Title
Urban Farm Park Feasibility Study Briefing
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
The Land Use & Environment Committee recommends receiving a briefing on the Urban Farm Park Feasibility Study.
City Manager Recommendation:
Receive a briefing on the Urban Farm Park Feasibility Study.
Report
Issue:
Whether to receive a briefing on the Urban Farm Park Feasibility Study
Staff Contact:
Sylvana Niehuser, Director of Parks Planning & Maintenance, 360.753.8068
Presenter(s):
Sylvana Niehuser, Director of Parks Planning & Maintenance, 360.753.8068
Craig Skipton, Director of Landscape Architecture, AHBL 206.267.2425
Background and Analysis:
The accessibility of local food has long been important to the Olympia community (as evidenced by the creation of the Olympia Farmers’ Market). In the City's Comprehensive Plan, several goals and policies reflect the community's values regarding agriculture. These goals and policies have guided the work of the Olympia Farmland Work Group. The idea for an Olympia Urban Farm Park (Agri-park) emerged from recommendations to preserve local farmland by the Olympia Farmland Work Group in 2021 and the Land Use and Environment Committee of the Olympia City Council.
In 2022, Parks staff brought community members and potential stakeholders together for a series of meetings to discuss the Urban Farm Park Feasibility Study and develop a Request for Qualifications (RFQ). In spring of 2023, the City hired AHBL to develop the study. After several months of public engagement, research, stakeholder involvement, and briefings to PRAC and the Arts Commission, we have a draft of the Urban Farm Park Feasibility Study to present to the Council.
Related Comprehensive Plan Goals
GL25 Local Thurston County food production is encouraged and supported to increase self-sufficiency, reduce environmental impact, promote health, and the humane treatment of animals, and support the local economy.
PL25.3 Collaborate with community partners to ensure that everyone within Olympia is within biking or walking distance of a place to grow food.
PL25.4 Encourage for-profit gardening and farming in the community.
PL25.8 Work with community organizations to develop strategies, measure, and set goals for increasing local food production.
PL25.9: Work with local governments throughout the region to help protect existing agricultural lands and develop and promote a vibrant local food economy.
PR9.1 Provide opportunities that promote a mentally and physically active lifestyle and healthy food choices, including participation in local food production.
PN8.7 Reduce energy use and the environmental impact of our food system by encouraging local food production.
Climate Analysis:
Regenerative agriculture practices can increase carbon sequestration while providing other benefits. Locally produced food requires less carbon-intensive transport.
Equity Analysis:
The public engagement portion focused on interviewing organizations that work with marginalized populations and understanding the agricultural needs of those communities. Site criteria mapping included transit routes, median household income, and BIPOC residents.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
Those who are connected to urban agriculture showed the biggest interest in the Urban Farm Park Feasibility Study. This included organizations like the Thurston County Food Bank, Thurston Conservation District, and Olympia School District. The broader community that participated in surveys and engaged with staff generally supported the idea of pea patches, community gardens and/or urban farming but were not asked to rank or prioritize this idea against other needs.
Financial Impact:
The Feasibility Study contract is for $69,539. Acquisition and development of an Urban Farm Park could range from $2M-$30M depending on the location, size, infrastructure, and site components. Farm operating costs range from $200k to $2M depending on staffing and programs. Depending on the partnership, costs could be shared or lessened depending on the partner’s resources available.
Options:
1. Receive the briefing, discuss and provide direction to staff.
2. Receive the briefing, discuss and do not provide direction to staff.
3. Receive the briefing at another time.
Attachments:
Urban Farm Park Feasibility Study
Link to Engage Olympia Urban Farm Park Feasibility Study Page