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Investing in our Streets. Investing in our Community.
In Lacey, streets are more than asphalt. They're the routes we take to school, work, parks, and neighbors' homes. They're part of the everyday life that connects our community, and thanks to Lacey voters' support, they're in great shape.
In the 2025 State of the Streets Report presentation from last week’s Council Worksession, staff highlighted that a majority of Lacey’s 185 miles of asphalt streets remain in good or very good condition. The network-wide Pavement Condition Index (PCI) stands at 84.6, based on careful inspections for cracking, raveling, and rutting. While the numbers tell one story, the real impact is felt every day in how smooth, safe, and reliable our streets are for the people who travel them.
Maintaining this level of quality requires a proactive approach. Lacey invests in timely crack sealing, slurry seals, and grind-and-overlay projects to keep roads strong while avoiding costly reconstruction later. In addition, we have a sidewalk repair program and a street tree maintenance schedule that keep neighborhoods safe, accessible, and welcoming for everyone.
Funding from the Transportation Benefit District (TBD), approved by voters in 2017, has made this possible. The TBD provides a dedicated revenue source, enabling the City to plan and invest in programs that keep streets and transportation infrastructure in top condition for everyone. And, a special thank you to our Public Works team for their stewardship and management of this critical maintenance program.
This work is ultimately about people. It’s about safer routes to school, smoother commutes, and neighborhoods that feel cared for. Every project, every repair, every overlay reflects a shared investment in Lacey and the life we all enjoy here. Thank you to our community members for supporting these efforts. Your TBD tax dollar investment is visible every day in the streets we travel, the sidewalks we walk, and the community we share.
— Rick Walk
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Honoring Visibility, Inclusion, and Belonging
March 31 marks Transgender Day of Visibility, a day to celebrate transgender, gender non-conforming, and non-binary community members and the contributions they make in Lacey and beyond. The day emphasizes the importance of visibility while encouraging understanding, acceptance, and support for everyone in our community.
Lacey’s recognition reflects the City’s commitment to building a welcoming and inclusive environment where all people feel valued. It invites community members to listen, learn, and stand alongside neighbors, friends, and family members whose experiences strengthen the city.
Lucas Miller, board member of PFLAG-Olympia, said, “I really want to thank you for declaring March 31 Transgender Day of Visibility, because right now, visibility is our best weapon and our best defense.” These words remind us that public recognition and support give people the courage to live authentically, inspire others to stand in solidarity, and reinforce the importance of creating a safe, inclusive community.
Transgender Day of Visibility encourages all of us to reflect on how we can lift each other up. By standing with one another, we build a community where every person feels valued and truly at home.
Read the full proclamation here.
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Join the Lacey Spring Fun Fair as a Vendor!
Lacey’s signature spring celebration is right around the corner, and there’s still time to get involved. The Lacey Spring Fun Fair returns May 16 & 17, bringing the community together for a full weekend of fun, entertainment, and connection.
Vendor applications are still open for commercial businesses and artisan makers (please note: food vendor applications have closed). This is a great opportunity to showcase your products, connect with local families, and be part of a high-energy community event.
Local businesses and nonprofits are also encouraged to participate in Kids World by hosting interactive, hands-on activities for children. In addition, the S.T.E.A.M. Fair is seeking participants to help highlight science, technology, engineering, art, and math through engaging experiences.
Space is limited and fills quickly, so we encourage interested vendors to apply soon. Visit the Lacey Spring Fun Fair webpage for details and application information!
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City of Lacey Surplus Auction Now Open
Looking for a great deal on tech equipment? The City’s online surplus auction is now open, featuring a variety of items available to the public!
This auction includes computers, laptops, monitors, and other equipment that are no longer in use but still have plenty of life left. It’s a great opportunity for community members, small businesses, and organizations to pick up useful items at a reduced cost.
Auction Closes Saturday, March 28 at 6 p.m.
You can view all items available for bidding online. Inventory is limited, so interested bidders are encouraged to check it out early and keep an eye on listings throughout the auction period.
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Fix-a-Leak Week: Don’t Let It Drip Away!
