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Ocean Shores says current funds and grant extensions should cover tsunami tower planning costs
Summary
City staff reported plans for a vertical evacuation (tsunami) tower are roughly three-quarters complete and that existing grants and an expected extension from the Washington State Department of Commerce should cover near-term planning costs; officials said future towers will require additional state or federal assistance.
Ocean Shores Public Works staff reported that design plans for a vertical evacuation (tsunami) tower are about 75% complete and that existing grant funding should cover planning costs for this first phase.
City staff said the project team will finalize invoices once plans reach 95% and will seek reimbursements from FEMA and the Department of Commerce. Staff said they will return any unused funds for the first phase to FEMA. The department is also seeking an extension from the Washington State Department of Commerce for the current match deadline so the city can complete invoicing and draw down reimbursements.
Why it matters: a vertical evacuation tower is intended to provide a safe refuge during tsunamis for low-lying coastal communities; planning and construction involve multiple grants, a local match, and coordination with state emergency management.
City staff said their current grant match exceeds 10%, and with the Department of Commerce funds they expect not to request additional city money for this planning stage. Staff reported that Department of Commerce funding associated with the project was said in the meeting to expire on June 20, 2025. Council members and staff discussed asking state legislators to request an extension from Commerce; participants said Representative Tharinger’s office agreed to contact the Department of Commerce on the city’s behalf.
City officials warned that if additional towers are pursued in the future the city will not be able to provide large local matches on its own and will need state or federal assistance routed through the Washington State Department of Emergency Management. Staff said they are pursuing a 2025 “Bridal grant” application (as stated in the meeting) for additional funds for the tower’s next phase.
Discussion vs. decision: staff presented the status and next steps; no formal council vote was recorded. Staff said Scott would provide funding details in an upcoming stack report and that staff would pursue the Commerce extension and finalize reimbursements.
