Olympia studies moving municipal court to Thurston County as City Hall retrofit costs and logistics loom

Olympia City Council held a special study session June 12 to review options for the future location and operation of the city’s municipal court, including a potential interlocal agreement with Thurston County to provide judicial services.

Assistant City Manager Debbie Sullivan told the council staff presented three paths: lease commercial space, retrofit city-owned buildings (City Hall council chambers and 108 State Avenue), or retain prosecution/public defense while transferring judicial services to Thurston County. “It is my hope that at the conclusion of the study session, you have the information you need to provide staff direction,” Sullivan said.

Why it matters: the city is balancing its “reimagining public safety” goals with a continuing structural budget shortfall. Sullivan said the council faced an $11.8 million budget gap for 2025 and used $4.1 million of fund balance and reduced spending to close part of it; the remaining structural shortfall is a driver behind considering regionalization of court services.

City presentations and cost comparisons KMB Architects partner Bill Valdez and project engineer Fran Eide laid out physical modifications needed to operate a fully functioning municipal courtroom inside the existing council chambers and to relocate court administrative functions, prosecution, probation and public defense to 108 State Avenue. Valdez said the shared‑use courtroom would require security screening, private attorney‑client/victim spaces, a secured route and restroom for judicial staff, and jury accommodations. He estimated gallery seating could be made to fit but called some layouts “tight.”

Sullivan summarized cost estimates presented to the council: a new Justice Center would cost an estimated $89–$94 million (2023 dollars) and more than $50 million if built without a jail, with about $4 million in annual debt service. Leasing a…