During the next several years various discussions were held and studies conducted to assess the cost feasibility of the projected move and determine its impact on park operations and facilities. On July 27, 1961, Superintendent Yeager submitted his analysis of the move, concluding that the office consolidation should take place. In his analysis Yeager addressed the issue of employee morale amid winter hiving conditions:
In general I find very little opposition to winter hiving conditions in the park. This is especially true of those families living in the new two-story multiple unit quarters where the living area is on the second floor. In most all cases where resentment of winter living exists, it is due to crowded substandard residences. Even so, employee and employee family morale is as high as it has been in other parks where I have lived. I do not believe the winter snow condition adversely affects morale any more here than the continued desert temperatures or continual overcast weather affects the morale in Lake Mead, Mount Rainier, or Glacier. It does depress a few individuals but not the group as a whole.
Yeager continued his analysis by listing five reasons why he supported the consolidation:
- Munson Valley was by far the best location from an operational standpoint since more than one-third of the permanent park staff would have to be kept there in any event.
- It was established policy to keep the park road to the rim open for winter visitors and winter visitation was increasing.
- Office consolidation would make park operations more efficient since the park administrative officer and personnel assistant kept their offices in Medford year-round, thus depriving the superintendent of their services and assistance during the season of highest park activity.
- Consolidation would result in reduced operations costs.
- The park organization was small and could best be operated from one point with essential protection facilities dispersed where necessary.
Before the move could be completed, however, Yeager stated that fourteen new living units would have to be constructed.
Yeager considered the location of a consolidated park headquarters at the south entrance. His studies, however, revealed that snow depth there normally reached five feet, which he found to be “too much to relieve snow removal costs and living conditions” in comparison with Munson Valley.
Park headquarters at Munson Valley became the year-round administrative headquarters for the park on September 8, 1964. The Medford office, which had served as the winter headquarters of the park, was closed and all personnel from that office were assigned to park headquarters. As part of this move the General Services Administration sold the government residence in Medford in April 1965.
