City of Tumwater moves ahead on new operations center, park on former horse arena site
It’s been 12 years since planning for a new operations and maintenance facility began in Tumwater. The city collected public feedback at an open house in 2018, but it wasn’t until earlier this month that city officials met with the community again to give an update on the long-awaited development.
According to information provided to those who attended the May 19 community meetings, the city needs a larger facility to house more employees.
In 2014, the city identified a potential site on 79th Avenue in the Bush Prairie area. It was purchased for $800,000 two years later. The property used to be the home of Trails End Arena, a horse riding event center that was demolished by the city in 2018. The demolition cost the city almost $500,000.
City Administrator John Doan said the 21-acre property is larger than what is needed for a new O&M facility, so the city is planning to include a 15-acre neighborhood park.
A relatively large portion of the property will be dedicated to parking as well. According to the information provided at the community meeting, the original concept had 100 parking spaces east of Trails End Drive for staff use. That’s been cut down to 50 in that area and 24 spots have been moved to the west to “accommodate the expected growth of staff over the next 20 to 30 years.”
People visiting the neighborhood park will have to park on the street. There will be a new sidewalk on the north side of 79th Avenue where the park will be located to make it easier for people to walk from their homes. And the sidewalk on the south side of 79th Avenue will be extended to Old Highway 99 after a roundabout at that intersection is completed.
A feasibility study has yet to be conducted, though many elements of one have been done, according to the city. The city of Tumwater hired a consultant in 2016 to identify goals and objectives for the new facility, including preparing cost estimates and minimizing environmental impacts.
According to information provided to the City Council May 24, preliminary planning for the facility and park cost the city $155,000. With a delay in project permitting and a steady increase in construction costs, the project is estimated to cost $32.4 million, with building to start in 2023. That doesn’t include the more than $2.1 million spent so far on the land, demolitions and habitat mitigation credits.
The project is partially being funded through utility rates, after the council agreed to a 1% increase in city utility rates in 2017 and 2018. There were 2% increases in each year from 2019 to 2021, and the 2022 budget included a 2% increase as well. So far, utility dollars have raised $2.7 million toward the project. The city is also using General Fund dollars for the project.
Doan said a Bush Prairie Habitat Conservation Plan has to be completed as part of the feasibility study, because the land is home to an endangered — and protected — pocket gopher species. He said there’s a mitigation site just a few miles down the road they plan to have gophers migrate to.
The city is still working on plans for the neighborhood park, and Chuck Denney, Parks and Recreation director, asked those at the meeting for input. People tossed out theme ideas such as the Wild West and prairies, as well as amenities like trails and gardens.
The new facility will house 36 employees, including one administrative assistant and two managers, according to the city. It will also house 40 vehicles, including 18 pickup trucks, vans and SUVs.
There will also be a community meeting space that can hold up to 30 people that can be reserved outside normal operating hours. More information can be found on the city’s website.
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