Hotel acquired, arcade biz coming, motocross park closes, health care services pitched
The Days Inn hotel in Lacey at Interstate 5 and Marvin Road has officially been acquired by the Low Income Housing Institute, the organization announced Thursday.
The 118-unit hotel now will be converted into a shelter to serve 120 people experiencing homelessness in Thurston County. This includes singles, couples and people with pets.
The shelter is a partnership with LIHI, the state Department of Commerce, state Department of Transportation, Thurston County and the city of Lacey. Funding for the purchase came from the state’s Right-of-Way program, which aims to move those living in public spaces along the freeway into housing.
Thurston County received $37 million for the program, of which $20 million was earmarked for the hotel acquisition and site setup. An additional $4 million will be used for two years of site operations. The shelter is expected to open this spring.
Each room includes a bed, living space, bathroom, microwave and refrigerator.
Other business happenings
Christina and Patrick Costelo continue to forge ahead with Legends Arcade, a new destination for classic and modern video games, as well as foosball, skee ball, pinball and bumper pool.
The business, which Christina said is still about three weeks away from opening, is setting up shop in downtown Olympia at 109 State Ave. in the Olympia Press Building. The space is just under 2,500 square feet.
The idea for Legends Arcade came about in two ways: Patrick is a competitive foosball player, and competitive players live in the Olympia area, Christina said. She and her husband also had long talked about opening a bar and activity place — a location that offers adults some grown-up time, but also where they can hang out with their kids, she said.
The business plans to serve beer and other beverages in cans and bottles as well as pre-packaged snacks. Longer term, they’d like to serve food and have a full bar, Christina said.
For updates on Legends Arcade, follow them on Facebook.
Grays Harbor ORV, a motocross track near McCleary, has closed, officials with PNWMX LLC announced on Facebook Jan. 22.
“Grays Harbor County has chosen not to renew the lease and the facility will be closed indefinitely until further notice,” the post reads. “They are working on a parks plan and are looking for a different use at the facility.
“We are saddened to say the least. The crew has spent a ton of time and expense in the last six years to make this facility one of the best in the Northwest. We could go on and on but it won’t change the outcome. We are moving forward.”
MultiCare Health System, which operates Capital Medical Center in west Olympia, has submitted plans to the state for a proposed walk-in surgery center at 601 McPhee Road SW, across the street from the hospital, spokesman Scott Thompson said.
The surgery center would be in an existing building, he said. The estimated capital expense for the project is $5.4 million.
Gastroenterology, general surgery, gynecology, neurology, vascular, podiatry and urology procedures would be performed at the surgery center.
“We anticipate completing the Certificate of Need process in early May, but we also know this sometimes takes longer,” Thompson said. “Once we complete that process, it is likely six months for design and permitting and then 12-14 (months) for construction. We likely won’t be ready to open the center until 2025.”
Meanwhile in Lacey, the city has received a site plan review application for a new ARCO AM/PM fueling facility with convenience store at 1105 Marvin Road NE.
If you would like to comment on this proposal, send an email to Assistant Planner Reace Fant at RFant@ci.lacey.wa.us. The comment period ends at 5 p.m. Feb. 9.
Real estate
Representatives of The Liberation Collective are set to meet with the city of Olympia’s site plan review committee, a group of building and planning officials who provide feedback on early-stage development proposals. The site is near the Roosevelt Elementary School playground in Olympia.
“We are seeking a conditional use permit to establish our property as a mixed residential and commercial property,” a narrative of the proposal reads. “The property is currently only zoned for residential uses. The upstairs will remain a separate residence and the main level of the building will host all business operations.”
What is The Liberation Collective?
“TLC is a collaboratively lead community gathering and healing space, located at 1223 Bethel Street NE. There are two residents living in the upper level of the house paying the rent and all business expenses, allowing TLC to offer free support groups, classes, and meeting space for small groups at no cost to the community,” the narrative reads. “Our goal is to make healing and connection physically, economically, and socially accessible to all Olympians.
“We do this by offering a variety of classes and groups provided by healing practitioners that are trained to serve marginalized communities and/or whom are members of marginalized communities, such as members of the BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities, as well as those with disabilities.”
Longer term, the group would like to create a 600-square-foot studio for yoga and meditation and add additional gravel paved street parking on the Leavenworth Avenue side of the property, according to the narrative.
The site plan review committee is set to meet at 9 a.m. Feb. 8. The meetings are open to the public.
If you know of a retailer, restaurant, coffee shop or other business that is opening, closing, expanding, remodeling, or changing its focus, send an email to reporter Rolf Boone at rboone@theolympian.com.
This story was originally published February 3, 2023 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Hotel acquired, arcade biz coming, motocross park closes, health care services pitched."
