Title
Approval of a Resolution to accept Department of Commerce Community Decarbonization Grant Award for the Olympia Armory
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Approve a Resolution authorizing an agreement with Department of Commerce to accept the Community Decarbonization Grant Award for the Olympia Armory.
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve a Resolution authorizing an agreement with Department of Commerce to accept Community Decarbonization Grant Award for the Olympia Armory.
Staff Contact:
Valerie Roberts, Armory Building Manager, Parks Arts and Recreation Program, 360.753.8468.
Presenter(s):
None - Consent Calendar Item.
Background and Analysis:
The proposed project for the City of Olympia Armory aims to reopen the facility as a Creative Campus, repurposing the Armory into a dynamic hub for local artists and community members. It may also serve as an Emergency Management Services (EMS) facility during times of need.
To support the sustainability of the Creative Campus, the Armory intends to utilize the Department of Commerce decarbonization grant to implement solar and battery energy storage systems (BESS). These systems will enable the facility to generate renewable energy while storing excess energy in batteries for use during peak demand periods or emergencies. Solar and BESS technologies significantly reduce reliance on conventional energy, lower emissions, and enhance its energy resilience.
In addition to powering the Creative Campus's daily operations, solar and BESS will play a crucial role in transforming the Armory into an EMS facility. With its ample space and strategic location, the facility can serve as a designated gathering point during emergencies. Equipped with renewable energy resources and backup power capabilities, the Armory can provide essential shelter to residents, strengthening community preparedness.
The integration of solar and BESS into the Armory's redevelopment as a Creative Campus will increase community resilience and reduce environmental impact while also enhancing its capacity to serve as a vital resource for the community, both in times of celebration and in times of adversity.
Climate Analysis:
The installation of solar and battery storage at the Olympia Armory is a continuation of the work to ensure that all building improvements for the Armory Creative Campus are 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. Solar and battery storage will not only reduce the Armory’s reliance on greenhouse gas emissions but will also create a more resilient community hub.
Equity Analysis:
The Olympia Community, Arts Nonprofits, Anchor Partners and more will benefit from this work as it is the first step to upgrading the Armory to be available for community use. One criteria for selection Anchor Partners was due to their focus on providing programs for underserved community groups. Additionally, reduction in energy costs will directly help in keeping rental rates for Anchor Partners affordable, which will allow them to pass those savings along in their programming.
Although this portion of the work does not have a high community engagement component, it is based on community engagement work done previously. Through the 2022 Concept Plan. Finally, this work will be done with Ameresco, whose commitment to DEI and hiring local subcontractors who are minority and women owned is high and demonstrable.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
No concerns have been reported.
Financial Impact:
This grant funding has no match requirement but must be spent by June 2025. This will kickstart the Armory construction projects which were already slated to begin at the end of 2024 or beginning of 2025.
Options:
1. Approve Resolution: Implications include moving forward on installation of solar and battery storage systems at the Armory building to support its use by the Olympia Community, Anchor Partners and more.
2. Modify Resolution: Implications include delays to construction timelines, increased construction costs for essential energy improvements, increase in future bills paid at the Olympia Armory and push out the opening date for the Armory Creative Campus
3. Don’t Approve Resolution: Implications include no solar or battery storage improvements to the Olympia Armory, limiting the ways the Olympia Armory can decrease greenhouse gas emissions.
Attachments:
Resolution
Agreement