DuPont weighs options for event and tourism center; staff to pursue next‑phase LTAC funding

Johnson Architects and a market consultant told the DuPont City Council on April 28 that the city’s aging community center could be renovated, enlarged, or replaced to create a 200‑person event and tourism facility, but that each choice carries significant trade‑offs in cost, parking and ongoing operating losses.

In a study funded by a $100,000 Pierce County Lodging Tax grant, consultants presented three construction scenarios: a renovation of the existing building with extensive interior demolition and code upgrades with a construction cost estimate of about $3.2 million; an expansion that would add a small addition and raise capacity for roughly $3.8 million; and a new greenfield facility with more parking and multipurpose space estimated at about $6.7 million in hard‑construction costs. Presenters emphasized those are hard‑cost estimates only and that soft costs, taxes and escalation could add roughly 30–40% more to a project budget.

"We looked at comparable event centers and parking constraints—code minimum for a 200‑person assembly is about 30 stalls," said Jack Chaffin of Johnson Architects. "If you want realistic parking for events, the new‑site option pushes toward 80 stalls and higher costs." Catherine Getz of BERC Consulting said market comparisons show most similar venues do not recover full operating costs; the highest recovery cited among comparables was about 66%.

Council members pressed staff and consultants on funding and community benefit. Several members said they favor pursuing Pierce County LTAC funds but warned grants are not certain and that a larger bond or other local contribution would likely be necessary for construction. Council members also raised concerns about neighborhood parking impacts and the need to preserve storage for the local history museum if the existing building is rebuilt or removed.

Staff asked for a direction—described internally as a "head nod"—to pursue a phase‑2 LTAC application for preliminary engineering, site work and environmental review. Consultants said the next step would examine specific sites, prepare a more detailed cost estimate and identify potential partners and tenants. Staff said the consultant team will return with a more detailed presentation at the May 12 meeting and that application materials for the LTAC cycle would need to be prepared in late May.

"This feasibility study is about whether we have a path forward," City staff said. "If council wants to pursue LTAC for engineering and design, we will bring back refined options and costings." Councillors split on appetite for the options: some urged caution about committing local funds and recommended exploring alternative uses (parks, museum upgrades or a sports complex), while others argued the town’s projected growth justifies planning for larger community and event spaces.

The council did not adopt any binding commitment to build; staff will return with refined analysis, partners and a draft LTAC application for council direction at a future meeting.