[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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",[32,75,87],{"_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",6520039,"mediaKeyId","5338942-5e617518df5543fe177faf8ac43243fa","parentId",5338942,"title","Council approves $26.57M bond package to fund Yelm Highway park and Armory arts center renovations","audioSeconds",3086,"startMs",5317000,"endMs",8403000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5338942-5e617518df5543fe177faf8ac43243fa&start=5317&end=8403","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5338942-5e617518df5543fe177faf8ac43243fa/thumbnail_5317000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6520039/Olympia/Thurston-County/Washington/Council-approves-2657M-bond-package-to-fund-Yelm-Highway-park-and-Armory-arts-center-renovations","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6520039-1677f25794fbe059f6268b3809643ddc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771188447&Signature=Jeys4C66dAiklCW-MB9kS-tQm9FfKh09TJMJkPpzSQd4e6~WjcxUB7sQ-8rzlqv9F~Tz40ATt5w3UHhfVh2-24IxmQXJUqpjGDDZCBbO-T3sClIAygPmc8mq7Q~UXLAL3z2prvCJE6KPgv8OkQeo9ZTHXC5Pm3n7oRc5ikwbnEtrD4ETyE0si-9KkMgAWKW4eQmAYW09~SKcoj5Z7gG6Vj3dGvzvcJ0NGdu4bUwtVd-KlTbZHHNKS5X6zxBbUYx83OHatjFzacZjLT3-4iAdU0hdHMGJoVhfzsziNra7nMpQxHWrz7HX1HxsyICHYdtlHOoCsYp7ZmgiiIJxb0t2mA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Olympia","date","2025-07-08T00:00:00Z","article","The Olympia City Council voted to authorize issuance of 30-year debt with estimated proceeds of $26,570,000 to finance two legacy parks and arts projects: Phase 1 construction at Yelm Highway Community Park and Phase 1 renovations of the Armory Arts Center.

Interim Parks, Arts and Recreation Director Silvana Niehauser presented the package and described the projects as \"community backed, grant leveraged, and shovel ready.\" She said the combined first-phase cost for Yelm Highway Community Park (phase 1) and Armory renovations is roughly $46 million; staff plan to debt-finance about $26.6 million and use secured grants and prior investments to cover the remainder.

Phase 1 at Yelm Highway is described as a roughly $27 million project that would provide a full-size synthetic lit soccer field, playground, 13 pickleball courts (one ADA-accessible), two full-size basketball courts, a community plaza, support amenities, EV and bicycle parking and restoration/landscape work. The city reported about $3.85 million in grant funding secured for Yelm Highway and roughly $14 million invested to date in acquisition and site work.

The Armory phase 1 renovation was presented as an $18.9–$19.0 million project to bring the 1938 building up to code, add seismic and accessibility upgrades, install HVAC improvements including fresh-air intake, abate lead and asbestos, replace the roof (with solar and battery-storage plans), and provide fire suppression and new electrical service. Staff said the city has secured about $2.5 million in grants and invested roughly $1.2 million to date on the Armory project.

The finance plan approved by the council would rely primarily on parks-dedicated revenues: approximately $700,000 per year of voted utility tax dedicated to parks, about $750,000 per year from the Olympia Metropolitan Park District (MPD), and about $270,000 per year from a proposed extension of a 0.5% nonvoted utility tax that currently is set to expire in 2029. Staff said the full amount of the nonvoted utility tax is about $525,000 per year and the proposal before council would retain roughly $270,000 of that for parks through a 20-year extension to 2049.

Under the adopted motion staff estimated an annual debt payment of roughly $1,720,000. Council discussed alternatives — including a smaller 20-year bond that would have required additional scope reductions or use of fund balance — and directed staff to proceed with the 30-year package that preserves the projects’ scopes and funds planned solar installations on the Armory roof. The motion approved the staff recommendation to issue the debt, extend the use of a portion of the nonvoted utility tax to 2049, and fund the projects as proposed.

Council members voiced support for advancing two long-standing community projects despite current budget constraints. Council member Gilman, who moved the motion, called the projects \"legacy\" investments and urged a long-term view. The council adopted the motion by voice vote.

