HomeMy WebLinkAboutTCC RFP response Jefferson County American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funds - Gateway Welcome CenterTCC – Tourism Coordinating Council
of Jefferson County, WA
Council Members –
Diana Smeland, TCC Chair-
Resort at Port Ludlow
Bill Roney, TCC Past Chair-
Olympic Peninsula Gateway VIC
Cleone Telling,
Worthington Park, Quilcene
Dan Ventura,
Cove RV, Brinnon
Amy Neil - Kalaloch Resort, Forks
Marsha Massey, Olympic Peninsula Tourism Commission
Aaron Terada, Fort Flagler State Park, Nordland
Crystie Kisler, Finnriver, Chimacum
Bethany Smith,
Old Alcohol Plant & Inn, Port Hadlock
Heidi Eisenhour,
Commissioner to TCC
Marketing Coordinator -
Steve Shively, S3 Solutions
TCC -
2023 E. Sims Way - #308
Port Townsend, WA 98368
p. 360-440-7006 | f. 360-912-8352
e. tcc@enjoyolympicpeninsula.com
www.EnjoyOlympicPeninsula.com
To: Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners
From: Jefferson County - Tourism Coordinating Council
Date: February 9, 2023
Re.: Request for Proposals: Jefferson County American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funds
Conditional to being awarded the opportunity to operate the Olympic Peninsula Gateway Visitor
Information Center (VIC), TCC (Tourism Coordinating Council), on behalf of the VIC, submits this
Jefferson Co. ARPA grant proposal, requesting $58,550 for permitting and design work needed towards
developing a new “Gateway Welcome” Center at SR 104 & SR 19.
TCC has not received previous ARPA or Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES)
awards from Jefferson County. In fact, TCC was the first of LTAC’s (Lodging Tax Advisory Committee)
2020 recipients to voluntarily reduce by $63,550 the previously awarded tourism marketing allocation due
to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The economic development and public benefit to Jefferson County residents and visitors to the north
Olympic Peninsula through the development of this Gateway Welcome Center will be significant. This
plan incorporates site programming amenities of: Visitor and staff parking, transit and commercial highway
rest area, RV camping, trails, amphitheater, Public restrooms, Lobby, Multi-agency information and exhibit
areas, Classrooms, Administration, Sales (gift shop, food services), building mechanical, electrical, security
and IT. Interpretive kiosks and waysides – including the Puget Sound to Pacific’s Olympic Peninsula
connector to the Great American Rail-Trail and the ODT (Olympic Discovery Trail).
Inspired by the February 2003 County commissioned site concept and feasibility study by Miller Hull
and SvR Design, (see illustration), we request the following budget towards development of the 15 acres
of County property:
Preliminary Olympic Peninsula Gateway Welcome Center ARPA budget request
Civil engineering 4,950
Septic system design 11,100
Geotechnical engineering 5,500
County Health, Pre-application filings 2,950
Architect 10,000
Project Manager 17,850
Capacity Building/Development 6,200
Total $58,550
Upon being awarded operations of the VIC, TCC intends to create a separate 501(c)3 for VIC
administration and additional fundraising capacity. Initial sources to be explored for partnership in
development and collaborative operations of a new Gateway Welcome VIC include:
• Direct Appropriation
• Rural Mobility Transportation Grant
• OZ – Qualified Opportunity Zone investment funding
• LTAC
• Tourism Promotion Areas (TPA)
• P3 (PPP or Public-Private Partnership)
• Scenic Byway Grant,
• Foundations and regional funding
The Olympic Peninsula Gateway VIC currently extends hospitality in the form of information and
regular emergency / incidental aid to our valued Olympic Peninsula visitors.
TCC embraces the enormous potential of a regional Gateway Welcome Center, and encourages strategic
leadership from the County to maximize the potential that upcoming WSDOT roundabout construction,
and available regional and federal funding might provide for the future.
Thank you for your consideration.