Thursday, October 1, 2026
Sidewalk and accessibility improvements at Huntamer Park stand to receive the largest share of funding under the City of Lacey’s 2026 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) draft plan.
The Lacey City Council reviewed the draft plan at a work session at City Hall on Tuesday, July 14.
Staff proposes using $303,749 in CDBG funding for the project at the 1.5-acre park in the Midtown District, as part of a larger $1.6 million renovation expected to be paid for by multiple funding sources.
Huntamer Park last underwent major improvements in 2005. New mixed-use and residential development has since expanded around the park, and about 8,200 square feet of pavement now contains cracks, lifted concrete and potholes, according to a project map included in the draft plan.
The renovation also includes upgrades to the plaza, water feature, landscaping, pathways, pedestrian lighting and site furnishings. CDBG funding would cover only the sidewalk and accessibility portion of the project.
Huntamer Park, which is located at 618 Woodland Square Loop SE, is named for former Lacey Mayor Thomas W. Huntamer, who was also a member of the first city council.
The city receives annual funding through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) CDBG program under a three-year spending plan the council adopted for 2025-27.
Lacey expects a 2026 allocation of $337,498. That amount would be added to $348,393 left from prior years for a total of $685,891.
City staff has estimated about $342,945 for 2027, although Human Services Coordinator Michelle Chavez said Congress has not approved a federal budget, meaning the figure subject to change.
If the Huntamer Park project does not move forward, the draft plan identifies expansion of the Virgil S. Clarkson Senior Center parking lot by about 50 spaces, along with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) improvements, as the backup project. Preliminary costs are estimated between $1 million and $2 million.
Staff also recommend setting aside $33,749, or 10 percent of the annual allocation, for administration and planning, including environmental review and federal reporting. HUD allows jurisdictions to spend up to 20 percent of an allocation on administrative costs.
Chavez said federal housing program uncertainty factored into staff's recommendation to keep CDBG funding on city-owned capital projects instead of opening the program to nonprofit applicants.
“There’s been a ton of litigation from different jurisdictions to HUD, and by putting the dollars towards capital, it’s less risky in this environment,” Chavez said.
Deputy Mayor Malcolm Miller asked whether the city plans to open CDBG funding to nonprofit organizations after the current three-year plan expires in 2027.
Chavez said staff recommend focusing on capital projects during the plan’s first years because of limited administrative capacity and changing federal requirements.
Chavez confirmed CDBG funding can be used to match other federal or state grants, in response to a question from Miller.
Council member Maren Turner questioned whether expanding parking at the senior center addressed the underlying need and suggested a shuttle service for large events instead. Chavez said CDBG funding cannot pay for vehicles, but said the city could pursue the idea through a separate partnership.
The Human Services Commission held public hearings on the draft plan on June 4 and July 2. A 30-day public comment period ran from June 2 through July 1, and closed without receiving public comments.
Staff consulted more than 16 agencies and boards while preparing the plan and referenced 13 regional planning documents. Outreach also included 11 focus groups, two newspaper advertisements and an online survey.
Staff expect to submit the plan to HUD after the July 21 vote, which gives the agency 45 days to review it.
Chavez said HUD requested no changes to Lacey’s plan last year. The 2026 program year runs from Sept. 1, 2026, through Aug. 31, 2027.
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