The Olympia City Council will soon hear public commentary on the proposed Comprehensive Plan Amendment and Re-zone concerning Urban Waterfront Housing. The amendment will allow for mid-rise rather than the existing low-rise development on the isthmus; the benefits of which far outweigh any negatives.

This proposal is consistent with the State of Washington Growth Management Act and County-wide Planning Policies for Thurston County. Allowing mixed-use development that includes housing increases the density of our downtown and decreases potential sprawl from regional growth. It will extend the perceived perimeter of our active downtown core with the addition of mixed-use retail and office space to an area that is currently underutilized. Residents will provide an influx of customers to existing downtown businesses and provide incentive for further investment by new business or property owners.

Concerning views, the Olympia Downtown Association understands the importance of preserving the unique beauty of our capital city and has worked hard for many years to do so. We know that any construction downtown is going to affect a view in some way or another. The proposal recommended by the Planning Commission takes into account view corridors not specifically protected by city plans or regualations and still finds the impact to be minimal. The vacant buildings located on the site already affect pedestrian views. In addition, allowing for a stepped-back facade and minimizing the footprint of the original proposal does not significantly alter the view from the Capitol campus above Heritage Park.

For Immediate Release: June 3, 2008
Contact: Janine Gates, President, SPEECH, 360-791-7736

Community Forum, "Envision Downtown Olympia"

A public forum on Downtown Olympia's future will be held on Thursday, June 19, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 1224 Legion Way SE.

The forum, "Envision Downtown Olympia," is sponsored by the non-profit organization South Puget Environmental Education Clearinghouse (SPEECH) with support from the Community Sustaining Fund. The public is invited to envision different perspectives on what we, as a community, want for downtown Olympia. The forum will also address the Urban Waterfront Rezone proposal submitted to the city by Triway Enterprises.

Forum speakers include Rich Hoey, Water Resources Director at City of Olympia Public Works, who will give a presentation on predicted sea-level rise in downtown Olympia; Barbara Gooding, former director of the Washington State Department of Community Development and former City of Olympia planning commissioner, who will offer a brief history of Olympia's current downtown zoning issues; Steve Cooper, downtown property owner; and Bob Jacobs, former mayor of Olympia and member of Friends of the Waterfront. Eve Johnson, former president of the League of Women Voters, will be the moderator.

Audience members will actively participate in the visioning and discussion.

SPEECH can be reached at (360) 528-9158, speech.greenpages@gmail.com or www.oly-wa.us/greenpages.