Lacey center back on hold

LACEY – Saying it’s not the right time, the City Council tabled further discussion about development of a convention or conference center.

Thursday night’s action doesn’t mean the proposal is dead, however. Individual council members plan to broach the issue before regional bodies, including the mayors forum and Visitors and Convention Bureau, to gauge their interest in taking the reins. And the City Council plans to revisit the idea at a future meeting, although no firm timetable for that conversation was set.

There was not enough support among council members during Thursday’s meeting to take a baby step: funding a feasibility study at a cost of up to $50,000 to determine whether there’s an adequate market to support a convention or conference center.

“Our economy is not great, and if we want to do this right – and maybe down the road, we do – but right now we have other priorities, and it’s getting what we already have back on its feet,” Councilwoman Cynthia Pratt said.

Added Councilwoman Mary Dean: “I think the economy needs to start to turn around and for other jobs to come around.”

But Councilman Andy Ryder, who brought up the idea for discussion, said now is the time to invest, not sit back, and see if a small investment now can pay off big in the long run.

“If we don’t get started now, when?” he asked.

Councilman Jason Hearn voiced his support for moving forward at this time.

“I’m kind of curious what’s behind that $50,000 study,” he said. He proposed the city partnering with the business community to fund the preliminary analysis.

While Mayor Tom Nelson said the idea is a good one, he said the timing needed to be better.

“I think this is something that is worthy of discussion, but I personally don’t think that Lacey can do it by itself. I don’t think we have the funding or the base to do it. But I think Thurston County does,” he said.

Last month, council members heard a presentation by John Christison, president of the Washington State Convention and Trade Center in Seattle.

He advised the council that the first step should be the completion of a feasibility study.

A convention center has dedicated space for exhibit booths; a conference center does not, Christison said.

In resurrecting the idea, Ryder said there has been a need for a conference or convention center in Thurston County for three decades, that such a building would create jobs and boost the area’s economy. Olympia is the only state capital without a large meeting facility.

Ryder said he talked with elected leaders in the area about the proposal and has received a positive response. He has identified two properties in Hawks Prairie that would be good locations for a conference or convention center but stressed the building would serve the entire region.

The most recent serious effort to build an arts and conference center in downtown Olympia died more than six years ago. The Olympia City Council killed the project in January 2004 for several reasons, including rising cost projections, pending litigation and parking issues.

Christian Hill: 360-754-5467 chill@theolympian.com www.theolympian.com/outsideoly