Olympia City Hall Project

City Hall Construction

View construction photos.  Photos updated July 16, 2010.

Construction should be completed in late fall 2010, with the building opening in January 2011.

Street Improvement Work - July 2010

Street improvement work on the south side of 4th Avenue begins on or about Wednesday, July 7, 2010.  This phase will include new curb, gutter, and sidewalk between Cherry Street and Chestnut Street.  A subsequent phase will address paving around the City Hall block.  

Lane/Parking Restrictions on 4th Avenue East

The right-turn-only lane on 4th Avenue to Plum Street will be closed from Jefferson Street to just past the Chestnut Street intersection.  In addition, parking on the south side of 4th Avenue between Jefferson Street and Plum Street will be restricted.  View the news release for more information.

Parking at the New City Hall

Customers and Visitors:

For the convenience of City Hall customers and visitors, there will be about 28 onstreet public parking spaces immediately adjacent to the building. Currently planned are:

• 4 each - pull-in angled handicap designated spaces on Cherry Street close to the front door
• 6 each - 15 minute metered spaces (2 of which will be on Fourth Street, near the front door)
• 4 each - 2 hour pay box spaces on Fourth Avenue
• 14 each - 3 hour metered spaces

Like other parking in downtown Olympia, meter and pay box rates only apply Monday thru Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.  Parking is free on evenings, weekends, and City holidays.

Deliveries:

A drive-in delivery and loading area will be located on the 5th Avenue side of the building.

Alternate Travel:

The new City Hall is on a main bus route and located near the Intercity Transit downtown transfer center. Bicycle parking will be conveniently placed near the main entrance.

Employees:

About 250 city employees will move into the new City Hall, some of whom work shifts. Employees will continue to have the same commute and parking options that they have currently, with some enhancements for bicycle and pedestrian commuters:

• Commute to work - bus, bike, walk and carpool.  The new City Hall will be close to the Intercity Transit Center. The building includes indoor and covered parking for bicycles and an employee shower/locker room.
• Park for free at the current City Hall location.  It's a quick 5-block walk.
• Pay to park on the street and in parking lots. A monthly pass to park at 9-hour meters is only $60. The City Council has indicated intent to acquire the Diamond Parking lot one block from City Hall. Paid parking will be available in that lot for City employees.
• Secured parking area at City Hall for police vehicles.

Olympia's New City Hall

A model and renderings of the building are available for public viewing in the current Olympia City Hall lobby, 900 Plum Street SE, during regular work hours. Hoffman Construction of Seattle and Belay Architecture of Tacoma is the developer team.

Improved Customer Service:

Most customers will experience "one-stop" service in the new City Hall, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Utility and parking payments, service requests and general information will be provided by friendly and knowledgeable staff at a prominent counter on the first floor. Building permit review and payments will be handled at a walk-up counter on the second floor. The police department will have its own entrance and first floor service counter.

Two computer kiosks will be located inside the front doors for customers who want the convenience of self-service or who wish to make on-line payments while attending evening meetings.

The City Council Chambers will be about twice the size of the current space to provide convenient seating for up to 100 people. Television monitors will be located in the lobby for overflow viewing.

LEED Certification:

The City intends to apply for LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification once the building is constructed. According to Hoffman-Belay, the proposed design may meet LEED Gold standards.

Current City Hall Complex:

Once the move occurs, the current City Hall complex on Plum Street will be converted into the City's Criminal Justice Center, including Municipal Court, Court Services, Probation Services, a Day Reporting Center, prosecutor offices, and the Municipal Jail.

Answers to Frequent Questions about Olympia's new City Hall

City Hall Project Goals

• You know where to go for the City services you need. Currently, we're housed in several different buildings.
• You have more options for doing business with us - in person, on the phone, by mail, and online.
• We are more efficient. A single building will reduce the need for duplicate meeting rooms, reception areas, photocopiers, equipment, and reception areas.
• We do our part to spur the reinvestment that's happening in downtown.
• We turn rent payments into ownership. Lease payments for office space near the current City Hall cost us about $500,000 annually.
• All of our employees have a safe and effective work space. The police department space, in particular, has been cramped and inadequate for years.