Friday, October 2, 2026
Contract amendments with firms involved with the cleanup of the Cascade Pole site, design of a new headquarters and auditing work passed muster with the Port of Olympia Commission.
The commission authorized Port of Olympia Executive Director Alex Smith to endorse the three amendments at a meeting on Monday, Sept. 28.
The Cascade Pole site, located at the northern end of the Port of Olympia peninsula, has been listed under the state's Model Toxic Control Act since 1990 due to contamination from industrial wood treating operations at the site from 1930 to 1986. Port of Olympia has been managing remediation of the site under state oversight for years.
In an earlier briefing on Sept. 14, Cascade Pole site Manager Don Bache told the commission that management of the site requires staff to operate, maintain, repair and monitor various remediation systems.
That includes groundwater extraction, a groundwater treatment plant, an asphalt cap over contaminated soil, underground containment walls and offshore sediments.
To assist with the tasks, environmental solutions firm Landau Associates was hired in September 2024 for technical, regulatory and field services across both uplands and offshore areas at the site.
Landau Associates also evaluates and monitors nearby Port of Olympia and non-port projects that might impact or be impacted by the site.
The firm’s original contract was for a maximum amount of $480,000 over four years. Bache said more money was needed as groundwater sampling results unexpectedly created a cascade of unplanned expenses.
He said the results required additional sampling, extra laboratory analysis and extensive interaction with Washington State Department of Ecology.
“The biggest driver I think (was) Ecology asked us for some unprecedented types of sampling and for additional sampling using various different methods in the lab,” Bache said.
Department of Ecology also requested reevaluation of previously accepted reports. Bache said staff had to negotiate with Department of Ecology so they could narrow the work needed to revisit previous reports.
The commission approved increasing Landau Associates contract amount to $780,000 from $480,000 to cover unpaid invoices and upcoming task orders.
The commission also approved adding $125,000 to the contract of Thomas Architecture Studios, which is overseeing the design of Port of Olympia's new headquarters. The amendment raises the firm’s maximum contract amount to $725,000.
In July 2026, the commission approved the purchase of the former Dancing Goats Coffee building near the Olympia marine terminal entrance so it could be renovated and used as the new headquarters.
The additional money covers the cost of finishing the remaining design work and project management needed for the effort.
The commission also authorized an amendment to increase Teresa D. Johnson, CPA Inc.’s contract to $106,500 from $96,500.
The consultant assists with accounting standard requirements and matters involving Office of the Washington State Auditor.
The additional money covers work related to the 2025 audit, negotiations with the state auditor and 2026 annual report. The consultant’s contract ends at the end of the year.
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