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Council debates uses for vacant lot next to City Hall; partnership with neighboring recreation facility seen as near‑term relief
Summary
Council discussed whether the vacant lot by City Hall should host temporary fields, be held for a future community center, or be used for storage/operations for the July Canoe Journey. Staff pointed to an ongoing feasibility study and an existing partnership with a neighboring jurisdiction’s recreation facility that could provide space sooner and at low cost.
Council considered competing approaches for the vacant parcel adjacent to City Hall: place temporary athletic fields there; reserve it for a future community center; or keep it flexible for festival/event staging.
Several council members urged the council not to narrow language in the priorities sheet to a single use. One councilmember recommended rewording the staff language to "expand recreational facilities and opportunities" rather than tie the priority to the specific vacant lot, to leave open multiple locations and facility types (baseball, pickleball, skate park, covered courts).
Staff described an active partnership with a nearby jurisdiction/school‑district facility (noted in the transcript as "Stillicum") that will allow DuPont residents to access indoor programming without immediate capital expense. Staff said the community‑center feasibility study (funded by a $100,000 lodging‑tax grant) will return options by June and that any tourism‑oriented outcome must meet the grant’s tourism element.
Council members who represent youth sports emphasized the league’s volunteer capacity and lower operating costs if community partners maintain fields; other council members urged looking beyond baseball to serve non‑sports youth through shared indoor spaces and programming.
Next steps: staff will present feasibility‑study deliverables in June and will include recreation‑partnership operational details (what facilities are available and timing) when the council considers whether to reserve the lot for a long‑term use.
