In a recent government meeting, officials provided an update on the City of Olympic's comprehensive plan, which is undergoing significant revisions aimed at enhancing urban development and community engagement. The comprehensive plan, last updated in 2009, is a critical framework that guides land use and infrastructure planning in the city. It emphasizes high-density development in three key areas: downtown, the Martin Way Pacific area, and the Capital Mall area.

The city’s planning process has been characterized by extensive community involvement, with over 2,000 public comments collected during the last update. Officials highlighted the importance of this feedback in shaping the current plan, which envisions transforming the Capital Mall area into a complete urban neighborhood.

The current project has two primary goals: to facilitate high-density residential and mixed-use development and to support the area's role as an economic driver for the city. The meeting outlined the project's three main components, including the development of a sub-area plan, an environmental impact statement, and a planned action ordinance that will incorporate mitigation measures and high-priority actions.

Since the grant from the Department of Commerce was awarded in late 2021, the city has engaged in a thorough public process, including the issuance of a draft environmental impact statement earlier this year. Community outreach efforts have been robust, with nearly 30,000 emails sent and multiple community meetings held to ensure broad participation.

Officials expressed gratitude for the support staff's efforts in facilitating communication and outreach, which included targeted mailings to local residents and businesses. The meeting underscored the city's commitment to transparency and collaboration as it moves forward with the comprehensive plan, aiming to create a vibrant urban environment that meets the needs of its residents and businesses alike.