DuPont Event & Tourism Center

September 23, 2026
City of DuPont
Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for Architecture, Engineering Services
The City of DuPont is soliciting Statements of Qualifications (SOQ) from architecture
and engineering firms to assist in the design for the conversion of an existing community
center into an event and tourism center.
The existing community center was built in 1910, located in the City's Historic Village at
303 Barksdale Ave. The building is approximately 4,340 sq. ft. and sits on a 15,446 sq.
ft. lot. A feasibility study was completed May 2026, and can be found:
https://bit.ly/4dSATuC
The City has selected Option 2 from the feasibility study for a modern building code
renovation and expanding the existing building to 5,150 sq. ft. Additionally, to build an
adjacent parking lot by the demolition of an existing city structure. The estimated
construction cost is $3.8M plus sales tax.
The RFQ funding of $350,000 is secured from Pierce County Lodging Tax Advisory
Committee (LTAC). Funding for this project is available from January 1, 2027, to
December 31, 2027. This RFQ effort is through design completion and the submission
of an approved land use application for this project. Funds for the construction phase
and construction management services are pending future funding from Pierce County
LTAC.
Services should include the following:
1. Design: Produce plans, specifications, cost estimate, and schedule for
construction. Design meetings will be with City staff with formal presentations
to elected officials.
2. Community Outreach: Coordinate, host and facilitate at least 4 Community
Input opportunities.
3. Complete all requirements for submission and approval of the City of
DuPont's Land Use Application. Land Use Application: https://bit.ly/4rpTBiO

Future services pending funding include the following:
1. Advertisement for bid, to include bid document administration, a pre-bid walk
through, responding to requests for information, issuance of any addendums,
analysis of the accepted bids, and a recommendation for award.
2. Construction Management Services through the close out of the project.
Interested firms should submit four (4) copies of your SOQ to: City of DuPont, 1700
Civic Drive, DuPont, WA 98327. The SOQ envelope will need to be clearly labeled as
"Statement of Qualifications". Additionally send a PDF copy to awalker@dupontwa.gov.
Submittal deadline is Thursday, 4:00 PM October 15th, 2026. Questions can be
directed to Amy Walker, Parks & Recreation, awalker@dupontwa.gov or (253) 405-
9698.
Submittals should include the following information: Cover letter; information about the
consulting firm including name, office locations, contact information and general
description of services provided; proposed team and qualifications; relevant experience;
and references. Submittals shall be limited to 10 pages excluding front and back
cover. A printed side of paper shall be considered one page.
Submittals will be evaluated by the City's selection team, and ranked based on the
following criteria: 1) Experience of the firm 2) Qualifications of the proposed team 3)
Past performance with reviewing development/converting existing facilities 4) Response
of references. The top ranked firms may be asked to interview. Final selection is
forecasted for mid-November 2026.
People with disabilities may request this information in an alternate format by contacting
Ms. Walker at the above address or phone number.
The City of DuPont hereby notifies all firms that it will affirmatively ensure that in any
contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, minority and women's businesses
will be afforded full opportunity to submit Statements of Qualifications in response to this
invitation and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, national
origin, or sex in consideration of award.
Published: September 25, 2026 with the Tacoma News Tribune.

About DuPont, WA
The City of DuPont is located about 15 miles north of Olympia, WA and about 20 miles
south of Tacoma, WA along the I-5 corridor off Exits 118 and 119 adjacent to and
minutes from Joint Base Lewis-McChord. Most of our residents are active duty military
families but sprinkled in and throughout the community you will find many residents who
have been living in DuPont for decades. Since the construction of the Northwest
Landing Master Planned Community began in 1994, the population of DuPont has
increased from 600 residents to a population over 10,000. With this growth the City has
gradually expanded the types and levels of services it provides to its residents to ensure
an excellent quality of life for our current and future generations.
The City of DuPont prides itself on all that we have to offer in the Parks, Recreation and
Tourism arena. With over 12 miles of paved and unpaved trails, we are also the home to
several historic sites that have played a role in the rich history of the pacific northwest.
We are also home to the Home Course, a championship golf course who have hosted 4
USGA Championships and welcomes over 60,000 visitors to our city annually.
Together, with the DuPont Museum, Parks/Recreation & Tourism host special events
throughout the year to include a thriving Farmers Market that was nominated in the Best
of Pierce County category in 2024.
The City is uniquely positioned to support a vibrant event and conference center, given
its proximity to five local hotels, two publicly accessible golf courses, and a calendar of
seasonal City-hosted events. Additionally, its adjacent to Joint Base Lewis-McChord
presents a significant opportunity to serve both civilian and military communities.
Despite these assets, the city currently lacks a dedicated facility to host mid-sized
gatherings, conferences, and community programs. To address this gap, the City
conducted a feasibility study to repurpose its existing community center into a flexible
event and multipurpose conference venue. The May 2026 feasibility study supports that
an Event & Tourism Center should accommodate 100 to 200 attendees and support a
range of daytime and evening programming. This initiative aligns with the City's broader
goals of economic development, community engagement, and regional collaboration.

The Home Course

Fairy Trails

DuPont Farmers Market