Title
Special Recognition - 2023 Washington Governor’s Smart Communities Award for the Armory Creative Campus
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Receive the 2023 Washington Governor’s Smart Communities Award for the Armory Creative Campus.
Report
Issue:
Whether to receive the 2023 Washington Governor’s Smart Communities Award for the Armory Creative Campus.
Staff Contact:
Valerie Roberts, Armory Building Manager, Parks, Arts and Recreation, 360.709.8468
Presenter(s):
Valerie Roberts, Armory Building Manager, Parks, Arts and Recreation
Anne Fritzel, Housing Section Manager, Growth Management Services, Washington State Department of Commerce
Background and Analysis:
The Governor’s Smart Communities Awards recognize outstanding efforts of local communities and their partners throughout the state, creating vibrant and livable communities by achieving the goals of the Growth Management Act and other community development objectives. The Department of Commerce administers the awards program.
Held each year since 2006, the Awards recognize local governments whose exceptional planning efforts have significantly enriched their communities in the areas of job growth, economic development, housing affordability, homelessness, parks and recreation, transportation and subarea development. These achievements are outstanding models for Washington’s local governments.
The Armory Creative Campus was recognized with a Smart Projects Award, which recognizes a local project that implements a comprehensive plan.
Arts Program Specialist Angel Nava served as lead for the Concept Plan, working with consultant Framework Cultural Placemaking. The Concept Plan was also recognized with an Excellence in Planning Award from the Washington Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA-WA) and the Planning Association of Washington (PAW) earlier this year.
Climate Analysis:
The Olympia Armory Creative Campus repurposes a historic site in the City of Olympia for continued community benefit by transforming a former National Guard armory into a public arts center. Rehabilitation of a building is greener than new construction and Phase 1 improvements will focus on energy savings upgrades.
Equity Analysis:
The Concept Plan development engaged over 6,500 community stakeholders, and specifically reached out to marginalized community members for participation and input.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
Nine planning efforts over the last 30 years reflect the community’s interest in arts center, including the 2014 Comprehensive Plan.
Financial Impact:
There are no financial impacts related to this item.
Options:
1. Receive the 2023 Washington Governor’s Smart Communities Award.
2. Do not receive the award.
3. Receive the award at another time.
Attachments:
Engage Olympia Armory Project Page
2023 Washington Governor’s Smart Communities Award Announcement