Council awards contract to add wheelchair lift and ADA upgrades at Lacy Veteran Services Hub

The Lacy City Council unanimously approved a contract on June 16 to install a wheelchair lift and make other Americans with Disabilities Act improvements at the Lacy Veteran Services Hub.

City staff described the hub's history and earlier expansions and said the proposed work aims to improve accessibility between floors and update restrooms, parking stalls and entry routes. John, a city presenter, said the 8,000-square-foot facility began offering services in 2014 and has since expanded with federal and state support.

Deputy finance and capital funding discussions cited multiple funding sources: roughly $500,000 from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, nearly $500,000 in federal block grant dollars, and $2 million in state funding secured in earlier rounds. Staff said an additional $500,000 was secured in 2022 through the congressional delegation specifically to reduce barriers and install a vertical platform lift; the project will also draw about $74,346 from the city's capital reserves to cover a budget gap.

Public works staff recommended awarding PW2024-17 to J. Morris Construction after four bids were solicited and one was rejected for irregularity. The council approved the award by voice vote. The contract record in the meeting transcript lists the bid amount as "$385,2248," a transcription artifact; staff discussed that the bid exceeded the budgeted construction estimate and that the difference will be covered from reserves and project soft costs.

Project timing and scope: staff said the construction phase allows 90 working days, with a tentative fall start, and cautioned that lead time for the lift component is estimated at four to six months if the contract is awarded. Council members asked about platform dimensions for mobility scooters (staff said the platform provides about a 4-foot opening) and whether day-to-day services will be affected; staff said disruptions will be limited and that many services occur in spaces not adjacent to the construction zone.

Mayor Andy Ryder and council members praised the long-term effort to secure service capacity at the hub, noting that the upgrades are intended to make permanent services more accessible to veterans with mobility challenges.

The council approved the motion to award the contract unanimously; staff said the hub coordinator, Brian Wanin, will return to council on Aug. 11 to report on day-to-day operations following improvements.