As we head into the second half of Fix-a-Leak Week, now is the perfect time to check your home for leaks and stop water waste in its tracks. Even small drips can add up to big water loss and higher utility bills.
In Lacey, conserving water is an important
part of protecting our local environment and making the most of our shared resources. From maintaining efficient infrastructure to encouraging everyday conservation at home, small actions can make a big difference across our community. Fix-a-Leak Week, led by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), is a great reminder that simple fixes can help reduce waste and support Lacey’s long-term sustainability efforts.
Follow these simple steps to get started:
- Check faucets and shower heads for drips
- Test your toilet for leaks using a few drops of food coloring
- Inspect outdoor spigots and irrigation systems
- Replace worn washers or fixtures
Fixing leaks not only saves water but also helps protect our local resources and keeps utility costs down for everyone.
Want to learn more or find step-by-step tips? Visit the EPA’s Fix-a-Leak Week webpage for helpful tools and resources!
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Honor Lacey’s History: Nominations Open for 2026 Historian of the Year
Are you inspired by the stories and people that shaped Lacey? The Lacey Historical Commission is now accepting nominations for the 2026 Ken Balsley Lacey Historian of the Year Award, and you’re invited to recognize someone who has helped preserve or promote our local history!
This annual award celebrates individuals or groups who have made significant contributions to keeping Lacey’s stories alive. Past recipients have worked on everything from documenting early fire department history to researching community life and preserving historic documents and artifacts. Honorees join a long, distinguished list of award‑winners dating back to the program's inception in 2002, when it was later renamed in honor of history advocate Ken Balsley.
Nomination forms are available online at LaceyParks.org/Historian or at City Hall through the Lacey Parks, Culture & Recreation Department. The City will accept nominations now through March 31. After nominations close, the Historical Commission will review candidates at its April meeting, and the recipient will be announced during Lacey History Month in May.
Whether it’s someone who’s dug deep into old photographs, shared stories of early residents, or supported preservation projects that connect us to the past, this is your chance to spotlight someone who helps our community remember where we’ve been and why it matters.
For more information on the award or how to nominate a historian, contact the Lacey Parks, Culture & Recreation Department at 360-491‑0857.
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Night Market Kickoff: Mark Your Calendar!
Get ready, Lacey, one of your favorite community events is back! The Lacey Night Market returns this spring, and the 2026 season kicks off on Friday, April 3, from 5 - 9 p.m. at the Lacey Depot Park.
This lively, family-friendly event brings together everything that makes our community shine. Stroll through a vibrant mix of local vendors and artisans, grab a bite from delicious food trucks, and enjoy live music and themed entertainment throughout the evening. Whether you come to shop, eat, or just soak in the atmosphere, there’s something for everyone.
The Night Market runs every other Friday with exciting themed nights all season long, making it the perfect way to kick off your weekends and connect with the community. Curious what’s coming up? View all themes and event dates here!
Kickoff Event Details:
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Date: Friday, April 3
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Time: 5 - 9 p.m.
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Location: The Depot
Admission is free and open to all ages, so bring your friends, bring your family, and come experience the energy, culture, and creativity that make Lacey special.
Want to be part of the action? Local businesses, artists, and food vendors can apply to participate and showcase what they have to offer. Learn more and apply today.
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Creativity Corner: Bee Crafty This March!
Spring is here and creativity is in full bloom at the Lacey Museum! With March only halfway through, there’s still plenty of time to stop by our new location and enjoy Creativity Corner: Bees, a fun, hands-on craft where you can create your own bumblebee to take home.
This free activity is open to all ages and is a great way to celebrate the season, spend time together, and get creative.
Event Details:
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Dates: Through March 28
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Times: Thursday and Friday: 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. | Saturday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
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Location: Lacey Museum (4160 6th Ave SE)
Drop in, get crafty, and welcome spring with a little buzz of creativity.
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Saving the Nisqually Delta
Just eight miles northeast of Olympia, the Nisqually Delta remains one of the region’s last largely untouched estuaries. In this presentation, author Janine Gates will share the history of the delta and the community efforts that helped protect it from industrial development.
Gates will draw on her book Saving the Nisqually Delta, highlighting the citizen activism that preserved this vital habitat and key moments in Washington State’s environmental history. She will also discuss the ongoing challenges the delta faces from urban growth and industrial pressures.
