Forging Futures: Welding Shop Renovation at Mount Vernon High School

System Solutions of Washington partnered with LCi | Lincoln Construction, Inc. to deliver the complete electrical scope for the Tulalip Utilities Department's newly upgraded 7,800-square-foot facility — a project nearly two years in the making that now serves as the operational backbone of the Tulalip community's water and wastewater infrastructure. Some projects are about more than electrical systems. They're about the people who depend on them. The Tulalip Utilities Department serves the Tulalip Tribes community in Snohomish County, Washington — managing the water and wastewater systems that keep homes, businesses, and tribal facilities running. For years, the department operated out of a building constructed in the early 1960s. By the time planning for a replacement began in 2021, the facility had outlived its useful life. Electrical systems no longer met code. Foundation cracks, roof leaks, mold — including some of the most hazardous varieties — and even wildlife infestations had made the building a health and safety concern for the employees who worked there every day. "The building was just timed out," said Mike Leslie, Tulalip Utilities Operations Administrator. "It was built in the early 60s, so it had seen its useful days." The solution was a ground-up replacement: a modern, 2-story, 7,800-square-foot facility designed to serve the Tulalip community for decades. System Solutions of Washington was selected to deliver the electrical scope, working alongside general contractor LCi | Lincoln Construction, Inc. — a Puget Sound-based firm with over 70 years of experience building schools, municipal facilities, and commercial projects across Western Washington. The ribbon was cut on May 25, 2026, with Tulalip Tribes Chairman Hazen Shopbell presiding over the celebration. A Facility Built for the Community It Serves The new Tulalip Utilities building wasn't designed simply to replace what was lost. It was designed to improve every aspect of how the department operates and serves its community. Customer Service: The new layout brings reception staff and billing specialists together in a single, accessible location — making it easier for tribal community members and utilities customers to get questions answered quickly and efficiently. The previous facility lacked a proper customer-facing space. Laboratory Capabilities: The centerpiece of the new building is an upgraded laboratory that allows Tulalip Utilities to process water and wastewater samples required under updated Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) permits. The new lab provides sampling capabilities and equipment that position the department to meet regulatory requirements well into the future. Employee Safety and Wellbeing: The previous building posed documented health risks to employees — including three types of mold, structural deterioration, and pest infestations. The new facility was designed from the ground up with employee health, safety, and comfort as a priority.  Future Growth: Additional space was built into the structure to accommodate employee expansion as the Tulalip community continues to grow. The facility was designed not just for today's needs, but for the next generation of utility operations.

Before your next tenant signs, know what your building's electrical system can support. System Solutions of Washington breaks down TI electrical responsibilities, shell delivery conditions, and what to include in your work letter.