Port of Olympia Commission approves purchase of Dancing Goats Coffee building 

The Port of Olympia Commission authorized the purchase of the Dancing Goats Coffee building near the marine terminal entrance for $2,157,850. The commission made the decision at a meeting on Monday, Feb. 10.

The port intends to use the building as its new administrative office, which would save the port $300,000 a year in rental costs. 

The commissioners were unanimously in favor of the purchase. Commissioner Amy Evans Harding noted that the purchase of the building had community support and received the least amount of dissent out of all the decisions she had to make as a port commissioner. 

Commissioner Bob Iyall said the purchase of the building was a “great move” for the port and shows its “proactive approach to asset management.” 

He added, “I think it's a testament to the port's ability to be flexible and nimble in cases where we can take advantage of an opportunity like this." 

Before authorizing the purchase, the commission had to approve an amendment to its 2025 budget for the same amount. 

Waterfront Center

Before talks about the purchase came about, the port intended to move its offices to the proposed Waterfront Center near Swantown Marina.  

Port of Olympia Executive Director Alex Smith assured the commission the port is still moving forward with the Waterfront Center even though it won’t house its offices any longer. The proposed building would still contain the offices of the marina as originally planned. 

“The difference now is it's likely to be a smaller facility because we don't need an entire floor dedicated to port administrative offices,” Smith said. 

“We're still having conversations with other members of the community that might want to participate in a waterfront center, organizations like Olympia Community Sailing. We still have conversations going with some educational institutions as well." 

Evans Harding said she was “excited” about the direction that the Waterfront Center is taking. 

“I'm excited to continue exploring opportunities there, because I think the transition from port offices to another community-facing or revenue-generating opportunity to me, would be more exciting than where we were,” Evans Harding said. 

The commissioner also recalled that Commissioner Sarah Montano, formerly Sarah Tonge, suggested reducing the scope of the contracts for the design firm of the Waterfront Center so that they will not be obligated to spend more on the project without knowing what the center would be really used for. 

“We'll be able to look at the highest and best use of the property,” said Montano in response to Evans Harding. 

Port staff had recommended a contract with EHDD Architecture in August 2024 for at least $1 million in value before Montano suggested a reduced contract of just $129,000. 

The scope of the contract includes a market analysis for the building, which will soon be presented to the commission, according to Smith.