Development that angered neighbors in northeast Lacey finally gets underway
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Meridian Market & Gas project in northeast Lacey has officially started construction.
- The council voted to let the hearing examiner make final land-use decisions.
Meridian Market & Gas, a convenience store and gas pumps proposal that angered neighbors and finally prompted land-use process changes at the city of Lacey, is finally getting underway, according to a check of the property.
Vanessa Dolbee, Lacey’s community and economic development director, confirmed that the project has started and that the developer still intends to bring a store and gas station to the site.
The project, first proposed in 2022 at Willamette Drive Northeast and Campus Glen Drive Northeast, was met with condemnation from residents who felt it was a bad fit for the neighborhood because of traffic, the park across the street and its proximity to a school.
But they were furious that they couldn’t talk to Lacey City Council members about it.
The council previously was the final decision-making body in land-use cases that required a hearing examiner’s recommendation.
But because the council had to assume a quasi-judicial role in those decisions they could not freely talk about the development or share their opinions of it in an effort to meet the Appearance of Fairness Doctrine.
Dozens of frustrated residents finally showed up the night the council approved the project and turned it into one of the more raucous meetings in council history.
Later, the council voted to take themselves out of that process and let the hearing examiner make those final land-use decisions.
Casa Mia plus housing pitched for downtown
The Knudson family, well-known for their Casa Mia Italian restaurants in Olympia and Lacey, and the downtown brew pub Well 80, are set to get feedback from the city of Olympia on a new development proposal that would incorporate the downtown Casa Mia into a mixed-use development.
They or their representatives on July 1 are going to meet with the city’s Site Plan Review Committee, a body that provides feedback on what local government will expect of the project should it go forward.
The proposal at 716 Plum St. SE is called Via Susina, according to information shared with the city.
“The project is designed as a garden-style walk-up apartment community with a two-story parking structure that will provide parking for residents and commercial patrons,” the project narrative reads. “A central feature of the development is the proposed ‘Artisan Alley,’ a pedestrian-oriented connection between the parking area and commercial spaces that enhances accessibility and creates an inviting public experience.”
Two ground-floor configurations are proposed: 56 apartments with three commercial condominium spaces, or 52 apartments with seven commercial condo spaces.
In either configuration, Casa Mia would occupy one of those commercial spaces, said Chris Knudson, perhaps best known for running Well 80.
It’s potentially a very busy area of the city. The Squaxin Island Tribe is aiming to bring a hotel and restaurant to the area and the county expects to relocate county offices to the area as well.
“This seems like a good time to do something,” Knudson said.
Stewart gets permanent role with Experience Olympia
Shauna Stewart, the former CEO of Experience Olympia & Beyond who later filled an interim role after the previous director was let go, has again been named to the permanent position, the organization announced.
Experience Olympia is the area’s visitor and convention bureau. Stewart had served as interim CEO since December 2025. Before that she was CEO from 2015 to 2020.
“Her success as interim CEO, combined with her previous experience of our organization and deep understanding of the tourism industry, made her the clear choice,” said board president Shina Wysocki in a statement.
New leader for the Center for Business & Innovation
Ashley Whitley, previously the program manager for the Washington Center for Women in Business, has been named the director of the Center for Business & Innovation, the Thurston Economic Development Council announced.
“As Ashley steps into this new role, she will help lead the continued evolution and expansion of the Center for Business & Innovation,” the announcement reads.
“CB&I has grown into a hub supporting entrepreneurs, small businesses, manufacturers, government contractors, innovators, and scaling companies across Washington state.
“Under Ashley’s leadership, the center will continue to strengthen its role as a catalyst for economic opportunity, business growth, workforce development, and innovation.”
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.
