Lacey, JBLM explore new partnerships for military community 

The City of Lacey and Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) are looking for new ways to serve military personnel and families living in the region. 

JBLM Garrison Commander Col. Joseph Handke discussed the relationship during a Lacey City Council work session on Tuesday, Sept. 22. He said shared needs involving housing, transportation and emergency services provide opportunities for further cooperation. 

JBLM is a major Army and Air Force power projection platform, capable of sending forces anywhere in the world when required, Handke said. Current priorities include military readiness, quality of life and infrastructure modernization. 

Infrastructure improvements, military construction and training-area updates may occur during the coming year. Handke said changes on the installation can have effects outside its gates, making communication with local governments important. 

Military services 

Lacey has more active duty military personnel living within its boundaries than any other city in the JBLM area, said Mayor Andy Ryder. He noted JBLM is also the area’s largest employer. 

One area for further cooperation involves connecting military families with services available outside the installation. The Lacey Veterans Services Hub provides access to more than 100 nonprofit organizations, according to Ryder, and services for active duty personnel, veterans and their families. 

Ryder said greater outreach could make more military families aware of the hub and available services.

Handke said he visited the hub about nine months ago through the South Sound Military Community Partnership. 

“I think there are a lot of opportunities between our veteran services on JBLM to what’s out in the community to at least help communication,” Handke said. “I think that we can make people aware what exists outside the base, not just inside the base.” 

The partnership provides a forum for JBLM and surrounding communities to address shared issues, he said. 

Lacey has a separate connection with the Ghost Brigade through the Army's I Corps Community Connector program. Handke said the program could provide a path for military participation in future city projects. 

Military units have assisted the city before. City Manager Rick Walk said he believed the Triple Nickel construction unit performed grading work at the Rainier Vista Park site around 2002. Walk said the unit was seeking projects for practice at the time. 

Transit access 

Transportation offers another potential area for cooperation between the city and JBLM. 

Council member Ryan Siu raised the possibility of expanding bus and local transit connections between Lacey and JBLM, as a way to help reduce traffic through the area. 

Existing mass transit agreements serve people traveling to Madigan Army Medical Center, Handke said. Access requirements, however, present a challenge for buses entering the installation. 

“They make sure that they have base access before they get on the bus,” Handke said. “Otherwise, they have to stop before the gate and drop them off.” 

Handke said the garrison could work with Lacey on a bus or van service for passengers with base access, provided the service is viable and not a one-time trip. 

Regional transportation discussions are underway. Council member Carolyn Cox said the Thurston Regional Planning Council's director has contacted a military communities organization, with discussions involving transit and Interstate 5 traffic.