Brew house gift can lead to good things

Tumwater’s planned acquisition of the old Olympia brewery tower presents a historic opportunity. Once an iconic symbol representing one of Thurston County’s most charming industries, it has suffered greatly from years of neglect and decay.

Now the public finally has the chance to revitalize what was great. While skeptics may be correct in concluding there is little direct financial gain to the plan, the benefits of remodeling and preserving the site extend well beyond the immediate bottom line.

Upon being remodeled and opened to public access, the historic brick tower will serve as a focal point where tourists interested in exploring the legacy behind one of the region’s most famous past exports can visit. Business advertisers can leverage the iconic structure in conjunction with the city’s proposed brewing and distillery center.

This may lead to a positive feedback loop where the influx of tourism and investor dollars means stimulus for local economic development which in turn draws in further investment. A revitalized brewery sector would drive an economic engine that expands the prospects of the whole region, increasing the workforce and instilling civic pride in citizens with a symbol to look up to at the same time.

Tumwater has the unprecedented chance to transform a dilapidated building into a monument expressing both historical heritage and future progress. Let us not miss the opportunity to turn the revitalized Olympia Brewery into an icon as powerfully symbolic of greater Thurston County as the Capitol building, farmers market, and Tumwater falls.

This story was originally published April 11, 2016 at 10:08 AM with the headline "Brew house gift can lead to good things."