Kam Wah Chung expansion project in Oregon on hold

Budget shortfall forces state parks department to pause $4.5 million expansion plan for historic site

Mar. 26, 2026 at 2:00am

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The planned $4.5 million expansion of the Kam Wah Chung State Heritage site in John Day, Oregon has been put on hold by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department due to a $14 million budget shortfall. The expansion project, which was approved by the state legislature in 2021, is now frozen with no timeline for when work might resume.

Why it matters

The Kam Wah Chung site is an important historical landmark that preserves the legacy of the Chinese immigrant community in eastern Oregon. The planned expansion would have added new interpretive areas, community spaces, and improved visitor amenities, but the state's budget challenges have forced a pause in the project.

The details

The expansion project was set to add a new 10,000-square-foot building to the heritage site, which would have housed expanded exhibits, classrooms, restrooms, storage, and office space. Additional walking paths and improved parking were also planned. However, the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department announced in November 2025 that the project would be paused due to a $14 million budget shortfall from decreases in lottery revenue.

  • In 2021, the Oregon Legislature approved funding for the $4.5 million Kam Wah Chung expansion project.
  • In mid-November 2025, the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department announced the project would be paused due to budget constraints.

The players

Kam Wah Chung State Heritage Site

A historic site in John Day, Oregon that preserves the legacy of the Chinese immigrant community in the region.

Oregon Parks and Recreation Department

The state agency responsible for managing Oregon's parks and heritage sites, including the Kam Wah Chung site.

Marin Aurand

The curator of the Kam Wah Chung museum, who is hoping to see the expansion project restarted despite the current pause.

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What they’re saying

“I'm fighting every day to get it restarted. It will be good for the community.”

— Marin Aurand, Curator, Kam Wah Chung Museum

What’s next

There is no clear timeline for when the Kam Wah Chung expansion project may resume, as it is dependent on the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department resolving its current budget shortfall.

The takeaway

The pause on the Kam Wah Chung expansion highlights the challenges that historic sites and cultural institutions can face when state budgets are constrained. The local community is eager to see the project move forward, but the timeline remains uncertain until the department's financial situation improves.