Ideas floated for development around Great Wolf Lodge

A town center near Old Highway 99 and state Route 12 is one of several higher-density ideas pitched in a new draft report on development around the newly opened Great Wolf Lodge.

The town center, including hotels, shops, restaurants and pedestrian-friendly plazas, is part of the first report prepared by consultants for the Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation.

Other high-density options include a civic center, business park, entertainment facilities and highway improvements.

The document, created by Northwest planning consultants Maul Foster Alongi of Vancouver and Portland, was released this week by Thurston County commissioners. "This is the first actual work product that we've seen so far," Don Krupp, the county's chief administrative officer, said, referring to the research that started in the spring.

The tribe, a part-owner of the 43-acre Great Wolf Lodge, also owns six parcels around the resort and within the county's urban growth area. Development would require county officials to authorize zoning changes, said Scott Clark, the county's advance planning manager. "The fact that the tribe is doing an open public process for long-range economic development is a significant step," Clark said.

The tribe will conduct an open house Thursday for the public to review the report and for county and tribal officials to answer questions. The consultants are expected to produce a final report by the end of August.

The report also listed low- and medium-density concepts that did not include substantial commercial or retail development. But more jobs would be created under higher-density options.

The tribe is staying in close communication with the county, which also has a large investment in the area because it operates water and sewer utilities, administers to county residents and maintains the roads.

Clark said the County Planning Commission is scheduled to review the final draft of the plan in September.

He said it was likely that some aspects could require amendments to the county's comprehensive plan. Those would be subject to approval by the county commissioners.

"The tribe has taken a lot of the previous data we did seven or eight years ago and used it as a foundation," Clark added. "They are doing this with the expectation that they and county government will work together in shared mutual interest for the betterment of the community."

Keri Brenner covers Thurston County for The Olympian. She can be reached at 360-754-5435 or kbrenner@theolympian.com.