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Capital Assets Program Manager James Sommer briefed the Port commission on the consultant agreement with Moffatt & Nichol.

Port hires firm to manage DOT grant for new maintenance facility and repairs

The Port of Olympia has chosen the administrator of a $9 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Maritime Administration that will be used to support various construction … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 7/11/23

At the left table are (from left to right) Joanna Manson, District 5 candidate Troy Kirby, and Rose Chiu Gundersen and at the right table are Bill Moomau, Maggie Sanders, and District 5 candidate Sarah Tonge.

Port District 4 commissioner candidates share their views

Commissioner candidates for the Port of Olympia's fourth district participated in a forum hosted by the League of Women Voters (LVW) of Thurston County in collaboration with Thurston Community Media. … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 7/10/23 | 2 comments

Olympia seeking participants for Arts Walk this fall

Olympia is inviting community members to register for its upcoming fall Arts Walk on October 6 to 7 to celebrate the city’s artists. According to the city’s press release, more than … more

7/6/23

Roles of Downtown Ambassadors have been stretched, Olympia committee reviews options

Olympia's Economic Development Director Mike Reid asked the Community Livability and Public Safety Committee to review the Downtown Ambassador Program to address role clarity and the funding gap. … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 7/5/23 | 1 comment

Lacey’s Land Use and Environment Committee discussing the proposed amendments to the city’s land use hearing examiner system.

Lacey to amend policies on ‘really out of date’ land use hearing examiner system

Lacey’s Land Use and Environment Committee unanimously voted to recommend the proposed amendments to the city’s land use hearing examiner system to the city council. Lacey Planning … more

By JC Medina | 6/29/23

Port aligns contracts of consultant team in Budd Inlet cleanup project

The Port of Olympia Commission approved a series of contract amendments with the Port’s consultants for the Budd Inlet remediation project on Monday, June 26. The amendments extend the … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 6/29/23 | 1 comment

This is the outdoor courtyard at 225 State Avenue NE in Olympia.

Former downtown clinic proposed to become a food hall

The Olympia Site Plan Committee reviewed the renovation proposal to transform the former Providence Community Care Center at 225 State Avenue NE into a food hall, commissary kitchen, and second-floor … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 6/28/23

Port Commissioners Joe Downing and Bob Iyall voted in favor of the raise, while Commissioner Amy Evans Harding dissented.

Port commission approves 4% raise to Executive Director Sam Gibboney

The Port of Olympia Commission voted 2-1 to approve a 4% raise to Executive Director Sam Gibboney’s compensation on Monday, June 26. The raise, which takes effect retroactively to January … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 6/27/23 | 6 comments

Olympia's Land Use and Environment Committee reviewed city staff recommendations on the Rental Housing Registration program's inspection guidelines on Thursday, June 22, 2023. Image of a house icon and key in a paper shopping bag in front of many home icons.

Olympia’s new rental housing registration program starts to gel

Last Thursday, June 22, the Olympia Land Use and Environment Committee reviewed the new Rental Housing Registration program with a presentation of recommendations and discussions around inspections … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 6/26/23 | 12 comments

The upcoming Nisqually Medical Facility is a two-story, 21 750-square-foot building.

Nisqually medical facility in Olympia moves forward

Last June 22, the Olympia Design Review Board met to discuss the construction of Nisqually Healing Center as a two-story outpatient medical facility. According to the staff report , the … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 6/26/23

Port Commissioner Bob Iyall hosts a commissioner chat on Thursday, June 22.

Port Commissioner Iyall on improving port workplace culture, new HR director

Port of Olympia Commissioner Bob Iyall shared what Port management has been doing to improve workplace culture after 22 Port employees signed a letter of no-confidence to Executive Director Sam … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 6/23/23

What's happening next week?

The summer is getting fun. Enjoy local activities for this week, including the anticipated LoveOly Summerfest! Motoamerica Superbikes, Saturday, June 22-25 The fastest motorcycle racing in the … more

6/22/23

A layout plan indicating what sea level measures would be implemented on certain parts of the waterfront.

Destination Waterfront plan for sea level rise measures reviewed by citizen advisory committee

Port of Olympia’s Citizen Advisory Committee reviewed the Destination Waterfront plan with Thomas Architecture Studios, the firm overseeing the project’s development plans, during a … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 6/22/23 | 3 comments

The Olympia Finance Committee reviewed the proposed update for the LTAC program on Wednesday, June 21, 2023.

Olympia’s lodging tax program that funds tourism events and projects, getting looked at for expanding access and revising the vetting

Olympia Economic Development Director Mike Reid and Cultural Access Tax Program Specialist Amelia Layton presented the proposed updates to the lodging tax program, which aim to broaden participation … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 6/22/23 | 2 comments

Olympia City Council approves residential parking ordinance, a compromise on original scrapped plan

With a vote of 7-2, the Olympia City Council approved on Tuesday the first and final reading of the residential parking ordinance, which among other things, retains the current maximum of 1.5 spaces … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 6/21/23 | 8 comments

Experience Olympia and Beyond Chief Executive Officer Annette Pitts

Experience Olympia and Beyond briefs BOCC on Thurston's post-pandemic tourism landscape

On Thursday's work session, the Board of County Commissioners received a briefing on Experience Olympia and Beyond's multi-layered approach to assessing Thurston County's post-pandemic tourism … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 6/16/23 | 1 comment

Capital Planning Manager Tyle Zuchowski updates the LOTT Clean Water Alliance about the rehabilitation project of the county’s centrate handling facility.

LOTT looks at low-interest loan to rehabilitate sludge processing plant

LOTT may have to take out a loan to finance the restoration of a waste-handling facility. Capital Planning Manager Tyle Zuchowski updated the LOTT Clean Water Alliance about the rehabilitation … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 6/16/23

Olympia Councilmember Dani Madrone is eyeing the possibility of code changes in commercial parking.

Olympia City Council eyes possible changes to Capitol Mall Triangle area commercial parking

Olympia Councilmember Dani Madrone is zeroing in on the overabundance of parking in the Capitol Mall Triangle area as she inquired about the possibility of code changes related to commercial parking … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 6/14/23 | 1 comment

Documents prepared for a Port Commission meeting showed an initial layout plan for the planned Marine Waterfront Center.

Port hits pause to review sole source contract for aquarium designs

The Port of Olympia Commission tabled a sole source contract with MIG Architecture, the target firm which would design the aquarium exhibits at the planned Marine Waterfront Center. The … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 6/14/23

Tumwater plans to lease 60 golf carts from PNC Equipment Finance, LLC for $198.00 per cart per month, which totals totaling $712,800 for five years.

Tumwater Golf Club gains golf team, golf carts also being replaced

Tumwater City Council approved an agreement on Tuesday, June 6, allowing the city to lease 60 golf carts from PNC Equipment Finance, LLC for $198.00 per cart per month, totaling … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 6/14/23 | 3 comments