City should buy, remove ‘mistake by lake’ now

Olympia’s biggest monument to blight continues to embarrass us on the isthmus. The long vacant Capitol Center building, often called the “mistake by the lake,” needs to be purchased and removed to make way for the Capitol Olympic Vista Park.

Ten months ago Olympia voters approved creation of the Metropolitan Park District based, in part, upon belief that this would assist in removal of the nine-story eyesore. Nine months ago this effort was sidetracked by a sketchy proposal to redevelop the building for office use. Four months ago the proponent, according to The Olympian, promised “good solid plans for the entire project” within 30 days.

The plans have not been presented. I remain deeply skeptical that such plans will ever be presented. The proposal is not realistic. There is no known likely tenant, and the reported $20 million redevelopment costs do not appear feasible for private investment.

In the unlikely event that the renovation proceeds, we would be stuck with the wrong building in the worst possible location for another 50 years.

In the meantime, we have lost momentum for the city to purchase and remove the building. Funds available through the Metropolitan Park District, and general bonding capacity, are being committed to other important projects. This eyesore continues to spoil the vista directly in front of America’s most magnificent Capitol campus setting, and to blight the gateway to our rapidly improving downtown.

The “mistake” needs to be removed now!

This story was originally published August 30, 2016 at 11:48 AM with the headline "City should buy, remove ‘mistake by lake’ now."