Here we go again: Convention center proposed for Thurston County

Thurston County Commissioners have proposed a “cultural arts, stadium and convention district” for the county and they want to hear from you about the idea at a public hearing later this month.

The hearing is set for 5:30 p.m. July 25 at the Thurston County Courthouse, 2000 Lakeridge Drive, Olympia, WA, Building 1, room 280. Written comments also are being accepted right now. Send comments to County Manager Ramiro Chavez at chavezr@co.thurston.wa.us.

The county commission says in a news release that “the main objective of this new district, if approved by voters, will be to implement a regional convention center.”

“It gives our region another way to emerge as a destination for events, new industry and tourism,” Commissioner Bud Blake said in a statement.

The news release also says that the commission may pass a resolution to approve a ballot measure “within two years of the (July 25) public hearing.” The ballot measure would “put the creation of the district in front of voters,” the news release reads.

A letter from the commissioners to Lacey City Council shows a much quicker timeline than two years.

Commissioner John Hutchings and County Manager Chavez are set to meet Lacey City Council this week to explain the convention district idea at a council work session. The letter, which is included in the agenda, shows the following timeline after the publc hearing:

▪ Aug. 1: County commission resolution approving a ballot measure.

▪ Aug. 4: Submission of ballot measure to Thurston County Auditor.

▪ Nov. 8: Ballot measure up for vote.

This isn’t the first time a convention center has been proposed for the region. A convention/conference center was once proposed in Olympia in the early 2000s, but Olympia officials ultimately could not make the center pencil out and pulled the plug on the multi-million dollar project in 2004, according to Olympian archives.

As for the latest proposal, details are still to come about funding or a site for the convention center.

County manager Chavez is also accepting written comment by mail. Send letters to: Thurston County Commissioners, attention Ramiro Chavez, 2000 Lakeridge Drive SW Olympia, WA 98502.

The Lacey City Council work session is set for 7 p.m. July 6 at City Hall, 420 College St. SE.

This story was originally published July 2, 2017 at 10:55 AM with the headline "Here we go again: Convention center proposed for Thurston County."