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The current material that covers the building, called EIFS, dates to 1985 and hasn’t been performing well. There are large cracks on the exterior, and rain is seeping into the city-owned building at 512 Washington St. S.E.
The council’s Finance Committee recommended removing the synthetic stucco-like material, the most expensive option, rather than trying to repair it.
The EIFS would be replaced mostly with metal panels.
Where the money will come from is unclear. The council concurred to using $350,000 from the city’s Building Repair and Replacement Fund to finalize the design and get the project ready to go. But money to construct the building, planned for 2013, hasn’t been identified. The bulk of the work would take place during the summer, when the center’s season of programming has finished.
The city is responsible for the building’s exterior and major systems, and The Washington Center arts organization is in charge of keeping up the interior and daily maintenance.
George Le Masurier, president of the center’s board and publisher of The Olympian, said the center’s board supports a full replacement of the exterior.
“This historic vote ensures that the greater Olympia community will have a top quality performing arts facility for local people for years to come,” Le Masurier said.
Bob Wolpert, a principal of KMB Design Groups of Olympia, said the building had caused maintenance crews trouble since the 1980s. His group did an infrared analysis of the building and took core samples to determine which areas had moisture. Five out of 11 samples had moisture.
He offered two other cheaper options for repairing the building – one costing $2.9 million, the other $3.2 million. But they are estimated to cost more to maintain over 30 years.
Fully replacing the exterior, known as Option C, also would provide a full warranty.
“In our climate, Option C is the highest degree of certainty,” Councilman Stephen Buxbaum said.
Matt Batcheldor: 360-704-6869
mbatcheldor@theolympian.com
