National Cemetery’s natural landscape both helped and hindered its phased expansion. The design-build project for the Dept. of Veteran Affairs (VA) expanded and improved the cemetery after a 38.2-acre land acquisition. The project developed 20 acres of land to provide 6,650 pre-placed crypt gravesites, 3,500 in-ground cremation gravesites, two columbaria with 13,000 columbarium niches and an ossuary with memorial wall. Overall, the expansion project added 23,150 interment sites for service men and women.