[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6220429,"mediaKeyId","3617529-5c75e4853c42aeb2cbf0a6c3314ffa9e","parentId",3617529,"title","Tumwater historic commission asks council to mark College Trail, Old Highway 99 and 47th Parallel","audioSeconds",3453,"startMs",24935,"endMs",3478385,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3617529-5c75e4853c42aeb2cbf0a6c3314ffa9e&start=24&end=3478","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3617529-5c75e4853c42aeb2cbf0a6c3314ffa9e/thumbnail_24935.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6220429/Tumwater/Thurston-County/Washington/Tumwater-historic-commission-asks-council-to-mark-College-Trail-Old-Highway-99-and-47th-Parallel","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6220429-41f012323c64054c37499eee1ec67117/orig.mp4?Expires=1772798651&Signature=Q80vPVImg~QnIrMEJGqiR4OjaNoOEF2RMS69Z4hQoMbVb3euDHbJL~~x~Bi6vi7w05742V0IitRSFNebZ~VN5OnGY~BBc3tF7OuPNKMxKvHxfOdFFRc7HMXnAfSjGr14qi6xj3~OMLL4L-URaegP~KZqlbiXURsu9az4RsJR3FEXZ5uVvU6ovKiNiCWfYJxLsrgP6kOcyrMtiz1Peh6TzbU8ZskQ6k-a7kx302X3LheOjh5qyV0~ItNcJ1C7ogTQ47Xi56fFkvm4t85GmzQ0FcYOLOjnuzwpb5gxjUQKTtj33XmJGnsnNc24XCHvjq~OdUCVCmIFwGV99-maTXSxCA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Tumwater, WA - City Government","date","2025-05-29T15:50:48Z","article","Tumwater — The Tumwater Historic Preservation Commission on May 27 urged the City Council to approve a program of signs and monuments to make local historic routes and places more visible, including markers for the College Trail segment of the Oregon Trail, historic Highway 99 (State Road 1/Pacific Highway), and a monument denoting the 47th Parallel.

The commission’s proposal, presented by longtime commission member and former councilor Dave McCandry, asks the city to place directional icons and “Historic Route 1” plaques at gateway points, along Bonniewood Drive and Second Avenue, near the airport oak tree and at Tumwater Falls Park, and to consider a 47th Parallel monument on a Trosper Road traffic circle. Parks and Recreation Director Chuck Denny told the council the commission “was unanimously supportive and very excited about this presentation and the projects that it outlines and voted to send it to the city council for further review and hopefully, in the end, support to move these projects forward.”

The proposal includes three linked elements: interpretive signage marking the College Trail (a local segment linked in McCandry’s research to the Cowlitz Trail), an overlay of historic state-highway signage identifying the city’s place on the Pacific Highway/old US‑99 corridor, and a monument noting the 47th Parallel where it crosses Trosper/Prosper Road. McCandry also suggested adapting the city’s historic iconography to acknowledge George and Isabella Bush, early pioneers who settled in the area in 1845, and to reflect the couple’s interracial partnership.

Why it matters: McCandry said the markers would create “readily accessible” history and teach residents and visitors about Tumwater’s role in regional migration and transportation. He also said a National Park Service study has recommended the College Trail segment for inclusion in the National Historic Trail system — a change that would require an act of Congress — and that interim, locally placed signs could preserve public memory while the federal process proceeds.

Details and next steps: McCandry described proposed placements: historic-route signage at the city’s south gateway, marker panels at the oak tree by the Olympia Regional Airport (one northbound and one southbound), panels on Bonniewood Drive adjacent to Peter G. Schmidt School, markers on Second Avenue near Michael T. Simmons Elementary, and interpretive panels in Tumwater Falls Park.

He also proposed adapting Highway 99 (Historic Route 1) brown signage and placing “1M” variant markers on Little Rock Road; noted Tumwater’s historical link as the start point for U.S. 101 near Deschutes Parkway; and suggested the city consider a 47th Parallel monument sponsored by community groups such as Rotary.

