Thursday, October 1, 2026
The City of Lacey opened contractor bidding for its 2026 Sidewalk Repair Project, even though a group of local homeowners contested the planned removal of 185 street trees.
The Lacey Public Works Department is accepting sealed bids until 2:30 p.m. on July 9 at Lacey City Hall, 420 College St. SE. Proposals will be opened publicly that same day and streamed live on the city’s YouTube page.
The bid advertisement estimates the project cost at $1.3 million to $1.5 million.
As The JOLT previously reported, Jubilee homeowners opposed the project and pushed the city to adopt tree preserving sidewalk repair methods used in Seattle and DuPont. The city countered that temporary repairs do not prevent sidewalk damage from recurring.
Per bid documents, the contract requires the removal of trees, stumps and complete root systems, followed by installation of root barriers, topsoil restoration and city-approved replacement street trees.
Stumps must be fully extracted, plan documents state, with grinding allowed only in locations where complete removal is not otherwise possible and only upon engineer approval.
The project is planned along stretches of Vashon Drive, Camano Loop, Marietta Court, Sentinel Drive, Mercer Court and Meriwood Drive.
The scope also covers reconstruction of sidewalks, curbs and gutters, curb ramps and driveway entrances, along with clearing and grubbing, sod installation, irrigation adjustments and erosion control. Approximately 2,240 square yards of new concrete sidewalk and 5,200 linear feet of root barrier is called for in the project.
The bid sheet lists 185 trees for removal and more than 170 replacement trees across 15 species, including varieties of maple, parrotia, hornbeam, crabapple, dogwood, hawthorn, lilac and maackia.
Most replacement trees must meet a minimum of a 2-inch caliper and 10 feet in height, balled and burlapped, per a Tree Planting Schedule.
Rocky Mountain glow maple and summer charm lilac, the two species planned for all 57 Meriwood Drive locations, are specified with a 1.5-inch caliper and minimum height of 8 feet.
The plans also note that some removal locations will not receive replacement trees due to conflicts with light poles, fire hydrants or planter size limitations.
To submit a bid, contractors must include a deposit equal to 5 percent of their total proposal, payable to the City of Lacey Treasurer as a certified check or approved surety bond.
The winning contractor will have 90 working days to complete the project from the Notice to Proceed date, per the special provisions.
Plans, specifications and addenda are available through the Builders Exchange of Washington and on the city's website.
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chrispc2u
Make the Jubilee homeowners pay for this. The City of Lacey shouldn’t have to foot the bill. But across from Rainier Vista park the city made us spend $25,000 to have two big Doug Firs removed because they refused to do it. Unfair! Very inconsistent policies!
Monday, June 29 Report this
Alangl
These trees are all in the street right-of-way. They are.doing this to preserve the sidewalks, owned by the City. I am totally opposed to this project. Maintaining sidewalks does not require tree removal. Other cities like Dupont, Seattle, San Francisco, and New York do not remove trees to correct tripping hazards created by root expansion under sidewalks..
Removing these trees will drastically diminish the environment and ambiance in Jubilee. It took 20 years to create this environment. At my age, I won't live to see it again. I refuse to accept that city government can do this to me.
Monday, June 29 Report this
jimlazar
The City of Lacey made an error when it approved installation of the wrong kind of street tree in the Jubilee area. The City of Lacey is owning that mistake now, removing the wrong trees and fixing the sidewalks, then installing trees that will not buckle the sidewalk.
Good for Lacey.
There is now transit service to Jubilee, and it is important for people to be able to walk safely to the transit stops. Plus, walking is the #1 form of active transportation, and encouraging this activity will make for a healthier community.
I have had the experience of tripping on a sidewalk seam that had lifted. I was not seriously injured, but easily could have been.
I'm very happy that Lacey is fixing the problem that Lacey created. I wish that Olympia would move ahead as aggressively as Lacey is moving to solve the sidewalk tripping hazards.
Trees will grow back. Head injuries from falling on sidewalks are forever.
Tuesday, June 30 Report this
SteveA
caliper is a measuring device, caliber is a synonym for diameter
Tuesday, June 30 Report this
OlyBlues
All cities need to abandon this totally impractical vision of planting tress next to sidewalks! It does NOT work. Time and time again, it is shown the roots damage the sidewalks. This is juts common sense at this point. Enough is enough, Plant small shrubs along the sidewalks and trees elsewhere. Why go through all of this unnecessary expense?
Tuesday, June 30 Report this
Boatyarddog
So you'd rather throw the removal costs to senior housing? As if they have the Dollars for this. The city has a much better chance a balancing the funds for this. Sorry you think you got a bad deal with your tree removal project, try not to harm others you think should kick in those funds. Im sure they had no idea when they purchased their spot that the city would want to remove those trees.
Tuesday, June 30 Report this
johngreen
These trees were not planted properly and the city of Lacey was responsible for making sure they were. No root barriers were installed and proper depths and excavation not done. The sidewalks can be repaired without removing the trees and has been done by the city in the past.
The city even purchased the piece of equipment to do the work and have a crew experienced in using it.
Since people feel they should not have to pay for this project not in their backyard, maybe we shouldn't have to pay for schools since we don't have children in school now. Seems like a fair trade.
Wednesday, July 1 Report this