Isthmus attracts 2 new groups

Both oppose raising heigh limits in area, but not main focus

By Matt Batcheldor | The Olympian • Published July 31, 2008

Two new groups have formed with their own visions of what should happen with the land between Budd Inlet and Capitol Lake, the site of a plan to raise height limits to allow five- and sevenstory buildings. – Two new groups have formed with their own visions of what should happen with the land between Budd Inlet and Capitol Lake, the site of a plan to raise height limits to allow five- and seven-story buildings.

The Isthmus Acquisition Steering Committee, founded by six former Olympia Planning Commission members, wants a public or private entity to acquire most of the isthmus west of Water Street and south of Fourth Avenue and turn it into a park.

And 20/20 Vision Olympia, founded by five Olympia women, wants to create a downtown master plan with public input before considering height limits.

They join two other activist groups — Friends of the Waterfront, which opposes taller buildings on the isthmus, and Olympia 2012, which favors them.

Different focus

The two new groups oppose raising height limits, but say that isn't their focus.

"This is an absolutely different group," said Jerry Reilly, a former planning commissioner and fellow founder of the isthmus committee. "It is designed to be proactive and to develop another alternative and a view for how things work on the isthmus," not part of the other groups.

He said the group is recruiting members and is exploring what it would take for a private entity, the city, state or both to acquire most of the isthmus for a park. The group is holding a meeting Monday at the Olympia Center to discuss the issues.

"What would it cost?" he asked. "How long would it take? Are people willing to pay for it? Is the state willing to help? At least that ought to be thought through before the city makes a 50-, 100-year decision" on the isthmus.

Master plan

Kris Goddard, one of the founders of 20/20, isn't sure about that idea. She thinks the community needs to create a downtown master plan.

"We think that the stakeholders in this community need to get together and have excellent help and guidance in finding a vision, and then we think the planner needs to stay with us and needs to sort the work through the layers of the bureaucracy," she said.