Thursday, October 1, 2026
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The Tumwater City Council authorized additional spending on the planning of two projects on 79th Avenue — Trails End Park and a roundabout at the intersection on Old Highway 99.
As part of its consent agenda on Tuesday, Sept. 16, the council authorized increasing the amount of Robert W. Droll Landscape Architect’s contract to $286,249 from $38,104 in order to move forward with the design of Trails End Park.
The park would be located at the site of a former horse arena and adjacent to a planned public works facility.
The architecture firm has been working with the city and community through public engagement efforts to develop the park’s master plan, which details its layout and programming.
At a public works committee meeting held earlier this month, Capital Projects Manager Jared VerHey said the park would have a play area, fitness stations, a bicycle pump track, a basketball court, a pickleball court, open space, trails, interpretive art, picnic shelters and restrooms.
The firm’s original contract only covered the creation of the master plan, so the amended contract reflects the work associated with the development of specifications and cost estimates to get to a point where construction could begin.
The council also approved increasing HDR Engineering’s contract to $857,266 from $735,000 for work associated with the extension of the roundabout project, which is being planned in preparation for the public works facility. The project also incorporates frontage improvements for 79th Avenue.
According to the council’s meeting packet, the design phase of the project was anticipated for completion between March 2023 and January 2024, but scheduling and design issues have extended the timeline.
The supplemental budget addresses additional management work and design revisions, which includes geotechnical work, utility adjustments, and designs for a retaining wall and pedestrian railings.
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JW
Oh no! Another confusing roundabout!
Monday, September 22, 2025 Report this
Acadian04
As I understand it, the plan is to put in a standard, non-confusing roundabout.
Monday, September 22, 2025 Report this
Wesley
What is the origin of the round-a-bout fetish in Thurston County?
Monday, September 22, 2025 Report this
Acadian04
It's a science and logic fetish.
Monday, September 22, 2025 Report this
MadMike
Beats sitting at a traffic light with no oncoming traffic. I'm not the sharpest knife in the drawer but if I can figure them out......
Tuesday, September 23, 2025 Report this
Southsoundguy
The money for the roundabouts comes from where?
Tuesday, September 23, 2025 Report this
Snevets
How about taking that money and cleaning up the bridge on Capitol leading into Tumwater with special attention to the totems on both sides.
Tuesday, September 23, 2025 Report this