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Council approves base rehabilitation for Veterans Monument and favors central-monument expansion for future phases
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Summary
Council approved a base rehabilitation scope for Veterans Monument and Library Park using grant funds and selected a central-monument expansion (Option 2) as the preferred future layout; staff will proceed with drainage, ADA access and playground fencing and return with phased design details and budget options.
Mill Creek — The City Council on Jan. 27 approved a base rehabilitation scope for the Veterans Monument and Library Park that staff said can be completed with roughly $500,000 in state and county grants, and the council selected a preferred conceptual expansion (the Central Monument option) to guide future phases.
Staff described a tight construction window and a base scope focused on correcting failed drainage, repairing and replacing paths, improving lawn drainage, adding ADA access and fencing the playground. The base scope also includes seven new monument columns and expanded paver seating to improve capacity for Memorial Day and Veterans Day ceremonies.
Project engineer Sultani presented three conceptual expansion options beyond the base scope:
- Monument Walk (adds 24 columns; estimated total ~$1.3–1.4 million), extending monuments toward the amphitheater; - Central Monument expansion (adds 17 columns and enlarges the existing monument footprint); - North Monument expansion (adds 18 columns, expanding the monument to the north).
The consultant estimated the base scope is feasible within the roughly $500,000 grant package; the larger options would require additional funding. Council debated phasing and proximity of new columns to the playground. An initial motion to adopt the base scope and pursue Option 3 (North expansion) failed on a roll call, and a subsequent motion to adopt the base scope now and use Option 2 (Central Monument expansion) as the preferred future layout passed 7-0.
On playgrounds, staff outlined a base playground action (add fencing and engineered wood fiber) estimated at about $29,000 and additional expansion/equipment options ranging $123,000–$176,000. Staff also estimated that adding roughly 11 parking stalls near the library would cost about $200,000 and did not recommend proceeding with that high cost without further review.
Next steps: staff will proceed with design and construction for the base scope, track grant reimbursements, and return with refined cost estimates should council direct additional enhancements or phasing.
