Wednesday, November 4, 2026
The City of Lacey is seeking a consultant to study the next phase of its food truck plaza. The search follows several years of a pilot program to foster food entrepreneurship.
The Lacey Community and Economic Development Department published a request for qualifications (RFQ) on Oct. 9. Consulting firms have until Nov. 9 to submit statements of qualifications.
The city launched its pilot food truck plaza on city-owned property in 2021.
According to the RFQ, the project has proven successful in helping entrepreneurs overcome startup barriers, such as high operational costs, limited marketing resources and lack of essential infrastructure. The initiative has also created new economic opportunities and culturally diverse food options for people.
For the permanent plaza, the selected consultant will evaluate at least three centrally located sites in the Depot District, Lacey Midtown or both.
One site must be the current food truck location owned by the city, including the property east of Clearbrook Drive. All sites must accommodate a minimum of six food trucks and have access to water, sewer and electricity, plus on-site or adjacent parking.
The current location is also a future museum site. The consultant must assess whether the existing food truck plaza is compatible with the approved museum site plan and associated Heritage Capital Project grant requirements.
The evaluation will also need to analyze food trucks as an interim use until the museum is constructed, including estimated costs of improvements within the planned museum parking area.
Identifying the infrastructure and amenities required to support a permanent food truck plaza is also required. That includes restrooms, electrical systems, potable water, gray water disposal, seating and dining areas, and a play area for children. Consultants must also evaluate the fiscal impact of implementing the elements and upkeep.
A quantitative assessment is to be informed by community engagement activities, including interviews with food truck operators, event organizers, city staff and other key community stakeholders.
The consultant also needs to analyze site conflicts, development costs, infrastructure needs, ongoing operational expenses, and accessibility and visibility.
The feasibility study report must recommend the most viable site for longer term development and include conceptual site plans.
Firms must submit statements of qualifications in PDF format by 5 p.m. PST on Nov. 9. Submissions must not exceed 10 pages, excluding the title page and table of contents. The city will evaluate submissions based on firm experience and methods for analyzing the fiscal impacts of locations.
For the complete RFQ and submission requirements, visit the city website.
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SilenceD
I love the idea of a food truck plaza. Given the number of food trucks operating in our community in various places, I think a food truck plaza could be successful. I recommend the consultant look at Happy Valley Station outside Portland, OR as a potential model. Some of the key features of their plaza is a barn-style covered and enclosed seating along with an open-air pavillion so people can eat at the plaza even in bad weather (or the barn doors can be opened in good weather), event bookings (birthday parties, etc.), and a bar/lounge (will help attract an anchor business to operate the plaza and meet their margins). I visited there many times while in the area for work and thought it was a great space.
https://www.happyvalleystation.com/
Friday, October 16 Report this
JulesJames
How about rent 100% subsidies and government-maintained bathrooms for brick-n-mortar restaurants? Brick-n-mortar business owners have a vested interest in improving the neighborhood. Food trucks just move their businesses elsewhere when times get tough. Food trucks are fine for carnivals, but not fine for building a healthy tax base around Main Street retail.
Friday, October 16 Report this
JasonS
JulesJames -- The bathroom facilities currently maintained by the City of Lacey are not "subsidized" for the use of food cart customers. They are openly accessible to the general public (no purchase at a food truck required), which is something the City needs to maintain regardless of whether there is a food truck plaza or not. The fact that there are businesses operating there actually helps the City because there is enough constant foot traffic to deter vandals and to allow early reporting of any issues.
I haven't seen food trucks don't "move their businesses when times get tough" at a different rate that brick and mortar. I've lost count of the number of b&m businesses in Olympia that have closed, while the California Tacos, Ninevah and Arepa carts at Plum St have remained in place for many years. Food trucks do tend to be seasonal in much the same way that a Farmer's Market is seasonal. Attendance is often affected by the weather and they operate with reduced hours during the winter months.
Friday, October 16 Report this
Taxpayer
You can't argue that this is putting your hand on the scales that will only hurt local brick and mortar stores in the community. But then again, maybe Lacey just wants to end up like Portland! The property they offer is available through the taxes paid by the local businesses.
Saturday, October 17 Report this