Bye bye, GA building. It’s time to free up Capitol Campus site for a grander purpose | Opinion
.jpg "The state of Washington’s old six-story General Administration building near 11th Avenue Southwest and Columbia Street has been unoccupied since 2018.")
Newspaper headlines don’t much put on a smile on my face these days. But this recent one did: “Demolition looms for building that has hulked over WA Capitol campus for decades.” I did indeed smile and then said, “It’s about time.”
As clearly established by the Department of Enterprise Services (DES), the old General Administration building on the north edge of the Capitol Campus is unsafe and financially beyond redemption. It is also ugly.
I know there are those who would argue in favor of “preserving” this structure from the Brutalist Era, as it is formally called. Frankly, I think there plenty of examples of that elsewhere including, arguably, on the East Capitol Campus.
I also understand the sentiment to preserve important and sometimes historic buildings. In fact, no one was a stronger voice to preserve the Pritchard Building (formerly the State Library) on the west campus for that very reason. But the GA Building is no Pritchard, not by a long shot.
When I look at it, I get the same feeling I do every time I drive by the old brewery — sadness. To be honest, part of me has never gotten over the brewery’s closure (and all the heart-breaking job losses that came with it). I wouldn’t be surprised if the brewery could win a contest for worst urban blight. But the GA building wouldn’t be far behind.
For years the GA building has sat empty, further deteriorating in appearance. It blocks a spectacular northern view of the Puget Sound. It takes up incredibly valuable real estate that might, someday, be used for a higher purpose than a vacant building. Don’t we already have enough of those in town?
And that’s the point — the possibility of someday making good use of the site, a use more in keeping with the beauty and inspiration of the Capitol Campus. After all, the campus is one of the most visited tourist sites in Washington state. It is filled with magnificent buildings, including the State Capitol which will celebrate its 100th birthday in four short years.
The Capitol Building and the whole campus is our altar to democracy and celebration of our commitment to self-determination. Among other noteworthy features, it includes several memorials to those who gave their lives on behalf of our nation and its values. Everything on the campus ought to be worthy of their sacrifice.
DES has proposed demolishing the GA Building and, at least temporarily, installing a parking lot. That’s for the short term. The longer term will be something else, something that meets a need for state government, that celebrates our democracy, and that will stand the test of time. The GA Building does not. Time to come down.
Denny Heck is Washington state’s Lieutenant Governor. He chairs the State Capitol Committee with oversight for the Capitol Campus. The public has until Sept. 11 to comment on the draft environmental review of the proposed demolition at DESSEPA@des.wa.gov.
This story was originally published August 18, 2024 at 5:00 AM.