Thurston County to move general departments to Pacific Avenue

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In a press release, the Thurston County Commissioners agreed to move forward to lease The Atrium Building, located at 3000 Pacific Avenue in Olympia to house the county’s general government departments. 

On Tue., Oct. 5, the county commissioners directed Thurston County Manager Ramiro Chavez to sign a seven-year lease. According to the proposed agreement, the annual lease for the building will range from $1.5 to $1.8 million, or $17.50 per square foot. The county commission stated that the lease agreement will provide more than $4 million in savings.

In a statement, Chavez explained that the move is temporary, “The intent of the move to this leased space isn’t a permanent solution to the needs of the county.” He continued that the lease agreement “provides the county with an option to expand the much-needed space for the law and justice system and allows time for us to develop a more permanent solution for the Courthouse Complex.”

The move came as a result of the growing need for more office space within the Courthouse Complex. In preparation for the transfer, the county is making improvements to the Atrium to accommodate the new offices.  

Some of the departments which will be transferred to the Atrium include:

  • The Board of County Commissioners
  • Commissioner’s Chambers/Board Room
  • Assessor’s Office
  • Auditor’s Office
  • Treasurer’s Office
  • Community Planning and Economic Development (CPED)
  • Public Works Development Review
  • Public Health and Social Services Environmental Health Permit Review
  • Central Services Administrationand Accounting
  • Board of Equalization
  • Information Technology
  • Geodata
  • Human Resources.

This provides the Courthouse Complex with more office space. The County confirmed that Building 1 of the Courthouse will serve as the Clerk’s Office, Pre-Trial Services, and Prosecuting Attorney’s Office (Criminal and Civil Divisions).

Other buildings at the Courthouse Complex include:

  • Building 2, Superior Court.
  • Building 3, District Court
  • Building 4 for the Public defense, drug court, and resource hub
  • Buildings 5 and 6 are dedicated for the Sheriff’s Office

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