Powering a Community's Future: System Solutions of Washington and the Tulalip Utilities Facility Upgrade
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.
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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.
The Electrical Scope: Building a Modern Utility Facility from the Ground Up
Replacing a 1960s-era utility facility with a modern, code-compliant 2-story building requires a complete electrical build-out from the ground up. For System Solutions of Washington, this meant designing and installing electrical systems capable of supporting the facility's diverse operational demands — from the precision power requirements of the upgraded water quality laboratory to the customer service area, administrative offices, and building-wide life safety systems.
Key elements of the electrical scope included:
- Full electrical service installation for a new 2-story, 7,800-square-foot commercial facility
- Laboratory power systems supporting EPA-compliant water and wastewater sampling equipment
- Lighting throughout — office, laboratory, customer service, and common areas
- Life safety systems — emergency egress lighting, exit signage, and fire alarm integration
- Communications and low-voltage infrastructure supporting the department's operational technology
- Code-compliant installation meeting current Washington State L&I and NEC requirements throughout
One of the notable challenges on this project was the availability of electrical and communications materials during construction — a supply chain issue that affected project timelines and required the team to adapt in the field. System Solutions of Washington worked through these delays in close coordination with LCi and the Tulalip Utilities team, keeping the project moving toward its completion milestone.
"We overcame them by pivoting in the field and working around the infrastructure and figuring out a way to make it work," said Leslie.
Partnering with LCi | Lincoln Construction, Inc.
LCi | Lincoln Construction, Inc. has been building in the Puget Sound region since 1953. Based in Puyallup, Washington, LCi specializes in municipal, civic, educational, and commercial construction — with deep experience in GC/CM and Design-Build delivery for public agencies and tribal entities across Western Washington.
The Tulalip Utilities facility aligns with LCi's portfolio of community-serving projects—facilities that require careful coordination with active operations, tribal leadership, and multiple stakeholders throughout the construction process. System Solutions of Washington's role as the electrical subcontractor reflects the trusted subcontractor relationship LCi has built over seven decades of Pacific Northwest construction.
What This Project Means for the Tulalip Community
The Tulalip Utilities Department is responsible for the water and wastewater systems that serve the Tulalip Reservation — a community that has grown significantly in recent decades and continues to expand. The new facility positions the department to meet that growth with modern infrastructure, improved regulatory compliance capabilities, and a safer, more functional working environment for the staff who keep those systems running.
For System Solutions of Washington, this project represents something we take pride in: delivering electrical systems for facilities that matter. Not just office buildings or retail spaces — but the operational infrastructure that communities depend on every day.
About System Solutions of Washington
System Solutions of Washington is a licensed commercial and industrial electrical contractor based in Lynnwood, WA. We serve building contractors, developers, and public agencies throughout King, Snohomish, Pierce, and Whatcom counties — delivering electrical systems for new construction, modernizations, tenant improvements, and infrastructure upgrades across the greater Puget Sound region.
Our work on the Tulalip Utilities facility joins a portfolio of community-serving projects that includes the Lynnwood Justice and Recovery Center, Kopachuck Middle School, Franklin Pierce High School, MCOB Community Transit Facility, and more.
Ready to discuss your next project?
๐ (425) 249-2076 โ๏ธ fredw@systemsolutionswa.com ๐ systemsolutionswa.com
System Solutions of Washington LLC is a licensed electrical contractor based in Lynnwood, WA. All electrical work is performed by certified electricians in compliance with Washington State L&I requirements and the adopted National Electrical Code.
