Thursday, October 1, 2026
The Olympia City Council will discuss a long-term solution to its Municipal Court and related services following the sale of Lee Creighton Justice Center to the Squaxin Island Tribe.
On Thursday, June 12, the city council will hold a study session to consider options, including the permanent solution of using city-owned 108 State St. property and the council chambers to house the court and its programs.
The city council will also receive briefings on Thurston County District programs and services, and negotiations related to an interlocal agreement with the county for judicial services.
On April 8, the city council approved the sale of the 10.47-acre property at 900 Plum St. SE to Squaxin Island Tribe for $8.2 million.
The property, commonly known as the Lee Creighton Justice Center, housed critical city services, including the Olympia Municipal Court and court-relates services.
The campus also included the Yashiro Japanese Garden, Plum Street Tiny Home Village, Olympia Police Department evidence storage, as well as a Saturday waste drop-off site.
Three relocation options were previously presented to the council:
The city staff recommended the third option.
"This option aligns with both the city's commitment to reimagining public safety and to council's goal of long-term financial sustainability," states the staff report.
In the previous meetings, the city council asked staff for more information on the feasibility of using 108 State St. and council chambers as a long-term solution to retain municipal court and its related programs. The council also authorized staff to negotiate an interlocal agreement with Thurston County to provide judicial services.
The financial impact of either to maintain the Municipal Court or contracting with the county may result in one-time transition costs ranging from $742,000 to $1.5 million. The municipal court's annual operating budget, currently $2.54 million, would likely remain unchanged if the city retains court operations.
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DianaM
What was the Olympia City Council’s original plan for these services, homes and park before they sold the property? I believe these services and homes can be relocated but what about the Yashiro Japanese Garden? When the Olympia City Council sold this property, did they notify Yashiro, Japan that they were severing the Olympia-Yashiro Sister City Association relationship? Is Olympia planning on packing up and returning the stone lantern and pagoda that was gifted to Olympia from Yashiro? I am not sure how destroying a park representing sisterhood between cities is honoring sustainability. It seems to me the Olympia City Council sold this property without taking time to understand what the property contained.
Wednesday, June 11, 2025 Report this
PeggyJoZim
I am also concerned about the Yashiro Japanese Garden. Does the city have a plan to move the garden? Does the city have a plan on where the people living in the tiny houses will relocate? I would love to see some reporting on what the city plans for both the park and the services.
Thursday, June 12, 2025 Report this
KarenM
It is sad that the City Council did not ask for more detailed plans before selling this property. I don't recall seeing anything in the Parks Planning processes or budgets about moving the Yashiro Garden. This park represents a long standing relationship so a more detailed plan was needed before the abrupt announcement of the sale without specific plans to move or replace the park in some way.
Now is seems that Parks staff are being tasked to make a plan to do something about this when I am sure they have many other projects already on their plate. This will ultimately delay other projects while they are pulled away for this work.
Could the Park have been excluded from the sale? Could the costs of moving the park have been included in the sale price? We won't know that. As it is, moving the park will cost at least a portion of the funds the city received for the sale. Will those sale funds be used to move the park or will existing parks funding be used, which will take away from other park projects?
Thursday, June 12, 2025 Report this