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Happel Center master planning advances; county pursuing $3 million Department of Commerce grant
Summary
County staff said consultants will present a master plan for the Happel Center and that Franklin County is pursuing a $3 million grant from the Washington State Department of Commerce; the board will review procurement approach for design and construction work.
Franklin County staff told the Jan. 8 board that the Happel Center master‑planning process will enter a public workshop phase next week and that the county is pursuing a $3 million grant from the Washington State Department of Commerce.
County Administrator Eric Johnson said staff will present the master plan and that an advisory committee is meeting to review materials. He said the county is coordinating with staff and with Commissioner Briggs on contractual responsibilities for the $3 million grant and will meet with Department of Commerce representatives regularly to complete required grant materials.
Johnson said staff must decide between procurement options — design‑bid or design‑build — and that there had been earlier concerns about whether prior bidding had followed applicable RCW procurement rules. He said the county will seek “a definitive direction” on the procurement approach before proceeding.
Workshops on benefits and the county salary matrix were also scheduled for the coming months, and staff said new carpet, painting and other renovations at the Happel Center give the facility a “fresh look.” The advisory committee will review the master plan at a meeting next Wednesday.
No final procurement decision or grant award was made at the Jan. 8 meeting; staff described next steps as completing grant paperwork and selecting a procurement approach.
