Lacey: From big investments in new infrastructures to controversial council decisions, how did the city do in 2022?

Following the easing of COVID-19 restrictions, Lacey shifted its focus to infrastructure investments and policy-making to address the city's growing population.  Take a look back on some of the key stories from Lacey that made headlines in 2022:

Controversial Meridian Gas Station and Land Use Policy

In June, the Lacey City Council approved the Meridian Gas Station through a quasi-judicial process amid overwhelming protests from the public. The Meridian Market Gas Station is based on the Meridian Campus plan of Thurston County in the 1980s. Lacey annexed the land in 1992, providing commercial, residential, industrial, and institutional zones. Based on its project proposal, the commercial district would have a Chevron gas station and two commercial buildings that provide 9,000 square feet of commercial and office space.

Following the controversial decision, the city council reviewed its role in the quasi-judicial process when approving land-use permits. Still, the council voted 4-3 to keep its participation in the land-use process the same as in the past.

$52M New Police Station

The proposed new police station is one of the city council's priority projects for the upcoming years. In March, the city council unanimously voted to approve the memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Benedictine Abbey of Saint Martin's to purchase its 11.96-acre property for the appraised price of $4,040,000 to accommodate the project site. A month after, the council awarded KMB Architects the $ 658,474 contract for initial design services. In November, Bill Valdez of KMB Architects said the cost estimate is between $49 million and $52 million - a sum of $38 million for the construction costs and $13 million for the soft costs. Because of the project's size and the site's complexity, Valdez anticipated that the project would take 24 months to build.

Greg Cuoio Park

After a "community-focused" process, the city council approved the Master Plan for Greg Cuoio Park & Greenways in February. Lacey Director of Parks, Culture, and Recreation Jen Burbidge said the construction of Greg Cuoio Park Phase 1A would probably need a three to five-million-dollar budget over the next five years. Phase 1A includes design and planning services for future bidding, physical work for two driveway entrances, an 18-hole disc golf course, and the initial phase of a playground, Lacey capital projects engineer Ashley Smith said at the city council meeting in March. In September, the Lacey Board of Park Commission sought public input on the theme of the new playground as part of Phase 1A of Greg Cuoio Park.

$71M Young Child and Families Center

In August, the City Council, North Thurston Public Schools, and South Sound YMCA signed a memorandum of agreement to fund a feasibility study for the "Young Child and Families Center." The project, proposed to be located north of Nisqually Middle School, is estimated to cost around $71 million. It would feature a 45,000-square-foot Early Learning Center with 23 classrooms and 25,000 square feet for public use. Lacey Parks Culture and Recreation Director Jennifer Burbidge said the proposed Young Child and Families Center would cater to around 600 students annually. The Center would host family-friendly parenting and nutrition classes and on-site medical and mental health services. The project will also feature a spray park, indoor activity areas for learning, a playground, an indoor family-oriented pool, and outdoor adventure playgrounds.

Digital innovations

Amid the shift to the "new normal," Lacey continues to adapt digital innovations by live streaming and archiving all its public meetings on its social media accounts—the only jurisdiction within the region that does so. In April, Lacey launched new websites for the city and its Parks, Culture, and Recreation Department. To access the new City website, visit CityOfLacey.org, and for the new Lacey Parks website, visit LaceyParks.org. To learn more about Lacey 311 or to fill out a form, visit CityofLacey.org/Lacey-311.

Diversity, Equality and Inclusion

Lacey strengthened its efforts in championing Diversity, Equality and Inclusion (DEI) within its community. In June, the  Lacey Commission on Equity (COE) contracted with The Athena Group to draft its DEI Strategic Plan. The commission discussed that "cultural competence" would be essential to the strategic plan. In September, the Lacey officially allowed flying "equity flags" in the city following the COE's recommendation to amend the existing flag policy. In November, Lacey reviewed its land acknowledgment and Policy after receiving input from the Nisqually Indian Tribe.