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Thurston County approves $34.9 million purchase of downtown Plum Street site
Summary
The Board of County Commissioners unanimously authorized closing on the purchase of seven acres and six buildings at 805 Southeast Plum Street, Olympia, for $34,900,000 plus closing costs and post-closing adjustments; staff said the bond used for the purchase is limited to facility acquisitions and must be used by October 2025.
Thurston County—oard of County Commissioners voted unanimously to close on a purchase-and-sale agreement for seven acres and six buildings at 805 Southeast Plum Street in Olympia for a purchase price of $34,900,000 plus applicable closing costs and post-closing adjustments.
The county will use the property to co-locate several county departments and reduce lease costs, county staff said.
Assistant County Manager Joshua Cummings, who briefed commissioners before the vote, said the acquisition uses bond proceeds established years earlier for courthouse, law-and-justice and general government facility needs. "The bond can only be used for the purchase or renovation of property and must be used by October 2025 or incur arbitrage penalties," Cummings said. He added that the bond proceeds cannot be used to plug the county—udget shortfall in the general fund.
Rick Thomas, capital projects planning manager with Central Services, told commissioners that a $500,000 deposit previously paid under the purchase-and-sale agreement had initiated inspections and research and that due diligence confirmed the buildings "will meet the needs of the county." Thomas requested authorization to execute lease amendments and any future amendments that do not exceed 10 percent in order to finalize closing and recording.
Commissioner Pournier framed the purchase as a long-term capital solution, saying it avoids repeatedly asking voters for large bond measures and moves the county away from leasing. The motion to authorize closing and approve lease-amendment authority passed unanimously.
Public commenters asked questions about process and transparency before and during the staff presentation. John Pettit, who had addressed the board during the public-comment period, said the county had not sought adequate public input and raised concerns about the property site being sited on liquefaction soils. Cummings and Thomas referenced previous public outreach, an earlier 2022 board resolution that initiated the bond for acquiring new property, and legal review from the prosecuting attorney's office.
Staff materials and a frequently asked questions page are available on the county website, and central services staff said they anticipate completing final due diligence and recording before October to conform with bond timing requirements.
Ending: The board authorized the county manager or designee to complete closing per the agreement executed 07/29/2025 and approved the lease amendments as described. Commissioners and staff signaled the county will now proceed to implement tenant improvements and consolidate departments into the new site.
