Tumwater committee recommends purchase of modular housing for T2 Fire Station, sends agreement to council

The City of Tumwater Public Works committee voted Jan. 22 to place a purchase agreement with Champion Home Center on the Feb. 3 City Council considerations calendar with a recommendation to approve and authorize the mayor to sign. The purchase, described by staff as "not to exceed $165,000," would buy a five‑bed modular home to provide temporary dormitory housing for T2 Fire Station personnel while a permanent expansion is designed and built.

City staff (identified in discussion as Chris) described the unit as a five‑bedroom layout with two bathrooms and said it would be installed by a licensed contractor after a 10–12 week lead time following order. "This solution here provides us with a 5 bedroom modular home, which will give us the proper amount of housing for the staff, until we can complete the expansion project," the presenter said. Chief Hurley explained operational need, confirming that the minimum daily staffing at the station is five personnel (three on the fire engine plus two added by the Medic unit).

Staff noted funds made available through an agreement with MediOne could be used toward implementation costs. The proposed placement for the unit was shown on a site map and described in discussion as closer to Lynnwood; staff said the unit could be repurposed when the expansion is complete or donated for other uses.

After questions about capacity, bathrooms, timeline and funding sources, the committee moved to place the purchase agreement on the Feb. 3 City Council considerations calendar; the motion passed by voice vote.