Funding and scope: Denny said the historical commission’s budget likely can cover the proposed Highway 99/College Trail signs, but the 47th‑Parallel monument “is far beyond what we have budgeted for right now.” He said the commission has discussed private sponsorship and outreach to community organizations to fund larger monuments and that staff will work with transportation staff and the city’s budget process to scope placement, design and cost.

Council response: Multiple council members praised the idea during the work session. Council member Dollhoff said, “I am personally a big fan, and I'm in full support of this idea about places and spaces because it opens up the conversation for other stories.” Council member Jefferson called the presentation “timely” and “needed,” and other council members urged staff to return with placement options, costs and community‑engagement plans.

Discussion vs. decision: Council did not adopt an ordinance or make a funding commitment at the meeting. The commission forwarded its proposal to the council for review; council members expressed support and asked staff to refine siting, design and funding options. Denny said staff will coordinate with transportation staff and other departments before returning with specifics.

Background: McCandry framed the proposal with historical maps and overlays that link modern road alignments — including old Highway 99 and segments near the airport oak tree — with 19th‑century routes. He referenced township plat maps and research by Dave Welch of the Oregon‑California Trail Association to trace the trail’s alignment into Tumwater Falls Park and the Newmarket settlement. McCandry told the council the College Trail segment’s national designation is under study by the National Park Service but that federal designation requires congressional action.

What’s next: Staff will work with transportation and budget staff on placement, permitting and cost estimates and return to council with a more detailed implementation plan and funding options. No formal timeline or appropriation was adopted at the session.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Work Session May 27 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Tumwater Historic Preservation Commission on May 27 urged the City Council to approve a program of signs and monuments to make local historic routes and places more visible, including markers for the College Trail segment of the Oregon Trail, historic Highway 99 (State Road 1/Pacific Highway), and a monument denoting the 47th Parallel.","taxTitle","Tumwater, Thurston County, Washington","taxId",70653,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6220424,"Tumwater staff begin planned‑action EIS work for brewery brownfields; phase‑2 sampling underway",1915,3478685,5394210,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3617529-5c75e4853c42aeb2cbf0a6c3314ffa9e&start=3478&end=5394","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3617529-5c75e4853c42aeb2cbf0a6c3314ffa9e/thumbnail_3478685.jpg","/articles/6220424/Tumwater/Thurston-County/Washington/Tumwater-staff-begin-plannedaction-EIS-work-for-brewery-brownfields-phase2-sampling-underway","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6220424-72d39a29b177db24c71d9ac5792fdbd1/orig.mp4?Expires=1772798651&Signature=UxJTAfANZP12z39CGa3Tam2ODYP4lSW-Tcb~D84rQKoAUFIOSQeQ01vGOnBp3y0w5bjnXMIXLV-wGc~nbaJlHlEYJ6DGgMM9FWRZLDM4SKZAnnia0FFF5gpqKuHCFVqi33J9oDtNBAjOFq19UISr0HIBeE44R2lhUxwgNUvyLT62GMIkq-tiVI-22cRtemgw6ws0zyDWHdcLzo8YBnodnUf57Mo5XviRTpqC-Nw7mbug0XLFhTVnegvxK0JYRuzOlzPu0LF2YdppnfWL3dVoi-OZE8KRmbx5L22e1VUgVNcPQZ1~T28t-h~Sp8YHYO6KelRubs9~eJIyJ50SXZH02w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Tumwater — City staff on May 27 briefed the City Council on the next steps for redevelopment of contaminated brewery properties and related brownfield sites, including underway environmental sampling and plans to prepare a planned‑action environmental impact statement (EIS) under the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA).

City Administrator (Parks) and Kelly (economic development lead) told the council that sampling has advanced from Phase 1 to Phase 2 at the Knoll portion of the former Olympia Brewery site and that Phase 2 fieldwork has begun this week at the former WSDOT Olympic Region headquarters site. Kelly said the city is using two main grant tracks: an integrated planning grant (IPG) from the Washington Department of Ecology focused on the WSDOT site and a community‑wide assessment grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency covering multiple opportunity sites, with deliverables that include 15 Phase 1 assessments and 10 Phase 2 assessments.

