Title
Design Review for Proposed Re-roofing and Related Improvements for the Old Capitol Building at 600 Washington St SE
Recommended Action
Move to support the design as presented for the proposed re-roofing and related improvements at the Old Capitol Building at 600 Washington St SE.
Report
Issue:
Whether to support the design as presented for the proposed re-roofing and related improvements at the Old Capitol Building at 600 Washington St SE.
Staff Contact:
Brittany Gillia, Historic Preservation Officer/Associate Planner, Community Planning & Development 360.753.8427
Presenter(s):
Matt Hamel, SHKS Architects
Background and Analysis:
OMC 18.12.090 requires a review of any proposed alteration to buildings listed on the Olympia Heritage Register. The review shall apply only to exterior or interior features designated as significant and relating to the designation of the property to the Olympia Heritage Register.
OMC 18.12.090(C)(1) provides the standards for review to be used by the Heritage Review Committee as thus: “…the proposed work should not detrimentally alter, destroy or adversely affect any exterior feature or interior feature relating to the designation of the property to the Heritage Register. In the case of construction of a new improvement, building or structure on the site of a Heritage Register property, the exterior of such construction will not adversely affect and will be compatible with the external appearance of existing designated improvements, buildings and structures on the site. The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties (as amended) shall be the standards which guide the review of Heritage Register properties.”
The applicant is proposing to apply for a building permit to perform repair and restoration work to the roof, storm water drainage system, and water-damaged interior plaster at locations indicated on the submittal drawings. Heritage Review Committee members will review and comment on the proposed designs and make a decision on whether to support the proposal or not via a memo to the Building Official.
The property is owned by the State of Washington and maintained by the Department of Enterprise Services (DES). The structure is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and is part of the Downtown Olympia Historic District, which is also listed on the national register. The Old Capitol building was added to the Olympia Heritage Register in 1984.
The provided materials include building permit level drawings and details, as well as a timeline of the building’s historic roofing changes, and details of replacement roofing materials considered for this project. The applicant is working with multiple subject matter experts to ensure the structure complies with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties and Guidelines for Rehabilitation.
The Old Capitol Building is a rock-faced sandstone structure occupying an entire block in the central business district of Olympia. It was originally designed in 1891 as the Thurston County Courthouse with two and one half (2.5) stories and a daylight basement. The state purchased the courthouse from Thurston County in 1901 and proceeded to build an annex (completed in 1905) whose primary function was to house the legislature. The original building was a complex Victorian composition in a Richardson Romanesque style with a rectangular plan and a high hip roof of steel shingles. See the attached Historic Property Inventory Report for in-depth detail.
The building was the home for Washington State legislature for 23 years. Most state agencies remained in the Old Capitol Building until 1919. The legislature stayed in the Old Capitol until 1928 when the members of both houses marched in procession from the old building to the present one. The Old Capitol Building is the only surviving structure in Washington to have formerly served as the seat of state government. As such, it physically represents an important period of growth and transition in government that proceeded the present condition of stability.
Climate Analysis:
The proposed work will improve energy efficiency, reduce water runoff, and help the building better withstand extreme weather events. These upgrades enhance the structure's resilience to climate change while minimizing its environmental impact.
Equity Analysis:
The Olympia Heritage Commission is dedicated to improving the education and outreach opportunities to underrepresented communities. Every listing to the Olympia Heritage Register, Special Property Tax Valuation application, and design review project, is an opportunity for education and outreach.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
The project site is located within the Downtown Olympia Historic District, listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Options:
1. Recommend Heritage Commission support to the Building Official for the design as presented.
2. Recommend Heritage Commission support to the Building Official of the design as presented, with comments or recommendations.
3. Do not recommend Heritage Commission support of the design as presented and further evaluate if the proposed work would negatively affect features related to the structure’s listing in the Heritage Register.
Financial Impact:
N/A
Attachments:
Submittal Drawings
Roofing Timeline and Replacement Materials
Historic Property Inventory Report for Old Capitol 600 Washington St SE
Heritage Review Checklist