Title
Approval of a Resolution Endorsing the Nomination of the Olympia Armory to be included in the National Register of Historic Places
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
The Heritage Commission recommends endorsing the nomination of the Olympia Armory to be included in the National Reister of Historic Places.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve the Resolution endorsing the nomination of the Olympia Armory to be included in the National Register of Historic Places.
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve of a resolution endorsing the nomination of the Olympia Armory to be included in the National Register of Historic Places
Staff Contact:
Brittany Gillia, Historic Preservation Officer, Community Planning & Development, 360.753.8427
Presenter(s):
None - Consent Calendar Item.
Background and Analysis:
An application nominating the Olympia Armory to be included on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) was submitted to Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation in June 2024. This property was listed locally on the Olympia Heritage Register on May 4, 2021 as seen on City Council Agenda Item File Number 21-0391.
The Olympia Armory is eligible for the national register under criteria A and C for its architectural style and integrity, as well as for its association with important events that have contributed significantly to the broad patterns of Olympia and national history. Built in 1939, the Armory is part of a long history of Army National Guard and Militia presence in Olympia from the earliest days of Washington Territory. It played an important role in Washington State and US costal defense systems as well as other operations during WWII.
Alongside its military history, the Armory has been important to Olympia’s community history as a familiar, well-used venue and community gathering space. It has hosted everything from auto shows and ski swaps, to graduations and State Inaugural Balls.
The Olympia Armory is also significant because it carries the distinctive characteristics of the Art Moderne style of the Public Works Administration period, unchanged since it’s construction. Designed by Olympia’s prolific, premier architect Joseph Wohleb, it is the most ornate among armories built in Washington during the late 1930’s.
Climate Analysis:
Including the Olympia Armory on the National Register of Historic Places will have no impact on greenhouse gas emissions. The overall energy efficiency of the building will be greatly increased through upgrades associated with the Creative Campus construction project.
The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) reports that “About 39 percent of global carbon emissions come from the construction and operation of buildings. This impact can be reduced by reusing existing buildings, thus avoiding the embodied carbon emissions inherent in new construction, including the carbon associated with the manufacturing and transportation of new materials and the removal and disposal of building materials from demolished buildings. Reuse of existing buildings in urban areas also contributes to climate change mitigation by promoting density, helping to combat urban sprawl and its attendant negative environmental impacts… Since approximately 40 percent of America’s building stock is at least 50 years old, it is critical that reuse and energy retrofit of older and historic buildings (including enhanced electrification and increased energy efficiency standards) be fundamental priorities.”
Equity Analysis:
The working vision of the Armory is to 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 operating from an equity framework. Spaces will be used by several community Anchor partners who have been selected by a criteria that involve consideration of community benefit by being responsive to community needs, with an intentional effort to serve marginalized and underrepresented groups which could include people who identify as Black, Indigenous, People of Color, Immigrants & Refugees, LGBTQI+, People with disabilities, and youth. These partners will be using various offices and shared spaces within the campus to give opportunities for a physical working location that is accessible via a mix of public transportation, walking, biking, and driving.
The recommended improvements that are part of the Creative Campus concept will bring the Armory and garage buildings up to code requirements for safety and accessibility. Supporting the nomination to include the Olympia Armory on the National Register of Historic Places is not expected to further impact known disparities in our community. The Armory campus is well positioned to play a role in community conversations regarding the complex meanings of history and the community’s place in that history, and in exploring community relationships to past, present and future through the arts.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
The Eastside Neighborhood Association (ENA) has a strong interest in the Armory and was an active advocate for the City acquisition of the building and it’s listing on the local Heritage Register. The City of Olympia has designated a Creative District that covers much of Downtown and extends within two blocks of the Armory campus. The district includes some 150 enterprises and is intended to retain, promote, and encourage Olympia’s quirky, vibrant and artistic community. The Armory is considered an asset to the nearby neighborhoods and there is interest in integrating the Armory Creative Campus into the City’s Creative District over time.
Financial Impact:
There are no direct financial impacts with the listing of the Armory on the National Register of Historic Places, however, being listed is the first step toward eligibility for National Park Service-administered federal preservation tax credits that have leveraged more than $45 billion in private investment and National Park Service grant programs like Save America’s Treasures and Preserve America. Further, with an effective partnership model, the city and their Anchor Partners and community groups could collaborate and share in generating improvement capital grants that may not be accessible to the city or the non-profit.
Options:
1. Approve the Resolution endorsing the Olympia Armory’s nomination to be included in the National Register of Historic Places.
2. Move to amend the Resolution and recommend endorsing the Olympia Armory’s application with proposed amendments and comments in support of the nomination.
3. Do not approve the resolution endorsing the Olympia Armory’s nomination to be included in the National Register of Historic Places.
Attachments:
Resolution