Kent council approves $63.5M municipal campus relocation; authorizes bonds and contract delegations

Kent City Council on Sept. 2 approved a multi-phase plan to relocate and renovate city facilities, including the purchase and renovation of the Administrative Services Building, a new police headquarters at the Centennial Center, and a new council chambers and civic plaza. The council adopted an ordinance and a resolution authorizing financing and contract delegations to carry out the project.

The move grew from a 2020 facilities condition assessment that identified urgent infrastructure needs and long-term space shortfalls at City Hall and the Kent Police Department. Julie Paras Condola, director of parks, recreation and community services, said during the meeting that “this isn't just a parks led project. This is an all hands on deck city led project,” and described governance that includes an executive leadership team and a steering committee to coordinate design, operations and security needs.

The project budget in the adopted resolution was set at $63,500,000 for the municipal campus relocation project (not including a separately budgeted $5.5 million for the Kent East Hill Operations Center). Deputy Finance Director Michelle Ferguson told the council the projected financing plan combines reallocated project funds, bond proceeds and a general fund contribution;…