Title
Armory Update
Recommended Action:
Information only. No action requested.
Report
Issue:
Commissioners will receive update and tour of the Armory project including opportunities for future public art in association with building upgrades.
Staff Contact:
Valerie Roberts, Armory Building Manager, Parks, Arts & Recreation, 360.753.8468
Presenter(s):
Valerie Roberts, Armory Building Manager
Background and Analysis:
The City of Olympia will transform the historic Olympia Armory into a space that will support the arts as integral to Olympia’s way of life; encourage community growth through creativity and innovation; use the arts to connect people, ideas, and place while working within an equity framework. The conceptual design through community visioning was completed in November 2022. In July 2023, artists, culture bearers, and a youth action council imagined possible uses of the space through art installations and creative projects through NEA funded Art Interventions.
In January of 2024, eight non-profit arts organizations were identified as future tenants (Anchor Partners for the building), including The Bridge Music Project, Capital City Pride, Community Print, Kokua Services/Hummingbird Studio, Olympia Film Collective, Olympia Lamplighters, PARC Foundation and TC Media. These organizations will create a core partner group to activate the campus and bring the community vision to life.
The Armory building is currently closed for construction to complete essential life/safety and accessibility upgrades that will make the Armory building a safe, accessible, and functional space that will transform into a community arts center. The selected Anchor Partner organizations will work with the City of Olympia and Ameresco, the contractor for construction, to help inform the design and construction process for the upgrades over the next two years.
In 2024, Partners will develop updated business plans required to enter into contract negotiations, identify leased and shared spaces within the Armory building, find shared programming opportunities and work with DES and Ameresco to assist in building design.
In 2025-2026, they will review and align business plans with the City of Olympia, specify and negotiate lease agreements, schedule, and perform tenant improvements on their spaces, and plan for grand opening in 2026.
Climate Analysis:
Through working with the DES Energy Program and Ameresco, all building improvements for the Armory Creative Campus will be 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.
Equity Analysis:
The Anchor partner criteria required each organization, leaders and staff demonstrate alignment with the City’s commitment to equity, inclusion and belonging. This supports the Armory draft values of Inclusion - recognizing that Olympia’s culture is enriched by many cultures and are committed to sharing power and decision-making with groups and community members, with an intentional effort towards marginalized and underrepresented groups which include people who identify as Black, Indigenous, People of Color, Immigrants & Refugees, LGBTQ+, People with disabilities, and youth.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
The Eastside Neighborhood Association has been a supportive partner in the Armory planning process.
Financial Impact:
There are no financial impacts related to the discussion. Contract negotiations will determine future lease revenue.
Options:
None
Attachments:
Olympia Creative Campus Concept Plan 2022