If the city moves forward on the timeline presented, staff said the bond rating would occur in August, sale in September and construction contracts to follow, with Yelm Highway construction expected to begin in early 2026 and openings planned in 2027. Staff noted the package will slow the pace of other capital work but said impact fees and grant match will continue to support other parks investments.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Olympia - City Council Meeting on 2025-07-08 at 6:00 PM - Jul 08, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The council authorized a 30-year debt issuance estimated at $26.57 million to fully fund Yelm Highway Community Park Phase 1 and Armory Arts Center Phase 1 renovations; the package relies primarily on parks-dedicated revenue and a proposed 20-year extension of a half-percent nonvoted utility tax contributing about $270,000 annually to parks.","taxTitle","Olympia, Thurston County, Washington","taxId",4862,"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},6520044,"Olympia council authorizes interlocal agreement with Thurston County for judicial services",800,3480000,4280000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5338942-5e617518df5543fe177faf8ac43243fa&start=3480&end=4280","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5338942-5e617518df5543fe177faf8ac43243fa/thumbnail_3480000.jpg","/articles/6520044/Olympia/Thurston-County/Washington/Olympia-council-authorizes-interlocal-agreement-with-Thurston-County-for-judicial-services","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6520044-4f5e0516f5be1f33e0f1e08520f44bbe/orig.mp4?Expires=1771188447&Signature=iOjtA7Z33QJvpKxBdfQZhH7hsyYgvhb58qcf-QqL3fEUFIBkLluba5xJJpj-0m-1ARypH6DGLZ9109Z9~3qa-jj73RCQPyinxJkucDZVY22Cv8MWQO28ZYJl-ckveTYv6avAqorDnTmjwYlbkb2-WQo~ahMh8TKinleqL4z4756qbY3-vh~JzeDW2e4-S51awNCzUX8-3jazliLvKHpKDe634vDsw4x34tdawuJuM--P0B4gTuAUxKleqVHIXmoPXpd1RQcFVEnjhvmFWAjEWa4wxHD-4nR6FV019VAYxWm4i5T38BdmnFHSsd6sedlD2J8qxMTfomMcqTqjQa3VjQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Olympia City Council voted to approve a resolution authorizing an interlocal agreement with Thurston County for delivery of judicial services, city staff announced after a detailed presentation on the options the city considered.

Debbie Sullivan, assistant city manager, told the council the decision responded to long-term budget shortfalls and facility constraints at the Lee Creighton Justice Center. \"The purpose of the agreement is to provide all court services for all criminal cases and infractions requiring a hearing as well as progressive alternatives and supervised probation,\" Sullivan said, summarizing the scope of services the county would provide under the agreement.

The agreement covers a transition period from July 1, 2025, through Dec. 31, 2026; the city would provide six months' notice to the Administrative Office of the Courts and intends to transition judicial services on or around Feb. 1, 2026, if county approval and notifications proceed as planned. Staff said the county will complete a comprehensive rate study prior to the agreement’s expiration so the parties can set terms for any future extension or renegotiation.

Sullivan described the context that led to the recommendation: the municipal facility at 900 Plum Street dates to 1966 and a 2019 assessment identified more than $12 million in deficiencies; a 2022 master planning estimate put a replacement cost at $89–94 million (including an estimated $32 million to replace the jail). The city faces budget pressure, Sullivan said, noting an $11.8 million gap in 2025 that led to $7.7 million in reductions and the use of roughly $4.1 million in fund balance.

Under the interlocal, Olympia would retain prosecution, victim assistance and public defense coordination while judicial operations would be handled by Thurston County. The agreement specifies services such as case processing, file management and supervised-probation programs, and explicitly mentions veterans court, mental-health court and other therapeutic or community court options. The county will provide an annual report on enrollment in specialty programs. Sullivan said staffing assumptions for the transition are based on 17 full-time equivalent positions and that the county had provided a planning-level estimate of about $640,000 for one-time tenant improvements.

Council members who spoke during the discussion expressed sadness that retaining a standalone municipal court was not financially feasible but supported the regional approach as the most sustainable option. Council member Gilman said the decision was difficult but supported moving forward; Council member Green moved the resolution and the motion passed on voice vote.

Sullivan said if the council's resolution is matched by the county’s approval (anticipated at the July 29 county commission meeting), the city will provide the required notice to the Administrative Office of the Courts and begin the transition process, including employee transition planning and negotiations with unions and nonrepresented staff.

