Thurston board OKs $34.9 million real-estate deal in downtown Olympia for county campus
Thurston County plans to move its courthouse and administrative headquarters to downtown Olympia.
On Wednesday, the county board entered into a $34.9 million real-estate deal for the property: a seven-acre site with multiple buildings at the intersection of Plum Street Southeast and Eighth Avenue.
The Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved a purchase and sale agreement for the site with Vine Street Associates LLC during a Wednesday morning work session. The decision came almost seven months after the board committed to establishing a new courthouse campus while scaling back renovations at its aging campus on Lakeridge Drive Southwest.
County Manager Leonard Hernandez clarified that the county has not quite finalized the deal.
“We’re not purchasing the building,” Hernandez told the board. “We’re initiating an agreement to queue up the sale.”
The county is now entering a due diligence process. He said he expects the board to approve the final sale at a regular business meeting by the end of September.
In a news release, the county shared that it plans to turn the property into a “regional center for justice and public services” that will meet the region’s growing needs.
The buildings, which mostly occupy a site called Town Square Campus, come with lots of parking space and are situated near Interstate 5 and public transit stops.
Commissioner and Board Chair Tye Menser called the announcement a major milestone for the county.
“This property gives us the space and flexibility to grow with our community,” Menser said in the release. “As we move forward, we’re committed to a thoughtful, transparent planning process that includes our residents, employees, and partners every step of the way.”
The county selected this property following a competitive process in which it invited proposals from property owners, according to the release.
The county also says it consulted with real-estate investment experts to evaluate long-term costs. Those experts reportedly concluded that acting now to purchase the property would provide “substantial savings” to the county over the long-run.
“With clear direction from the Board and other elected officials, today’s announcement is just the beginning of a shared vision for Thurston County,” Hernandez said. “This property gives us the flexibility to responsibly grow with our community and honor the dedication of our justice partners and county staff.”
Thurston County commissioners weigh in
Commissioner Wayne Fournier had been critical of the county’s previous plan to use a $50 million bond to remodel its aging courthouse campus. The county now plans to use the remaining funds from that bond to purchase the downtown property.
In the release, Fournier said the current campus has outlived its usefulness.
“Our existing courthouse campus was originally designed for a county population half our current size, with fewer services and a far simpler mandate. Times have changed,” Fournier said. “Our population has grown, and county government now provides more support and programming to a much larger, more diverse community.
“We’re working hard to invest in a new facility that’s affordable to acquire, cost-effective to maintain, and accessible to all residents.”
Before the remodel plan, the county considered asking voters in 2020 to let it spend upwards of $250 million to construct a new courthouse in the same area. That plan was scrapped due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Everybody’s excited about this in the county,” Fournier said during the Wednesday meeting. “To go from asking for $200 million to now we’re not having to ask for anything and we’re able to meet all our needs, that’s pretty incredible.
Commissioner Carolina Mejia said keeping the old courthouse campus buildings did not make sense for the county and its taxpayers.
“This is a chance to bring services together under one roof, make things easier for the public and save money in the long run,” Mejia said in the release. “It’s not just about having a new space; it’s about doing our jobs better and making government work for the people.”
Commissioner Rachel Grant echoed the message that this purchase would be cheaper for the county.
“We are responsible for operating community and residential services for the sixth-largest county in the state. We understand the critical need for a cost-conscious, sustainable, and community-accessible site plan,” Grant said.
During the Wednesday meeting, Grant said all the buildings at the downtown property “checked the boxes” for the county.
“I worked on that campus,” Grant said. “It is a beautiful space. It has enough room for all courts and services, and room to grow and the price tag makes sense. So, I think this is a rare window and we’d be foolish to miss it.”
Looking ahead, the county must plan how to use the new space. The release indicates this will involve engagement with internal departments, elected officials, and the judiciary. The public also will be given an opportunity to provide input.
“This campus approach is a people-first investment: it streamlines how residents access services, strengthens safety and ADA services, and preserves flexibility as we secure a new courthouse space,” Commissioner Emily Clouse said. “I look forward to hearing input from the community as we shape each step with our stakeholders in an open, collaborative process.”
The county indicated that it may eventually sell the buildings at its current courthouse campus as well as leave The Atrium, a leased-building at 3000 Pacific Avenue that now houses the county’s administrative services.
Law and justice officials support the move
Thurston County’s law and justice leaders appeared unified in supporting the board’s move to downtown.
Presiding Superior Court Judge John Skinder said the county is an “amazing community” that is continuing to grow. The new property should help the courts better serve the public.
“The Superior Court judges are committed to partnering with the Board of County Commissioners to ensure that every person who comes through our doors — including jurors, litigants, community members, and staff — find a safe and accessible courthouse that can serve all the needs of our community,” Skinder said in the release.
District Court Executive Officer Frankie Peters called the new plan an opportunity to more effectively meet the needs of the public as well as those who provide support to people seeking important county services.
“Workloads and service levels have continued to increase, and the existing, deteriorating structure does not support what our community deserves – an accessible, safe, and functional space that provides trust and confidence in the services delivered,” Peters said.
Pretrial Services Director Carrie Hennen also shared her support for the new path forward. “Pretrial Services is pleased to partner with the Board in this long-term plan for improving the courthouse for our community, law and justice partners, and staff,” Hennen said.
Likewise, Prosecutor Jon Tunheim shared his approval for purchasing the downtown property.
“The Prosecuting Attorney’s Office is excited about this step forward toward bringing our team together in a safe and functional space to better serve our community,” Tunheim said.
Public Defense Director Patrick O’Connor also backed the new plan.
“Thurston County Public Defense continues to support the Board’s approach to addressing longstanding concerns about our courthouses,” O’Connor said. “The scaled-back updates to the existing facilities allow us to continue to serve the community while this phased approach prepares us for a brighter future.”
This story was originally published July 31, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
