Madras city leaders are making a move they hope will eventually put roofs over more heads. The Madras City Council is voting this week on a $59,000 grant to fund the design of a new 12-inch waterline near downtown — a project they say is a prerequisite for high-density residential development in the heart of the city.
The vote comes as Madras grapples with a housing shortage that mirrors pressures felt across Central Oregon. City officials have identified infrastructure — specifically water system capacity — as a key bottleneck preventing the kind of dense, walkable housing that would serve lower- and middle-income residents.
Why a Waterline?
High-density housing projects, including multi-story apartment complexes and mixed-use buildings, require larger water supply infrastructure than the lines currently serving much of the downtown core. Without a 12-inch main in place, developers face significant hurdles getting projects approved and financed.
The grant would fund the engineering and design phase. A construction grant or bond measure would likely follow if the design phase moves forward successfully. City officials see this as an early but essential step in a multi-year housing plan.
The project fits into broader efforts to modernize Madras infrastructure while managing growth responsibly — a balance that has challenged Jefferson County communities as the region has grown.
Context: Housing Pressures in Jefferson County
Jefferson County has seen consistent population growth over the past decade, with demand for affordable housing outpacing supply. Madras, as the county seat, bears the brunt of that pressure. Rents have risen, vacancy rates have dropped, and the city has struggled to attract development without the infrastructure to support it.
The $59,000 is a relatively modest investment with outsized implications: a well-designed waterline in the right corridor could make a dozen or more housing development sites viable that are currently off the table.
The waterline discussion comes just as the city is also working to finalize its new city administrator hire — Brenda Fahey, approved by council Monday night — giving city government momentum heading into the second half of 2026.
The council’s vote on the waterline grant is expected to be taken at the same June 23 meeting or in an upcoming session. The Madras Bulletin will follow the outcome.