Out are a dog park and bell tower, which didn’t receive strong support in a series of community meetings and site tours. Instead, the city decided to add an adjacent piece of city property to the plan and develop a parks-maintenance center on the property. A new access point from Conger Street also is planned.
The West Olympia Community Visioning Group’s original plans for the initial 24-acre site, on Harrison Avenue just west of Cooper Point Drive, called for a plaza, an amphitheater, an educational center, a trail, a bell tower and a dog park.
The Olympia City Council in July approved spending $300,000 for the site at the urging of the group, which had the land under contract. The transaction was controversial because the city moved to buy the land without going through its usual advisory committee process. The parks-advisory committee since has met about the topic.
In addition, the city agreed to negotiate exclusively with the group to develop the park, with an aim to develop a lease with the group. The city also gave the group the option to buy the property if no deal could be reached.
Some residents called for the process to be opened up to others who might want to offer input. Representatives of the group defended their vision.
Residents had a number of ideas for the plaza, said David Hanna, city associate parks director, in a presentation to the City Council this week. Some suggestions were a farmers market and space for performances, pick-up sports and weddings.
They also had a number of concerns – about noise, site security, overdevelopment, the viability of the amphitheater and learning center, the cost of operation and effects on traffic.
It hasn’t been determined who will develop which sections of the park – the city or the Community Visioning Group. Also, it’s unclear how the city would pay for it, given its limited financial resources.
The maintenance center would be separate from public-activity areas and would help crews maintain the city’s growing parks system, Hanna said. The current maintenance facility at Priest Point Park is cramped, he said.
Another plan calls for creating a trail system connecting the plaza property with the adjacent Grass Lake Refuge and Yauger Park, which sits across Harrison Avenue from the plaza property.
Council members had some questions and concerns. Councilwoman Karen Rogers said some people were concerned about stormwater and asked how much of the site would have impervious surface.
Hanna said one-third of the site would be developed.
Councilwoman Jeannine Roe questioned the need for an amphitheater in Olympia’s rainy climate.
Hanna said “that was one of the main questions that was raised in this process.” Another, he said, was whether downtown would be a better location for an amphitheater.
City staffers plan to present the council with a draft plan, then a final plan, for the site next year. An environmental review also is necessary. The city also plans to hammer out a final lease agreement with the Community Visioning Group for development and maintenance of the site.
Matt Batcheldor: 360-704-6869
mbatcheldor@theolympian.com
