Friday, November 7, 2025
The Port of Olympia Commission discussed their next steps for the proposed Waterfront Center now that the port has decided to relocate its administrative offices to a former Dancing Goats Coffee building near the marine terminal entrance.
The port had planned to construct a mixed-use building near Swantown Marina to house its admin office, the marina office and other tenants. The project is regarded by the port as a catalyst for developing the port peninsula in line with its Destination Waterfront plan, which envisions turning the area into a revenue-generating destination.
In August 2024, momentum for the project slowed down after the commission chose to limit its upfront commitment to the project by allocating just $129,000 for the design of the building. The commissioners were concerned about committing more funds to the project when they did not yet have information about who else might possibly want to use the building.
The port is also downscaling the project as it would now only house the marina office after the commission decided in February 2025 to buy the former Dancing Goats Coffee building, which it would use for its admin office.
Without the port’s admin office serving as the anchor tenant, a market analysis found there was no justification for having the building, the port community and economic development director, Mike Reid, told the commission on Monday, May 19.
“There is not a market, and it would not be justified to go build a spec building without an anchor at it,” said Reid in summarizing the results of the analysis.
To move the project forward, Reid proposed three options but primarily emphasized a “solicitation of interest” process to gauge interest for the property. The process would include businesses and nonprofits looking to either develop the site or become a tenant.
The second option would be to conduct a request for proposal process (RFP) to find a developer for the project. Reid cautioned the port would have to issue a contract at the end of the RFP process, which might be problematic if the port finds none of the proposals acceptable.
The third option would be to get a commercial broker to find someone to lease the property.
Before moving with any of these options, Reid said the port would have to define what it wants for the property, what would be nice to have, and the non-negotiables. The port would also have to develop submittal guidelines and a process for reviewing proposals.
Commissioner Jasmine Vasavada agreed with Reid’s suggestion to solicit interest as a way to test the waters and find the right partner for the waterfront.
Vasavada said she has specific outcomes in mind for the project and believes a solicitation of interest could help determine the possibilities.
Commissioner Amy Evans Harding said she preferred an RFP process to find a developer, so the port does not have to take more responsibility given the cost of construction and the market conditions.
It was mentioned that the likely anchor tenant would be a restaurant, which Evans Harding said would benefit from a more straightforward RFP process.
Evans Harding added that soliciting for interest might not attract the right people who actually have the capacity to get the building done, recalling that nonprofits have expressed interest in the property before, only for those deals not to pencil out.
Discussion on the Waterfront Center will resume at another work session. Reid said he will review comments from the commissioners to form a policy statement that will guide the project moving forward.
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TheVirtualOne
While the City of Olympia throws millions down the drain on rising sea level consultants, the dysfunctional Port commission wastes millions more of taxpayer money on waterfront offices.
Wednesday, May 21 Report this
johnvaneenwyk
"The project is regarded by the port as a catalyst for developing the port peninsula in line with its Destination Waterfront plan, which envisions turning the area into a revenue-generating destination.” This will not happen by covering more the peninsula with construction. Make the peninsula a park, with trees for shade and shelter, paths for walking, scenic overlooks to showcase Budd Inlet, possible a small business like a coffee shop—and people will come. That would generate a lot of business for downtown merchants as well as recreational benefits for everyone who visits.
The Port has met with very limited success in reducing the tax money that Thurston County residents pour into its failing enterprises. But by being a business generator, it can greatly enhance the downtown businesses that are struggling to attract customers. Very few people like to visit industrial ports. By replacing the present money-losing deep-water port fixation with an attractive natural environment would benefit local businesses and the residents of Thurston County.
That would create a true revenue-generating Destination Waterfront.
Wednesday, May 21 Report this
Snevets
Agreed @johnvaneenwyk.
Thursday, May 22 Report this
HappyOlympian
Port needs to be dissolved. Must repeat the obvious - why build where it is expected sea-level rise is imminent? Seems like a lot of effort for what is essentially entertainment.
Thursday, May 22 Report this
Callie
I also agree with johnvaneenwyk - the marina needs an office, the port needs an office, boaters need some storage and restrooms. That's enough. People already flock to the small amount of park-like trail, dog walkers are there daily, for the rest of the area- make it compatible with the risk of rising water. Vegetation and trails. Look a decade ahead.
We need housing in-filling and density, AND we need a place for people to get outside-what better than a spot that is high risk for building, where digging foundations might stir up that old toxic creosote. Leave it capped.
Plant trees and picnic tables.
Thursday, May 22 Report this
Boatyarddog
DISSOLVE THE MARINE TERMINAL , plan for sea level rise, those that deny sea level, are uneducated fools. Its happening, better plan on it.
As to The Waterfront Plan, do we really think a resturant that competes with Local venues, like downtown eateries and Anthonys is Neighborly, let alone wise for existing Olympia local already struggling.
And FORGET THE PASSENGER FERRIES. STOP WASTING MORE MONEY ON A FRAILING PIG... AKA PORT OF OLYMPIA
Friday, May 23 Report this