This historical building in Olympia could be sold, plus Tumwater gets 2 new businesses
The Washington Army National Guard proposes to sell the Olympia Armory, which has occupied 515 Eastside St. SE since 1939 and is home to a field artillery battalion.
The 42,000-square-foot, multi-story property is no longer needed because the Tumwater Readiness Center, previously known as the Thurston County Readiness Center, is almost complete, said Adam Iwaszuk, director of construction and facility management for the Washington Military Department, a state agency.
The new readiness center on Kimmie Street Southwest is about 90 percent finished, he said. It is expected to open in late May. The field artillery battalion likely will move in over the summer, Iwaszuk said.
However, before the Armory can be sold, the proposal is subject to a comment period, according to a legal notice shared with The Olympian.
The state Department of Archeology and Historic Preservation has determined that selling the property would constitute an adverse effect on the Armory, so it, along with other groups, has proposed a mitigation effort: creating an interpretive sign memorializing the Armory and Legion Way, and a virtual storytelling project collecting oral histories related to the Armory.
If you would like to comment on the mitigation plan, send written comments no later than March 2 to Elizabeth Murphy of the Washington Military Department at Elizabeth.Murphy@mil.wa.gov.
Other business happenings
A new Domino’s Pizza has opened in Tumwater, and the U.S. Martial Arts Center, which has locations in west Olympia and Lacey, is about to open nearby.
That’s according to Port of Olympia Executive Director Sam Gibboney, who announced Monday during the port commission meeting that both businesses have occupied space in the port’s Cleanwater properties near Tumwater Boulevard, across from the airport.
Meanwhile, west Olympia craft brewery business Headless Mumby has created Local 66 lager beer to bring awareness to organized labor, the business announced.
Headless Mumby co-owner Alex Maffeo is a member of Sheet Metal Workers Local 66 and so is the business, he said.
“Signing up allowed us to easily provide our employees with benefits that would otherwise be unavailable to a business of our size,” he said. “Now we have the opportunity to celebrate that with an incredibly drinkable lager.”
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 January 29, 2021 at 5:45 AM.
