LACEY — Although the City of Lacey has a relatively short history of 52 years, during that time it has seen explosive growth.
The city’s planning manager since 2005, Ryan Andrews, has witnessed much of that growth firsthand.
At the heart of the city’s earliest growth is the so-called Depot District, a mix of residential, retail and light industrial uses. It’s where the former train depot was located in the historic center of town.
Andrews says the historic depot district has declined somewhat and the city hopes to give it an economic shot in the arm.
The Depot District is centered on the area between the Pacific Avenue and Lacey Boulevard corridors and contains a variety of commercial, residential and light industrial uses.
Andrews explained it is really up to residents and business owners to decide what to do with the district.
The growth continues with such projects as the razing of the old Albertson’s supermarket building to make way for 300-unit senior apartments complex and 10,000 square feet of ground-floor retail space.
Andrews hopes to create more synergy between the depot district and St. Martin’s University.
That’s why the city is asking for public comments on its Depot District Subarea Plan. The plan will set the direction for the district’s reinvestment and revitalization.
City officials invite city residents to attend presentations at 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Feb. 26, and the same hours on Feb. 28 in the Big Yellow Warehouse at 5700 Lacey Blvd. SE.
For more information, visit ci.lacey.wa.us/DepotDistrictPlan, or contact Ryan Andrews, City of Lacey planning manager, at
[email protected], or 360-412-3190.