Event Details:
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Date: Thursday, April 9
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Time: 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
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Location: Lacey City Hall, Council Chambers
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Want to attend virtually? Register here!
Janine Gates is an Olympia-based freelance journalist and photographer and the author of Saving the Nisqually Delta. She has lived in the area for more than 40 years and has written hundreds of articles for her community news site, Little Hollywood. Gates has also worked with the South Puget Environmental Education Clearinghouse (SPEECH) and the Olympia Historical Society and Bigelow House Museum. Her work focuses on documenting local history and personal stories that give context to the region’s natural and cultural heritage.
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Kids Fishing Day: Reel in the Fun!
Bring the whole family to Longs Pond for a day of fishing, learning, and outdoor adventure! This hands-on event is designed for kids ages 4–14. Participants will get to cast a line, pick up fishing tips from experienced volunteers, and enjoy time in nature. Each registered child receives a rod and reel to take home!
Event Details:
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Date: Saturday, April 11
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Session Times: 8 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m.
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Location: Longs Pond, Woodland Creek Community Park
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Cost: $7 per participant
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Ages: 4–14
Visit the Kids Fishing Day webpage for more information and to register.
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Create a Healthier Home: Protect Kids from Toxics
Looking for simple ways to make your home safer and healthier? Join a free community presentation focused on protecting children from everyday household toxics!
Hosted by Thurston County Public Health & Social Services and the Lacey Timberland Library, this informative session will cover easy, low-cost steps you can take to create a healthier home environment. Participants will learn how to identify, store, and safely dispose of household hazardous products, choose safer cleaning options, improve indoor air quality, and prevent and clean up mold.
Light refreshments will be provided, and each household will receive a free safer cleaning kit with supplies valued at over $40.
Event Details:
Date: Tuesday, March 24, 2026
Time: 5 – 6 p.m.
Location: Lacey Timberland Library (500 College Street SE)
For more information, call 360-867-2674 or email HealthyHomes@co.thurston.wa.us.
| Nisqually Tribe Invites Community Members to Volunteer for the Canoe Journey 2026, Paddle to Nisqually Medicine Creek Potlatch | |
The Nisqually Tribe has participated in the annual Canoe Journeys since 1994 and has used this event to strengthen its culture, its community, and its families. Historical cultural practices, from carving techniques to gifting ceremonies, and cedar weaving to regalia making, have been revived and rediscovered, while songs have resurfaced to be shared at Journey's end.
Take part in this historical event, July 31 - August 6, by volunteering. You can select the areas (meals, transportation, culture, etc.), days, and times that work best for you.
Visit the Nisqually Tribe's website to learn more.
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March 17 Meeting Recap
The Lacey City Council took the following actions at the March 17, 2026, Council meeting:
- Approved the following meeting minutes:
- January 30, 2026
- February 6, 2026
- February 24, 2026
- March 3, 2026 (dinner meeting)
- March 3, 2026 (regular meeting)
- Approved payment of claims, wages, and transfers of February 2 through March 6, 2026
- Proclaimed March 31, 2026, as Transgender Day of Visibility
- Adopted Ordinance 1698, amending the 2026 budget to reappropriate 2025 budgeted amounts for projects not completed in 2025
- Adopted Ordinance 1699, repealing Chapter 5.06 of the LMC--Social Card Games Prohibited
- Awarded Contract PW2005-18 to qualified low bidder Rognlin's Inc. in the amount of $438,946.94
For more details on the City Council, visit their webpage.
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Commission on Equity Meeting
Monday, March 23 at 5:30 p.m.
City Council Worksession
Tuesday, March 24 at 6 p.m.
Planning Commission Meeting
Wednesday, March 25 at 6
For details on how to participate in our Public Meetings, visit our webpage.
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Now Hiring
The City is recruiting for the following positions:
If you have any questions about these positions, contact the Human Resources Department. To learn more and apply for any of our current openings, visit our recruitment webpage.
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City of Lacey
420 College Street SE
Lacey, WA 98503
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Call: 360-491-3214
Visit: CityofLacey.org
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