Olympia is seeking proposals that align with the city council's vision to transform the historic 108 State Building downtown into an active historic landmark.
At the Wednesday, October 4, Parking and Business Improvement Area (PBIA) Board meeting, Economic Development Director Mike Reid described the plan for the two-story, 14,790-square-foot structure, which has been vacant for some time.
The building, built in 1912 to serve as the original Olympia City Hall and main fire station, is in the heart of downtown at the intersection of Capitol Way and State Avenue.
Reid said the building was most recently housed the Family Support Center. The city occasionally uses it for emergency shelter during cold or hot weather.
According to Reid, the council expressed its vision for the building "to turn it into an active historic building that increases pedestrian activity and creates a lasting and unique destination in the downtown core."
Olympia requested proposals (RFP) on September 1 to find a long-term user for the building. The city extended the deadline for submission of bids to October 25.
"Ideally, they want to lease the building. They want to retain the ownership," Reid said, adding that the city is also open to selling the building, depending on the proposal.
Reid has given tours to many interested parties with ideas ranging from a history museum to a boutique hotel to a music venue.
Reid said they seek responses from individuals who could effectively present a business plan and must consider several key factors. These include defining [business] identity, stating their objectives and intentions, outlining the operation procedures, and identifying the target market for their proposal.
A review team will assess the proposals and provide recommendations to the council, which would authorize the staff to initiate negotiations.
A coalition led by the Olympia Arts & Heritage Alliance (OlyAHA), which seeks to create a history museum in the building is preparing a proposal along with partners from the Olympia Historical Society & Bigelow House Museum, the Squaxin Island Tribe, Firehouse 5 and Kokua's Hummingbird Studio, according to OlyAHA's chair, Thomas R. Henderson.
"AHA looks forward to establishing a museum in the historic 1912 Historic City Hall/Fire Station, creating a space where all feel welcome and invited to experience the history, arts, and cultures telling the story of Olympia," Henderson told The JOLT.
Mike Reid said such a concept is common for the city to lease its property-owned buildings.
"The Washington Center is a city building with an operator. The Children's Museum is a city-owned building with an operator. The Farmers Market building is a city-owned building with an operator, which is not uncommon. So we've had success with this model before," Reid explained.
Proposals may be sent to: City of Olympia, Attn: Mike Reid, Economic Development Director, PO Box 1967, Olympia, WA 98507-1967.
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AugieH
Downtown Olympia is such an armpit, it's hard to believe conversion of one historic building into an active historical landmark will make any difference. But, I guess you have to start somewhere. Just don't make it a nail salon, ok?
Tuesday, October 10, 2023 Report this
Southsoundguy
History aside, the building, like most downtown, is probably trash. Tear it down and build something nicer.
Wednesday, October 11, 2023 Report this
Richard
I would like to see additional space devoted to Olympia youth. While I know various programs exist, I believe youth need space where they have some ownership and autonomy. Spaces with adult supervised programs are not going to fill the void which is often filled with a plethora of undesirable activities. A space with pool tables, games art, meeting and video spaces, some sort of food and beverages etc, could draw youth in who see enough of tightly scheduled, adult led activities. With some adult advisors, youth could learn Robert's Rules of Order or other consensus processes and gain a sense of empowerment which is lacking in most youth programs.
Wednesday, October 11, 2023 Report this
mtndancer
Why not reinstate the Family Support Center in this space? after all, it is accessible by all the bus lines, which many families need to use. The current FSC is out on the fringes, not as helpful to those who need it. Putting it right downtown again will increase the pedestrian traffic that is mentioned as desirable.
Thursday, October 12, 2023 Report this