Title
Artesian Commons Discussion
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Discuss potential next steps for the Artesian Commons and provide direction to staff regarding future site activation and use.
Report
Issue:
Whether to discuss potential next steps for the Artesian Commons and provide direction to staff regarding future site activation and use.
Staff Contact:
Jennica Machado, Economic Development Director, Community Development, 360.480.9167
Presenter(s):
Jennica Machado, Economic Development Director, Community Development
Background and Analysis:
The Artesian Commons opened in May 2014 as a public space intended to support daily community use and activity in downtown Olympia. Over time, the site became increasingly challenging to manage due to recurring public safety concerns, vandalism, and substance use. These conditions affected both community members and City staff responsible for maintaining and monitoring the space.
In response, the City closed the Artesian Commons to public access in 2018. Since that time, the site has remained largely inactive and enclosed by fencing. Public access to the Artesian Well, located immediately adjacent to the Commons, has been maintained.
The City Council has requested information to help identify next steps for future use of the Artesian Commons site. To inform this discussion, City staff conducted an initial community engagement process that included two stakeholder focus groups, individual stakeholder conversations, and a community-wide survey. The engagement was intended to gather broad public input on priorities and ideas for the future use of the site.
Analysis
The community engagement feedback identified clear top priorities for the Artesian Commons site. These included:
• Maintaining access to the Artesian Well
• Keeping the site publicly owned and publicly accessible
• Improving cleanliness and regular maintenance
• Addressing safety concerns
These priorities, among others, were identified as being key despite the final use of the site.
Community members also identified three leading concepts for the site's future permanent use:
• Mixed-use plaza with open public space and small-business opportunities
• Event and programming space
• Park
Questions were asked to both gauge broad acceptability and preference. In the focus groups, preference more strongly favored the two concepts of a plaza with mixed-use and an event/programming space, with the park concept being third. The community survey showed all three concepts strongly leading all other alternatives in both broad acceptability and preference.
The engagement results provide a range of community priorities and potential uses for Council consideration. The purpose of the study session is to discuss these findings and determine what additional work, if any, is needed to move toward a future use or activation strategy for the site.
Climate Analysis:
The discussion does not directly impact greenhouse gas emissions. However, future site plans present an opportunity to assess climate impacts.
Equity Analysis:
Evaluating future options for the Artesian Commons focuses on identifying uses that provide a safe, welcoming, and accessible space for community members. Future improvements to site cleanliness, infrastructure, and activation may directly support downtown vitality and providing broad public benefit. Focus group and survey feedback highlighted community interest in honoring the site’s cultural and historic significance with the Squaxin Island Tribe.
Qualitative and survey feedback showed the presence of differing community ideas and uses of the site. Feedback highlighted recommendations that future site modifications should avoid creating barriers for vulnerable populations who may rely on the wellhead for drinking water.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
Focus groups and a survey were conducted with the following key themes:
• Priorities for the Site
o Maintain access to the Artesian Well;
o Maintain public ownership and free public access;
o Improve safety and cleanliness;
o Improve fencing and the site's appearance;
o Provide amenities such as seating and weather protection; and
o Recognize the cultural and historic significance of the site.
• Future Site Uses with the Most Community Support
o Mixed-use plaza with open public space and small-business opportunities;
o Event and programming space; and
o Park
Financial Impact:
A total of $75,000 in General Funds was previously allocated and carried forward from prior fiscal years and is currently available to support activation efforts at the Artesian Commons. Depending on City Council direction regarding next steps for permanent uses, staff can identify potential fiscal impacts and return with comprehensive cost estimates.
Options:
1. Discuss potential next steps for the Artesian Commons and provide direction to staff regarding future site activation and use.
2. Discuss next steps for the Artesian Commons and direct staff to return with additional information at a future date.
3. Take other action
Attachments:
Survey