Thursday, October 1, 2026
The Port of Olympia is moving forward with a plan to construct a 70,000-square-foot warehouse at its Marine Terminal.
The plan was presented to the City of Olympia Site Plan Review Committee at a meeting on Wednesday, July 2.
In the narrative submitted to the committee, the Port of Olympia's proposed structure, known as Warehouse B, would be built east of the existing 76,000-square-foot Warehouse A at 915 Washington St. NE in Olympia.
The site, which is currently paved with asphalt, is situated between two active railroad spurs. The new building would measure 460 feet wide by 150 feet long and consist of a prefabricated steel frame wrapped in a durable fabric membrane. It would rest on a foundation with specialized footings and stem walls.
According to James Sommer, Public Works Program Manager for the Port of Olympia, the warehouse is intended to support various cargo types received at the marine terminal.
As part of the development, the Port of Olympia plans to redirect stormwater flow into its on-site treatment system, away from the current outfall, in order to improve environmental management.
Victoria England, a Senior Environmental Scientist for consulting firm Moffatt & Nichol, outlined the project's flood protection mechanism, including the use of AquaFence technology in the warehouse entryways to protect against potential flooding.
Olympia Building Official Erik Jensen discussed flood control requirements given the project's location within a floodplain and future sea level rise zone.
He said the warehouse project must meet the standards set forth in the Olympia Municipal Code Chapter 16.70 (Flood Damage Prevention) and 16.80 (Sea Level Rise).
The project will include a raised stem wall foundation, expected to reach 16 feet to accommodate both the current 14-foot flood elevations and projected sea level rise. Jensen recommended an additional 6 inches for added protection based on past king tide events.
Jensen also discussed the use of floodgates at the warehouse's four entry points. Jensen stressed that each opening must be equipped with its own gate — not shared — to ensure reliable flood protection, citing past failures when single gates were reused. An elevation certificate will be required, and all gates must be installed and inspected prior to project finalization.
Olympia's Engineering Plans Examiner Zulaika Kim said the project is currently classified as a flow control exempt area. She listed the following stormwater requirements:
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Wesley
Let's get a deal done and put this building up post-haste!!
Thursday, July 3, 2025 Report this
TheVirtualOne
Is this going to contribute to making the Port profitable? Last time I looked, the Port was losing money. Would be interesting to see the analysis of how this new warehouse will improve the bottom line.
Thursday, July 3, 2025 Report this
TheVirtualOne
I looked it up. The Port’s 2024 net loss was $2 million.
Thursday, July 3, 2025 Report this
BobJacobs
This article says "the warehouse is intended to support various cargo types received at the marine terminal." Wrong -- it is intended to support shipments of eucalyptus pulp used in the manufacture of soft paper products like toilet paper and paper towels. It is for a single company, which makes it very vulnerable financially.
The existing warehouse has gone for long stretches with little or no material to store. That is likely to be the fate of this one too.
The Port District's history with major facilities like cargo cranes (twice), boat fueling, and warehouse facilities in Lacey has been dismal. Here we go again. And the commissioners and staff don't seem to worry about financial losses because they can just tax us more.
Our new Port commissioners came into office promising a change. That hasn't worked. Let's try again.
Bob Jacobs
Friday, July 4, 2025 Report this
Chris_R
Mr. Jacobs is correct, this is for Suzano, and Suzano only. If they want it, let Suzano pay for it. Why do taxpayers have to pay for Suzano's infrastructure? Let's see the lease commitment; let's see the projected cash flows and IRR. The deflection about sea level rise is nonsense. This "temporary" structure will be long gone before that becomes a factor.
Friday, July 4, 2025 Report this
Boatyarddog
Continued Leadership with this Commission has been tainted with past mistakes and flawed reasoning.
The Marine Terminal has lost Revenue continuously for over Ten Years... it Should be eliminated Completely, NOW This Commission would have the stakeholders "subsidize" another BAD decision by building a warehouse for Another Unrealistic BAD business Venture Bound to Sit Empty or Mostly not being used for its intended Usage.
Compounded by excess STORM WATER INFILTRATION to a Treatment System unable to handle the excess.
Looks like more litigation may be in Store for this BAD BUSINESS PORT.
CLOSE THE MARINE TERMINAL, save the Waterfront for Future Generations
Friday, July 4, 2025 Report this