Why it matters: City staff said the planned‑action EIS — a non‑project, subarea SEPA review — will allow Tumwater to evaluate alternative redevelopment scenarios across a defined study area, identify infrastructure and mitigation needs, and adopt mitigation measures in a planned‑action ordinance so qualifying future projects can proceed without separate, project‑by‑project SEPA reviews. City staff said the approach can improve predictability for developers and support regional collaboration to reuse the sites.

What’s been done: Kelly reported that Phase 2 drilling and sampling at the Knoll site “happened last week” and that the city should have laboratory results by late summer. The Valley portion of the former brewery has a completed Phase 1 and a scheduling plan for Phase 2. The former WSDOT Olympic Region headquarters began subsurface testing this week; staff said they are coordinating with WSDOT environmental engineers on the scope and data sharing.

Grants and funding: Kelly and Parks said the city has applied for a $250,000 Thriving Communities grant and is pursuing EPA and Ecology brownfields grants. The city included budget authority in the 2025–26 biennial budget to support early planning and the EIS scope but noted that the budget will not cover the entire planned‑action EIS process; staff said additional funding sources will be sought.

Planned‑action EIS scope and timeline: Parks explained that a planned‑action EIS evaluates a defined geographic subarea, analyzes development scenarios and identifies mitigation measures that are then adopted into a planned‑action ordinance. He said the city has a draft scope of work from a consultant, plans for a regional working group, and expects community engagement to continue; the work is projected through calendar year 2026. Parks said the EIS will analyze built‑environment impacts (water, sewer, transportation, floodplain and public services) and natural‑environment impacts (river and water quality) and produce mitigation strategies and funding approaches.

Council questions and next steps: Council members asked whether older planned‑action EIS documents expire and how to coordinate with nearby neighborhoods. Parks said prior planned‑action EISs typically expire and that staff will review whether a prior area should be incorporated into the present study area. Kelly said she has not yet done neighborhood‑level outreach for the WSDOT site and invited council members to identify neighbors or groups for targeted briefings. Staff said they will return with a detailed scope of work, study‑area boundaries, outreach plan, and preliminary cost estimates once the consultant work progresses.

Quotations: Kelly opened, “I am so excited to have my first conversation with you tonight in this role.” Parks summarized the planned‑action benefit: “Once this planned action EIS process is complete, any future projects that happen within that area that are consistent with the development scenarios and the types and intensities that were evaluated and that incorporate the mitigation measures that are identified in the planned action ordinance, they don't have an additional separate, individual SEPA review process.”

Discussion vs. decision: Council received the informational update; no regulatory action, ordinance adoption or funding appropriation for the EIS was approved at the meeting. Staff said the council can expect follow-up briefings as sampling results come in and the planned‑action scope is finalized.

Background: Kelly described the brownfields process (Phase 1 historical research, Phase 2 soil and groundwater testing, remediation planning), and highlighted that federal and state cleanup funding sources are available to public entities to reduce risk and foster redevelopment. Parks said the city has discussed the project with regional partners and the lieutenant governor and intends to include regional stakeholders in the planned‑action process.

What’s next: Staff will gather Phase 2 results, refine the planned‑action EIS scope with the consultant, pursue additional funding sources, and return to council with a timeline, study‑area map and preliminary mitigation and cost estimates.","City staff updated council May 27 on brownfield cleanup and a planned‑action EIS for the former brewery and nearby sites; phase‑2 sampling at the Knoll site is complete, WSDOT site testing has begun, and the city is pursuing Ecology and EPA grants and a scoped EIS through 2026.","actionData","errors"]

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Tumwater historic commission asks council to mark College Trail, Old Highway 99 and 47th Parallel

Tumwater staff begin planned‑action EIS work for brewery brownfields; phase‑2 sampling underway