Community
Lacey looks to make its food truck plaza permanent, seeks consultant to study sites
After running a pilot food truck plaza in the Depot District since 2021, the City of Lacey is hiring a consultant to find a permanent home for at least six trucks, with restrooms, seating and a play area. Proposals are due Nov. 9.
The City of Lacey wants to turn its pilot food truck plaza into a permanent one and is seeking a consultant to figure out where it should go and what it would cost, according to a request for qualifications the city issued Oct. 8.
The pilot plaza, on city-owned land in the Depot District, opened in 2021 to help new food businesses get started.
What the study will look at. The consultant will compare at least three central sites in the Depot District, Lacey Midtown or both. Each must fit at least six food trucks and have water, sewer, electricity and parking on site or next door.
One of the three must be the current plaza site, including city property east of Clearbrook Drive. That land is also slated for a future museum. The study must show whether a permanent plaza could work alongside the approved museum site plan and the Heritage Capital Project grant tied to it. It must also price out keeping the trucks there in the planned museum parking area until the museum is built.
A fuller setup. The study must price building and maintaining restrooms, electrical service, drinking water, gray-water disposal, seating and dining areas, and a children's play area. The work is to include interviews with food truck operators, event organizers and city staff, and end with conceptual site plans and a recommended site.
Timeline. Statements of qualifications are due by 5 p.m. Nov. 9. The city plans to choose a firm by Nov. 20 and then negotiate a price.
Background. The city gave the pilot's startups a location, services and help understanding the rules for operating a mobile food unit in Thurston County. By the project's third year, six "resident" trucks called the Lacey Food Truck Depot home, and four of their owners were first-time business owners, according to the city. The Washington Economic Development Association recognized the depot with a 2024 economic development award.
Questions about the request go to Josh Woodson, the city's economic development strategist, at 360-528-1006.
