Lakewood council approves design contract, moves H Barn project into detailed design phase

The Lakewood City Council on Feb. 18 approved an agreement with Graham Baba Architects for $981,367 to provide design services for the Fort Steilacoom Park "H Barn," advancing the project into the detailed design phase.

The vote followed a staff overview and public comment from project partners. Hallie McCurdy, deputy fire chief for West Pierce who spoke on behalf of Partners for Parks, said the group has raised an additional $250,000 and is "$2,700,000 towards our $3,500,000 goal," remarks she delivered during the meeting's public comment period.

Parks and Recreation Director Miss Dodsworth outlined the procurement and review process leading to the selection. She said the city received nine proposals, interviewed four teams and selected a Seattle-based team that "came with unique ideas, so much expertise" and included a structural subconsultant experienced in historic-barn work. Dodsworth told council the contract is phased so the city will reach a 30% design milestone with a better cost estimate before proceeding further.

The council approved the contract after brief questions about timing and coordination with lodging-tax funding cycles. Council member Branstetter asked when the 30% milestone would be reached; Dodsworth said "right about May, early June" if work proceeds on schedule. She noted lodging-tax applications for 2026 are due in early August with presentations in late August and council budget decisions in November.

The H Barn concept has been framed as a multiuse facility intended for community events, classes, senior activities and private rentals. Dodsworth said the goal is to preserve the historic structure while creating broad public access and economic impact that aligns with the city's strategic plan.

The council also adopted, as part of the consent agenda, a memorandum of understanding with Partners for Parks to support payment of architecture and engineering services for the H Barn project and other related consent items noted below. The specific design agreement (motion 20 25-12) was moved by Council Member Pearson and seconded by Council Member Bell and was approved by voice vote; individual roll-call tallies were not recorded in the meeting transcript.

Votes at a glance (consent and related items adopted Feb. 18, 2025): - Motion 20 25-09: Authorize execution of an agreement with SMS Cleaning Inc. in the amount of $135,023 for custodial services — adopted as part of the consent agenda (voice vote). - Motion 20 25-10: Authorize acceptance of sponsorship donations totaling $67,000 from Amazon, TwinStar Credit Union, Virginia Mason, Franciscan Health, Pierce Transit, Washington State Employee Credit Union, Vibrant Schools and Friends — adopted as part of the consent agenda (voice vote). - Motion 20 25-11: Authorize execution of a memorandum of understanding between the City of Lakewood and Partners for Parks to support payment of A&E services for the Fort Steilacoom Park H Barn project — adopted as part of the consent agenda (voice vote). - Motion 20 25-12: Authorize execution of an agreement with Graham Baba Architects in the amount of $981,367 for design services for the Fort Steilacoom Park H Barn project — approved by voice vote; individual roll-call tallies not recorded.

Community partners plan a community design charrette during the schematic phase and additional outreach as the 30% design and cost estimates are completed. Dodsworth said council will be invited to the charrette and will review the 30% design and cost estimate before the city proceeds to later design phases.

Meeting comments and staff remarks placed emphasis on historic preservation, multiuse programming and ensuring broad access. Financial next steps include continued partner fundraising, review of the 30% design and potential lodging-tax or other funding applications later in the year.