The interlocal agreement contains notice and termination provisions, including a requirement that the city give notice to the county by Oct. 1, 2026, if it seeks to extend the contract beyond the initial term; if the parties cannot agree on terms they can use arbitration or mutual extension while negotiations continue.","The City Council approved a resolution to enter an interlocal agreement with Thurston County to transfer municipal judicial services to the county beginning early 2026; the agreement covers case processing, supervised probation and progressive alternatives and is intended as a budget-driven regionalization during a defined transition period.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6520049,"Olympia council approves tax-exempt bonds to fund Hands On Children’s Museum expansion",2171,1289000,3460000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5338942-5e617518df5543fe177faf8ac43243fa&start=1289&end=3460","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5338942-5e617518df5543fe177faf8ac43243fa/thumbnail_1289000.jpg","/articles/6520049/Olympia/Thurston-County/Washington/Olympia-council-approves-tax-exempt-bonds-to-fund-Hands-On-Childrens-Museum-expansion","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6520049-a52a2b544bc43c621f225964149e4db1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771188447&Signature=INHX1ZbBk36O0yqSmnw0B1Bc2NNbF3bZfaBElZbsPCfcFLZgLqpJo4yap0mIec~o6b54knG9YFmrc2vkSYN7SSpa3c-yTcqZxofD8NUQg49Rlga7B7pEK0MseGsYpXw~rLPR8kPk21XztKGNiWO84cvTGKJPv~7tVBIZLJ3lWQaxQOC9mv2tkWJuvJ8jVJL~cGOXZDqkp3UpCXRZodN-qgdveXPZDfAmvuuwhXHHzaTK64mZ14I7ibph9RkrBvNB49gJN-FTCdMpKQfwc3C2QobVqxnoGvXSGKGn8odiGMv57j2JLMAAVqWtFbmoL7UASYVUh8aMqZVHzQD5U7Sajg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Olympia’s City Council approved an ordinance on the consent calendar Monday authorizing issuance of tax-exempt obligations of up to $25,000,000 to finance capital improvements for an expansion of the Hands On Children’s Museum.

The approval followed a public TEFRA (Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act) hearing during which city staff described the plan of finance, museum staff and volunteers urged support, and the council adopted the ordinance as part of its consent calendar. \"We're here on to issue tax exempt bonds for the expansion of the Hands On Children's Museum,\" Finance Director Mike Giffens said during his presentation.

The expansion plan would double exhibit space from about 12,000 to about 24,000 square feet. The overall project budget is listed at $30,600,000; city staff said the issuance before the council is a limited-tax, general-obligation bond issuance sized at $20,500,000 on a roughly 30-year term, with an estimated annual debt payment of about $1,500,000. Giffens said the bonds are secured primarily by dedicated public facility district (PFD) sales tax revenue and by a museum set-aside to cover potential shortfalls.

Museum leaders and staff told the council the expansion would increase programming capacity. \"I'm one of the culinary educators,\" a museum staff member who identified herself as Ali said during the public hearing, adding the current space limits programming (\"we don't even have enough electricity to run two blenders in the same room\"). Patty Belmani, identified in the hearing as CEO of the Hands On Children's Museum, emphasized the museum’s regional draw and role as a PFD partner: \"This partnership and the PFD bonding mechanism is a significant win for children and families in our community,\" she said.

City staff described next steps for the bond issuance: a rating agency presentation in August, a targeted bond sale in September and proceeds to be received thereafter. The city also held the TEFRA hearing required under federal tax law and posted hearing notice on the city's website beginning June 30, 2025.

The staff presentation said the museum has also secured other funding sources, including private, state and federal grants and donations, which together with the proposed bond proceeds would fund the project. The bond ordinance approved on the consent calendar was described in staff materials as authorizing issuance \"not to exceed $25,000,000,\" while the financing plan discussed at the hearing specified a planned issuance of $20,500,000.

Council members did not request further public discussion after the hearing and moved the ordinance forward on the consent calendar; the consent calendar vote adopted the ordinance and associated matters as published. City staff said bond counsel was available during the hearing and that a Public Facilities District board meeting is being scheduled to coordinate the PFD-side approvals needed for closing.

If the city proceeds as planned, residents should expect a bond rating presentation in August and a bond sale in September, with construction and other project milestones following from the museum and its project team.","The City of Olympia adopted an ordinance on the consent calendar approving up to $25 million in tax-exempt bonds to finance an expansion of the Hands On Children’s Museum; staff expects a bond sale in September and estimates roughly $1.5 million in annual debt service secured by public facility district sales tax revenue and museum set-asides.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves $26.57M bond package to fund Yelm Highway park and Armory arts center renovations

Olympia council authorizes interlocal agreement with Thurston County for judicial services

Olympia council approves tax-exempt bonds to fund Hands On Children’s Museum expansion