Title
Approval of a Resolution Authorizing an Application for a Heritage Capital Projects 2027-2029 Grant for the Olympia Armory Building
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve a resolution authorizing an application for the Heritage Capital Projects 2027-2029 grant for the Armory.
Report
Issue:
Whether to apply for a Heritage Capital Projects grant, which would require a grant match of up to $2 million. This grant is administered by the Washington State Historical Society, to support facilities that provide public access to history.
Staff Contact:
Valerie Roberts, Armory Building Manager, Parks, Arts & Recreation, 360.753.8468
Presenter(s):
None - Consent Calendar Item.
Background and Analysis:
The Olympia Armory was transferred by the Washington State Legislature to the City of Olympia, "for use as a community asset dedicated to using the arts to support community development, arts education, and economic development initiatives.” The building itself is an Olympia landmark, designed by noted Olympia architect Joseph Wohleb, completed in 1938.
Heritage Capital Projects are a two to one matching grant, for requests between $10,000 and $1,000,000. The City of Olympia has received $1,000,000 from this grant for the 2023-2025 biennium and an additional $500,000 in the 2025-2027 biennium for design work in preparation for major systems renewal and to begin addressing critical code and life safety improvements to the Olympia Armory building.
If approved, the Parks, Arts and Recreation Department (OPARD) intends to apply for this grant again for funds to address essential HVAC upgrades. This would allow the City to retire the old boiler system within the Olympia Armory and replace it with a state-of-the-art VRF (Variable Refrigerant Flow) HVAC system. This system will increase the energy efficiency of the building as well as make the Armory a more comfortable place for all future program participants and tenants. The largest possible match required from the City would be $2 million, which has already been committed by the City for Phase 1 renovations.
The grant deadline is June 5, 2026, for a full proposal. If Council approves the resolution, OPARD staff will work with the construction and design contractor, Ameresco, to complete application materials.
Climate Analysis:
In working with the Department of Enterprise Services (DES) Energy Savings Program, which offers professional expertise and contract management services for energy and utility conservation project, all building improvements for the Armory are approached through an Energy Conservation Lens. Because building use will change and occupancy will increase, we will most likely see an increase in energy use but a longer-term reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from the improvements to this building, especially as we commit to look for opportunities for clean self-sustaining energy such as solar. The VRF system will be a major step forward in making the Olympia Armory energy efficient and using best available technology to address climate change.
Equity Analysis:
The Olympia Community, Arts Nonprofits, Anchor Partners and more will benefit from HVAC upgrades as it is one essential improvement that will make the Armory available for community use. This will provide an art center for the community, a long-awaited asset. Although this portion of the work does not have a high community engagement component, it is based on community engagement work done previously through the 2022 Concept Plan. Finally, this work will be done with Ameresco, whose commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusiion and hiring local subcontractors who are minority and women owned is high and demonstrable.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
The Olympia Armory was placed on the City’s heritage register in 2021 with support and assistance of the Eastside Neighborhood Association. The Olympia Armory was accepted onto the National Register of Historic Places in 2024.
Financial Impact:
The City has committed to Phase 1 renovations for the Armory which will exceed the $2 million that serves as the required match for this grant, from the Olympia Parks, Arts and Recreation Capital Fund.
Options:
1. Move to approve a resolution authorizing an application for the Heritage Capital Projects 2027-2029 grant for the Armory.
2. Do not approve a resolution authorizing an application for a Heritage Capital Projects 2027-2029 grant for the Armory.
3. Consider applying for a Heritage Capital Projects grant for the Armory at another time. This is the 2027-2029 grant cycle, so the next opportunity would be after 2029.
Attachments:
Resolution
Heritage Capital Projects Grant Webpage