Driving by the once-thriving brewery these days is difficult at best. The buildings and grounds are deteriorating and the economic recession makes it all but impossible to expect major investments in some or all of the sprawling, 175-acre complex anytime soon.
Fortunately, the City of Tumwater has opted to take a long-term view of the potential lying dormant at the brewery complex. They have included $180,000 in their 2012 budget to begin to implement an action plan that builds a foundation for future development.
It really is up to the city to keep hope alive, to keep some of the momentum gained from the 2011 community visioning process for the brewery property moving forward into the new year.
In December, the City Council approved an action plan for the brewery complex, which includes the historic brewhouse, the newer brewery and warehouse, the brewery property near Capitol Boulevard and the larger brewery neighborhood. Each distinct “chunk” of the property has its own specific action items for the city and its partners to realize.
The economic recession, the sheer size of the property and the layers of ownership all serve as obstacles for redevelopment. But none of the problems are insurmountable alone. The economy will recover someday. The property can be redeveloped in manageable pieces and the ownership issues can be resolved.
City officials have identified more than 50 action items that they can begin to tackle now; all things that will help pave the way to redevelopment when the time is right.
First and foremost, the city plans to hire a brewery project manager to market the property, build regional partnerships, meet with banks to discuss investment opportunities and keep the community engaged in the project.
Other elements of the action plan are important as well. The City Council expects to appoint a brewery property advisory committee consisting of various stakeholders who can share their redevelopment visions for the property. In addition, the city will keep the community involved through mailings, a brochure and updates on the city’s website.
The city will meet with the owners of the properties and their attorneys to try to lift or modify a covenant that Miller included when it sold the property that prohibits the distribution or sale of alcohol.
What was designed as a noncompete clause to restrict someone from opening a new brewery is now a major impediment for some of the potential uses, even something as basic as a restaurant that sells alcohol, city officials said. The alcohol covenant clearly must be eliminated and amended so it doesn’t scare off investors.
The action plan will set the wheels in motion for utility and transportation investments in and around the brewery complex. For instance, Capitol Boulevard is one of the major corridors in urban Thurston County earmarked for higher density development. In addition, the brewery property is served by rail. The property could someday host a transportation center for trolley, light rail or transit.
The Deschutes River runs through the brewery property. The city should move forward with plans for trails and habitat restoration to make the river more of an attraction for future developers.
Land-use zoning, environmental cleanup of the property and potentially a bridge across the river connecting the old brewhouse to Tumwater Historical Park are among the many ideas to explore in the action plan.
City officials have accepted and embraced the notion that the City of Tumwater needs to play the major role in keeping the vision of a revitalized brewery property alive. The new year is shaping up as a year in which the city accepts that challenge.
