Lacey's New Museum Project


The museum will be an east anchor of the City’s new Depot District (see map below), which is in close proximity to the historically rich and significant Saint Martin’s University. The Depot District will be an inviting, walkable area of Lacey, which will connect Lacey’s past; considering the replica of the historic depot and the artifacts that will be housed in the museum – to Lacey’s future; considering the larger space needed and the innovative exhibits, programs, education, and community gatherings that will take place there.

The museum campus will provide vitality to the Depot District with a train-themed playground, picnic tables, and restrooms. The museum campus will provide a picturesque space for families, students,
and community to gather and has the additional benefits of walkability and connectivity with a focus
on cultural heritage, historic preservation, and civic value and identity.




  

Background

  

The new museum project, one of Lacey's long-term goals, has been in development for nearly a decade.

 

2010

Extensive public input for the City’s Comprehensive Plan substantiated the need for museum expansion. The project was added to the Capital Facilities Plan and approved by City Council.

 

2012

An architectural firm was hired to solicit public input for the program, develop a floor plan, a preliminary site plan, and cost estimates for the museum. Public workshops generated ideas that helped refine design concepts and solutions.

2014

An in-depth review of the site plan, floor plan, and design concepts reveled that the original plan to house museum operations in the reconstructed historic train depot was logistically challenging.

2016

The City purchased the adjoining Carpet Express property, which provided an opportunity to re-envision the project.

2017

Staff updated the site plan, evaluated the Lebanon Street extension, revisited parking and circulation, considered exterior changes, and evaluated interior space needs. The train depot was approved as a separate structure and project, originally conceived as a commemorative project for the City’s 50th Anniversary.

2018

In 2018, following an extensive community-outreach campaign, the Community and Economic Development Department developed a subarea plan for the City’s new Depot District. (You can view the Depot District Subarea plan here.)

2019

The State of Washington awarded the City a Heritage Capital Project Grant to fund the design contract with KMB Architects.


2020

Schematic design for the new museum was completed in August.

The City submitted a Heritage Capital Grant to help fund preparing the site for the project.  Check out the list of projects approved by the advisory committee. The entire list is funded in full in the governor's proposed budget for 2022-2023 The legislature will make the final decision on June 2021.

Depot trail amenity and train-themed playground completed.

Two historic site interpretive panels completed; one covers the history of the train depot and the other the history of the Lacey Plywood factory that was on the site.

 

Read about the history of the Train Depot site
 
Map the Future Home of the New Lacey Museum

   

Objectives

  

New museum project objectives - from public comment, stakeholders, and staff input, include:
  • Increase visibility
  • Be a center for community engagement
  • Educate all ages, genders, ethnicities & backgrounds about Lacey history, heritage & culture
  • Provide opportunities for new & repeat visitation
  • Improve identification of Lacey as a unique City
  • Strive to meet professional standards
  • Increase public trust in the museum
  
   

Estimated Future Timeline

  
   

2021

  • Complete interpretive panel for playground (funded by Lacey Rotary)
  • Finalize architecture and engineering for museum
  • Develop construction documents for museum
  • Develop interpretive plan for museum and core exhibits
  • Develop an operations and capital campaign plan for the new facility
  • Begin site work (pending funding award)

2022

  • Continue site work (pending funding award)
  • Seek further grant/foundation/private funding support