Business | The JOLT News Organization, A 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization

Executive Sevices Director Lisa Parks briefs the Port of Olympia Commission about the second amendment to a 2008 Agreed Order with the Washington State Department of Ecology.

Port expands scope of agreed order with Ecology to fix Budd Inlet

The Port of Olympia Commission authorized Executive Director Sam Gibboney to sign an amendment to a 2008 Agreed Order with the Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) on Monday, May 22, … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 5/24/23 | 1 comment

The property to be sold to LOTT Clean Water Alliance is located at 608 Washington Street, which is adjacent to the Budd Inlet Treatment Plant.

Port authorizes sale of parking lot property to LOTT on Washington Street

The Port of Olympia Commission authorized Executive Director Sam Gibboney to authorize the sale of a parking lot on 608 Washington Street to LOTT Clean Water Alliance for $1,130,000 on Monday, May … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 5/24/23

Governor Jay Inslee signed ESHB 1791, regarding commercial aviation, on May 15, 2023.

Mega Airport #2 in Thurston County? Governor’s Surprise Veto

The 2023 legislature's Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1791 (2023 ESHB1791) was set to continue the site search, with some better community involvement, better specificity as to excludable areas, and … more

Submitted by Ursula Euler | 5/21/23 | 3 comments

Olympia City Council approved giving $412,500 to fund struggling performance arts organizations in the city.

Olympia approves funding for supporting struggling local theater and other arts programs

Olympia City Council has approved a $412,500 fund to support struggling local theater organizations and invest in downtown Olympia's programs. According to Olympia Economic Development Director … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 5/19/23 | 1 comment

Olympia's Site Plan Review Committee on Wednesday, May 10, 2023, held a presubmission conference for the change of use of the former Mattress Firm location at 2415 Capital Mall Drive SW.

Olympia committee reviews Safelite AutoGlass' possible relocation to 2415 Capital Mall Drive SW

Safelite AutoGlass is eyeing the previous Mattress Firm location at 2415 Capital Mall Drive SW as the possible new site for an auto glass repair shop. At the Olympia Site Plan Review Committee … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 5/15/23 | 1 comment

Ribbon cutting West Olympia Timberland Regional Library Grand Reopening Saturday, May 6.

West Olympia Timberland Library hosted grand reopening last Saturday

The West Olympia Timberland Library hosted a Grand Reopening Saturday, May 6. The library, which is located inside Capital Mall next to Van's store and the entrance nearest Total Wine, used the … more

By Mary Beth Harrington, CVA | 5/9/23 | 1 comment

Olympia Site Plan Committee reviewed two projects – constructing a multi-use building and a retail building along Harrison Avenue on Wednesday, May 3, 2023.

New mixed-use and retail buildings are being planned for Harrison Avenue

The Olympia Site Plan Review Committee held a presubmission conference for two proposals last Wednesday, May 3: an 11,250-square-foot multi-use building at 4315 Harrison Avenue NW and a … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 5/8/23 | 5 comments

A slide from the Port’s September 2022 presentation shows areas of Budd Inlet where dredging would occur.

Port of Olympia secures state funding for Budd Inlet cleanup project

The Port of Olympia secured a total amount of $8.45 million from the 2023-25 state capital budget for the cleanup of Budd Inlet. The state legislature approved the budget on Sunday, April 23, and … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 5/1/23 | 1 comment

At the Olympia Site Review Plan Committee's presubmission conference held Wednesday, April 26, 2023, Architect Josh Gobel presented the plan showing an entrance for each workspace.

Owner wants to convert an 85-year-old downtown warehouse into eight workspaces

The Olympia Site Plan Review Committee heard a proposal to divide an 85-year-old warehouse building located at 304 Olympia Avenue NE to divide into eight workspaces on Wednesday, April 26. Project … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 5/1/23

Jeff Bernard, Rainer Storb, Adrian Storb, Kelton Jenkins paddle in the second annual Squaxin Island Race was held Saturday, April 15, by the Sound Rowers and Paddlers Club.

