County staff seek $950,000 contract to rehab Tumwater Inn into 24 senior rental units

Thurston County public-health staff on May 13 asked commissioners to approve a $950,000 contract with the Housing Authority of Thurston County to rehabilitate 24 existing units at the former Tumwater Inn into affordable rental housing for seniors.

Public-health staff said the Housing Authority discovered asbestos and methamphetamine contamination during rehabilitation and removed drywall throughout the structure; the additional remediation increased project costs and prompted the request for Opportunity Fund support. Staff said the Housing Authority bought the property on Capitol Boulevard in Tumwater and began rehabilitation to create senior rental housing.

The $950,000 request was submitted to the county from the Regional Housing Council’s Opportunity Fund, a reserve intended for emergent projects that were not part of the regular request-for-proposals cycle. Staff said the Opportunity Fund had roughly $1.4 million available at the time of discussion but said they would confirm that figure before a final action.

Why it matters: rehab would add 24 affordable senior rental units in Tumwater and preserve an existing structure. County staff framed the award as urgent because contamination discovered during work required additional remediation for habitability and safety.

Details and follow-up: staff (Public Health and Social Services) presented the request and said Alex Pierce was available to answer questions. Commissioners asked about fund availability; staff said they would confirm the Opportunity Fund balance. The board did not record a final vote in the agenda-setting session; the item was presented for approval on the department calendar.

Next steps: staff will confirm the Opportunity Fund balance and return the item on the business agenda for formal action or include it on the consent calendar, per county procedure.