Title
Approval of a Resolution Designating City Owned Property at 911 Adams Street as Park Inventory
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve the Resolution designating 911 Adams Street as park inventory under the management of the Olympia Parks, Arts and Recreation Department, with monies spent in the transfer to be used to support the design, development and staff needs of the Armory Creative Campus Project.
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve the reimbursement of $315,424.72 from Parks acquisition funding to the Capital Improvement Fund, with the proviso that said funds shall be used to establish the Armory Creative Campus Project to jointly support the potential future acquisition of the Armory Building and the establishment of a Creative Campus.
Staff Contact:
Paul Simmons, Director Parks, Arts and Recreation, 360.753.8462
Presenter(s):
None - Consent Calendar Item
Background and Analysis:
In 2018, the City purchased the real property located at 911 Adams Street SE (also known as Fertile Grounds and the Koch Property) for a total cost of $315,424.72, using monies from the City’s Economic Development Capital Reserve Program in the Capital Improvement Fund. At the time of purchase, the City was exploring a variety of uses such as economic development, housing, and recreation.
Recognizing that this area of downtown (near the Olympia Timberland Library) was identified in the 2016 Parks, Arts, and Recreation Plan and the Downtown Strategy as an area in need of a City park, the City is ready to begin the planning process and to invest resources in the design and eventual development of a park in this location.
Simultaneously, the Economic Development Department and the Parks, Arts, & Recreation Department are working collaboratively to acquire the Armory Building and establish a Creative Campus. The approach is to accomplish the housing and economic development goals that had previously been envisioned at 911 Adams Street SE within the Armory Creative Campus Project. This approach allows for a Parks, Arts, and Recreation focus at 911 Adams Street SE.
Funds are needed to support planning and staff needs for a project feasibility study. The working vision of the Armory Creative Campus is to support the arts and culture as integral to Olympia’s way of life. The vision is to encourage community growth through creativity and innovation; use the arts to connect people, ideas, and places while operating from an equity framework. This project will include both housing and business incubator space for emerging arts focused organizations and non-profits.
The Parks, Arts, and Recreation Department proposes reimbursement of Capital Improvement Fund monies used for purchase of the purchase of 911 Adams Street SE from Parks acquisition funds should be used to establish the Armory Creative Campus Project. The City’s Economic Development Program and Parks, Arts and Recreation Department will work collaboratively to support acquisition of the Armory Building and the establishment of a Creative Campus.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
The acquisition of the Armory Building and the establishment of a Creative Campus has broad interest throughout the community.
Options:
1. Move to approve the designation of 911 Adams Street as park inventory under the management of the Olympia Parks, Arts and Recreation Department, with monies spent in the transfer to be used to support the design, development and staff needs of the Armory Creative Campus Project.
2. Move to make modifications to the proposed resolution and approve as amended.
3. Do not approve the resolution redesignating the property.
Financial Impact:
$315,424.72 to be reimbursed from the General Fund from Parks acquisition funds. In a future budget amendment, those funds will be committed to the Armory Creative Campus Project. Funding for the Fertile Grounds Project will be identified within the Parks, Arts, & Recreation Department’s future budget cycles.
Attachments:
Resolution