County Approves Funding Gap For The County Commons

Lincoln County officials are continuing to refine the redevelopment plan for the Lincoln County Commons after the project team estimated that the full master-plan vision would cost about $36 million—roughly $6 million above the project’s current $30 million budget.

At the Oct. 7 Board of Commissioners meeting, project manager Joshua Dodson of DPM presented two approaches. The full plan includes a multipurpose event building, a covered rodeo area, restrooms and equipment storage. To stay within the $30 million budget, a reduced version would shrink the multipurpose building and remove the rodeo cover, restrooms and storage facilities.

Dodson said the project is in pre-construction, with the team reviewing costs, schedule and scope and continuing value-engineering work. He also described a possible alternative roofing material for the rodeo structure, though he said the team’s preferred plan uses a more robust metal roof suited to coastal conditions.

Later in the meeting, County Treasurer Jane Welch presented a financing authorization that would increase the bond amount from $23 million to $29 million. She said the financing would include the covered rodeo area, restroom facility and equipment storage. Welch told commissioners the debt could be repaid with transient lodging tax and economic-development funds, rather than the county’s general fund.

The board approved the financing authorization. The design and scope remain under review as the project team works to balance the master plan with available funding. Repayment is expected over 20 years using fair and economic development funds rather than the general fund.

Lincoln County commissioners also approved an amendment to the county’s project management contract with DPM Company for the Lincoln County Commons capital project, extending the work by 13 months as the project’s scope and cost have grown.

At the Oct. 21 Board of Commissioners meeting, county counsel Kristen Yuille said the project was initially estimated to cost $10 million to $12 million but is now estimated at $46 million. At the October 7th meeting however it was estimated that the cost would be $29 million.

The extension is intended to give construction time to finish, with completion now estimated for late 2028. County counsel Yuille said the project management fees would remain below 1.8% of the total project cost, despite the longer timeframe. The amendment was approved by the board.