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Des Moines updates parks work, asks council to weigh demolition or rehab of Founders’ Lodge
Summary
Public Works presented 2025 parks accomplishments, King County levy funding increases, and options for the deteriorating Founders’ Lodge at Beach Park. Staff estimated demolition (including asbestos abatement) at $300,000–$400,000 and asked for council direction by April to bid the work.
Public Works staff briefed the council on parks projects and King County levy funding during the Feb. 5 study session, outlining accomplishments from 2025 and planning priorities for the 2026–2031 levy period.
Mr. Sullivan (presentation) and later Mr. Slevin reviewed completed projects including the Memorial Triangle renovation, upgrades at Cecil Powell Park and Fieldhouse Park, the SJU Memorial Park lease and trail maintenance. Staff also described equipment purchases paid with levy funds and early design work for Beach Park and the proposed Midway Park soccer field.
Slevin told council voters approved a change to the King County levy distribution in August 2025 that increased Des Moines’ share from roughly $210,000 per year to about $485,000 per year — a total of approximately $2.9 million over the levy life — available for operations, maintenance and capital work.
On the Founders’ Lodge at Beach Park, staff described the building as structurally deficient with remaining asbestos and located in a floodplain; demolition estimates (including asbestos abatement) were in the $300,000–$400,000 range. Staff said a full-scale rehabilitation could cost far more and might not yield a return commensurate with the investment given the building footprint and usage.
Council members asked whether the dining hall is structurally dependent on the lodge (staff said the two structures are largely independent but ADA connections may need adjustment), whether demolition would include mitigation and re-landscaping (staff said yes, re-landscaping would be part of demolition costs), and whether environmental and permitting reviews would be required (staff said standard permits and SEPA processes would apply).
Staff asked for council direction by April (March preferred) so bids could be prepared and a contract scheduled; council members indicated general comfort with moving toward demolition and directed staff to return with bid documents and a contract award recommendation.