The Sound Rowers and Paddlers Club held the second annual Squaxin Island Race

The second annual Squaxin Island Race was held Saturday, April 15, by the Sound Rowers and Paddlers Club. The race started out of Boston Harbor Marina, with the start and finish lines close to the … more

By Sage Hamilton | 4/28/23

Music, celebration and street closures for Olympia Artwalk today and tomorrow

Olympia’s Spring Arts walk is in full swing today, with more than 98 locations participating in hosting art experiences. There are more than 225 artists to engage with and activities to enjoy … more

4/28/23

In a meeting held Wednesday, April 26, 2023, the Olympia Community Livability and Public Safety Committee approved the six nominations for the 2023 Heritage Award.

Olympia committee nominates 7 for cultural heritage awards

Olympia Heritage Commission vice chair Garner Miller unveiled this year's Heritage Award nominees, most of whom contributed to the city's music culture, at the Community Livability and Public Safety … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 4/27/23

Capitol Lake Towers is a condominium building; its unit owners would be incorrectly charged some $900 more than specified in the RFA documents due to an error in calculating square footages for each unit.

More errors found in proposed Fire Benefit Charge Calculator for apartments, condos and mixed-use owners

In addition to those reported previously, The JOLT has identified more errors in the calculator provided by Olympia and Tumwater’s proposed Regional Fire Authority (RFA). The calculator allows … more

By Lorilyn Lirio and Danny Stusser | 4/21/23 | 9 comments

Port of Olympia commissioners and executive director are shown meeting on April 17, 2023.

Port commissioners express support for executive director in work session today

Today the Port of Olympia Commissioners addressed how to go forward with the issues around Port Executive Director Sam Gibboney and her leadership. In a Port of Olympia Commission Work Session … more

By Danny Stusser and Sage Hamilton | 4/17/23 | 4 comments

A bus stop with improvements after a renovation that includes a bulb-out to make embarking and disembarking from the front or back doors more accessible to riders.

Intercity Transit to receive federal funding to renovate bus stops

Intercity Transit will be receiving $1,825,950 in federal grant funding to renovate 145 bus stops, the agency announced on Tuesday, April 11. According to a press release from the office of U.S. … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 4/17/23 | 1 comment

The Olympia Parking & Business Improvement Area (PBIA) Advisory Board met on Wednesday, April 12, to finalize the Request for Proposals for the winter Makers Market Event.

Who wants to organize the next Winter Makers Market in downtown Olympia?

Olympia’s Parking & Business Improvement Area (PBIA) Advisory Board finished the final draft of the Request for Proposals (RFP) on Wednesday, April 12, for an entity to oversee the winter … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 4/17/23

The Olympia Site Plan Review Committee heard a proposal for additional commercial buildings at a former Toys“R”Us property along Cooper Point on Wednesday, April 12, 2023.

Former Toys“R”Us property renovation and building proposal poses reorienting landscaping, adding a new commercial building

The Olympia Site Plan Review Committee held a presubmission conference on a proposal to add a new commercial building at a former Toys“R”Us property at 1000 Cooper Point Rd SW. The … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 4/17/23 | 4 comments

Port Commissioner Amy Evans Harding unsuccessfully attempts to insert a discussion about Port Executive Director Sam Gibboney during a commission meeting April 10, 2023.

Port Commission halts public discussion regarding executive director’s performance review

The Port of Olympia Commission halted public discussion of Port Executive Director Sam Gibboney’s performance review during a meeting on Monday, April 10, in the wake of Commissioner Amy Evans … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 4/13/23 | 5 comments

LOTT Executive Director Matt Kennelly discussed the 2050 Master Plan at the LOTT Board meeting on Wednesday, April 12, 2023.

LOTT approves 2050 master plan that provides a roadmap to meet future wastewater capacity needs

The LOTT Clean Water Alliance Board of Directors on Wednesday approved the LOTT 2050 Master Plan, which outlines strategies to treat wastewater and meet future capacity needs in an adaptable and … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 4/13/23

Olympia's Site Plan Committee reviewed a proposed townhouse project at 2011 Walnut Road on April 5, 2023.

Olympia committee hears a proposal for a three-unit townhome on Walnut Road, NW

The Olympia Site Plan Review Committee heard a proposal for building townhomes at an empty lot at 2011 Walnut Road NW on Wednesday. Applicants for the Walnut Townhomes project, Tim Fyrst and Kai … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 4/10/23 | 2 comments