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Committee backs placing Ecology grant amendment for Olympic Region brownfield work on council consent calendar
Summary
City staff requested a two‑year extension to a Department of Ecology integrated planning grant used for brownfield assessment at the former WSDOT Olympic Region headquarters; staff recommended placing Amendment No. 1 on the May 20 council consent calendar and the committee voted to forward it.
Kelly (assistant city administrator and lead economic development staff) told the General Government Committee on May 14 that the city seeks a two‑year extension to its Department of Ecology integrated planning grant to continue due‑diligence and environmental assessment work at the former WSDOT Olympic Region headquarters on Capitol Boulevard, a brownfield site vacated by WSDOT in 2021.
Kelly said the grant originally totaled $200,000 and the city had drawn down $83,000 to date. Staff reported Phase I assessment work is complete and that Phase II soil sampling was expected to begin in June, subject to coordination with WSDOT’s schedule. Kelly described positive collaboration with WSDOT and with Ecology staff, thanked Ecology technical staff (Dan, Alia and Tom) and noted mentorship from Mike Matlock.
Staff recommended placing Amendment No. 1 on the May 20 council consent calendar to extend the grant term so the city and WSDOT can complete required environmental sampling, demolition coordination and any code‑related actions. Council member Lietta Dollhoff voiced support for the amendment, noting Kelly presented the item to the committee first, and a motion to place the amendment on the May 20 consent calendar carried unanimously (moved by Council member Dollhoff and seconded by Council member Altauser).
Kelly said the next work steps include Phase II soil sampling and continuing collaboration with WSDOT and Ecology; staff emphasized that sequencing and timing depend on partner schedules and noted the grant extension is intended to align state funding availability with the project timeline.
