Council approves special tax valuation for historic Bowker House rehabilitation

The City Council approved a special property‑tax valuation for the Bowker House, 915 Bowker Street, following a staff presentation and a recommendation from the Lacey Historical Commission.

Erin Quinn Bowtchel (museum curator) outlined the house’s history and the statutory criteria for special tax valuation, which require (among other things) that the cost of rehabilitation equal at least 25% of the building’s assessed value (excluding land) within the 24 months before application, adherence to rehabilitation standards (Secretary of the Interior / WAC guidance), and execution of a 10‑year preservation agreement. For this application, the Thurston County assessor received the submission on May 20, 2025, which established the eligible expense window as 05/20/2023 through 05/19/2025. Using the 2022 building assessment of $57,100 (building only), the 25% threshold was $14,275. Staff and the Historical Commission reviewed the owner’s documentation and determined $15,866.02 of qualifying rehabilitation expenses fell within the eligible window and met the qualifying expense rules; the required supporting documentation for several line items had been provided.

Council noted that the visible scale of rehabilitation appeared larger than the submitted receipts—staff explained that only qualifying costs within the 24‑month window may be counted under state revenue law and that applicants may apply again for subsequent eligible periods. The council moved, seconded and unanimously approved the application and authorized the city manager to execute the required 10‑year agreement.

Next steps: staff will file the certificate with the county assessor within 10 days of council decision, notify the Washington State Advisory Council and the owner, and monitor compliance during the 10‑year agreement period.