A grand proposal for waterfront site in Olympia, and a downtown cafe has new manager
Since 1960, KGY radio has occupied an iconic building on the port peninsula that juts out over Budd Inlet, offering employees and visitors some of the best views in Thurston County.
But the number of visitors might grow significantly after the radio station and Tumwater-based Glacier Aviation owner, Mike Thielen, struck a pending sales and purchase agreement for the property over the summer.
If the transaction should go through, Thielen envisions turning the KGY property into a bar and restaurant with a helicopter pad, a business that would offer helicopter rides or allow out of area visitors to fly in, he said.
Thielen said he first approached KGY two years ago. A year later the station was ready, he said.
KGY general manager Nick Kerry said a sale of the property would free up quite a bit of capital for the business.
“The deal was appealing because it provides us an avenue to relocate and continue as a local broadcaster,” Kerry said.
If the sale goes through, Kerry said the station likely would initially sublet space from Thielen, then move in the next 12-18 months. His preference is to keep the station in Olympia, but Kerry also expressed interest in Lacey’s Midtown, an area of the city near Huntamer Park.
A move to Lacey also would put the station closer to its roots. The station got its start in 1922 at what was then Saint Martin’s College, according to the KGY website.
KGY’s current lease with the Port of Olympia expires at the end of 2024, Kerry said.
The purchase and sale agreement is pending port and city approval, Thielen said. He argues that if the port is interested in turning the port peninsula into a destination waterfront, his proposal meets that definition.
“We’re hoping the port sees the light,” Thielen said. “There are zero reasons why they shouldn’t approve this deal.”
The port isn’t so sure, spokeswoman Jennie Foglia-Jones said.
“The port is still within a planning phase,” she said. “Using the public’s input from Vision 2050 and Destination Waterfront, we will most likely be doing a request-for-proposal process in the future that allows for multiple projects to be considered.”
As for a public process regarding the potential KGY transaction, the three-member port commission has not made that request of port staff, she said.
Other business happenings
Downtown community favorite New Traditions Cafe introduced Amy Bueno as its new cafe manager, according to a spring newsletter.
“My culinary passions include promoting local and sustainable agriculture, exploring ethnic cuisines, and bringing people together through sharing food and flavors,” said Bueno in the newsletter. “I bring a varied background as a chef, including fine dining, natural foods, and production, and I am looking forward to applying this skill set to bring new energy to New Traditions as we emerge, together, from these trying times, and begin again to gather in community and enjoy the gifts of fellowship and solidarity that come from sharing food, and laughter, and love. I’m honored to join the crew.”
Kingswood Capital continues to explore a commercial development at 1401 Kingswood and 1551 Kingswood Drive SW in Tumwater, according to city of Tumwater information.
Kingswood representatives were set to meet with the city Thursday on the following: A short plat to create six pads on the properties for fast food restaurants, commercial retail and a hotel.
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 March 4, 2022 at 5:45 AM.
