Work begins on downtown building, plus Providence announces update on AIC in Lacey

A downtown Olympia project known as The Gibson, which will turn a former office building into 64 units of affordable housing is underway, according to a check of the property.

The building is owned by developer Ken Brogan, who turned a former office building that overlooks Capitol Lake and Budd Inlet into the Views on Fifth, The Olympian previously reported.

Brogan was prepared to dive into his new project, then learned his state office tenants were requesting more time to find a new home. Those tenants, previously identified as the Transportation Improvement and Freight Mobility Strategic Investment boards, finally moved over the summer into the state Department of Natural Resources building on the Capitol Campus, The Olympian reported.

“I collect guitars so the name and signage hints towards my liking,” owner Brogan previously said.

Abuse Intervention Center in Lacey not closing, Providence Swedish announces

The Providence Swedish Abuse Intervention Center, which was set to close Dec. 31, is not closing after all, Providence Swedish announced this month.

The center used to be known as the Providence Sexual Assault Clinic.

Providence Swedish South Puget Sound leadership met with community partner organizations, including the Lacey-based Community Action Council of Lewis, Mason and Thurston counties this month, and they decided “these vital community safety net services is a collective responsibility,” a news release reads.

After more than 30 years of Providence funding and staffing the center, “the partner organizations will immediately begin the process of providing collective support of a collaborative effort, which will allow clients to continue being seen in the current Community Action Council space using a different staffing model,” according to the release.

“Although Providence will no longer be in the business of running AIC, the opportunity it has created for these community partner organizations to collaborate has been an amazing experience that has made all the difference and will drive future success,” said Justin DeFour, executive director of the Community Action Council, in a statement.

Area banks merge

If you’re wondering what happened to Seattle-based HomeStreet Bank, which operated a branch near the Fred Meyer in Lacey, it merged with the Walnut Creek, California-based Mechanics Bank.

The merger was completed in September.

“The transaction significantly expands the West Coast footprint of 120-year-old Mechanics Bank, creating a combined company with 166 branches across California, Washington, Oregon and Hawaii and over $22 billion in assets,” a news release reads.

More apartments proposed

The city of Olympia’s site plan review committee is set to learn more about the Black Lake Apartment project, a 72-unit proposal at the corner of Black Lake Boulevard and 21st Avenue Southwest.

The meeting is set for 9 a.m. Jan. 7.

“We are anticipating a contemporary craftsmen design, utilizing natural looking materials and earth tones,” a project narrative reads.

The site plan review committee provides feedback to developers about what local government will expect of their projects before they become official.

Want to learn more about Whiskey Library?

The city of Olympia is set to have an in-person and remote meeting of the Design Review Board and Heritage Commission Joint Review Committee.

That discussion will focus on the Carnegie Whiskey Library, a restaurant and bar proposal for the historic Carnegie Library building in downtown Olympia at 620 Franklin St.

The board is set to meet in person at 5:30 p.m Jan. 8 at Olympia City Hall, 601 Fourth Ave. E. The meeting also can be attended remotely.

People news

The Thurston County Chamber of Commerce is set to host a State of the Community address with the following area leaders: Mayors Andy Ryder, Leatta Dahlhoff, Dontae Payne, Joe DePinto, David Watterson and Thurston County Commissioner Tye Menser.

Discussion topics will include affordable housing, strategies to combat the housing crisis, fostering high-wage job creation, and establishing connections for youth to mental health services, according to the chamber.

The forum is set for 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Jan. 14 at the Norman Worthington Conference Center, Saint Martin’s University, 5300 Pacific Ave SE, Lacey.

To register, go here.

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 December 25, 2025 at 5:00 AM.