Development News for DuPont, Washington

Contract Awarded for Urban Flooding Improvements in Historic Village

The City Council approved Resolution 26-017, awarding an engineering services contract for urban flooding improvement projects in the historic village. The historic village lacks a traditional underground stormwater conveyance system, relying instead on catch basins that infiltrate into the ground. Due to saturated ground conditions in the past, this system has led to flooding. Previous projects in 2021 and 2025 (completed January 2026) have addressed some of these issues by renovating existing catch basins and installing new ones. The current proposal involves implementing two new projects on Brandy Wine/Santa Cruz and Haskell/Barksdale. These projects will include catch basins feeding into settling tanks designed to remove debris and oil before water is discharged into infiltration trenches. This system aims to improve the mitigation of urban flooding. The $77,000 from the Pierce County Flood Zone Control District will be combined with $160,000 from the capital improvement project's stormwater utility fund to cover the cost, which is projected to be less than $100,000 for these two projects. The contract for design, contract documents, construction management, and inspection is awarded to Grain Osborne for $44,900, with construction anticipated to begin in November.

City Council Approves Contract for ADA Transition Plan Development

The City Council approved Resolution 26-018, awarding an engineering services contract for the development of an ADA transition plan. This plan is driven by state (RCW), federal, and Washington DOT directives, with federal grants contingent on its completion. The plan will involve assessing city assets, particularly public right-of-ways, to identify necessary improvements for equal access. It will include a self-assessment, a plan for completion, public meetings, and a budget. PH Consulting, which has prior experience with similar projects in other cities, will execute the work. The estimated cost for developing this plan is just under $75,000, with completion expected by the end of the year. Council members acknowledged that the due date for this plan has passed, highlighting the importance of expediting its completion.

City Council Reviews Draft Six-Year Transportation Improvement Plan

The City Council reviewed and discussed the draft six-year Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). This plan is a crucial planning tool for identifying road improvements and securing grant funding, as projects must be included in the TIP to be eligible for grants. The TIP is updated annually and serves as a roadmap for transportation infrastructure development over the next six years. Several specific projects were highlighted, including the completion of Center Drive, improvements to Wilmington Drive, and the continuation of the chip seal program for collector roads. The council also discussed the need for studies on lighting data collection and the maintenance of the Squally Creek box culvert. Several roundabouts were identified as problematic for large trucks, and adjustments to their design were considered. The plan, which is currently unfunded, will undergo a public hearing and formal approval process.

DuPont Police Department to Provide Investigative Services to Steilacoom Amid Staffing Shortage

The City Council approved a resolution authorizing an interlocal agreement between the City of DuPont and the Town of Steilacoom for law enforcement investigative services. This agreement is necessary due to a staffing shortage within the Steilacoom Department of Public Safety (DPS), which has created vacancies in their patrol division. Under this agreement, a DuPont Police Department investigator will be on call to assist Steilacoom with follow-up investigations and calls requiring specialized investigative expertise. The agreement stipulates that Steilacoom will reimburse DuPont 100% for the wages and benefits of the investigator for actual hours worked. The term of the agreement is through September 30, 2027, though Steilacoom anticipates filling their positions sooner. The DuPont Police Department has determined that its detective has the capacity to provide this assistance without disrupting normal operations or the quality of service to DuPont residents.