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Council reviews Olympia 2045 economic chapter; asks staff for revisions before acceptance
Summary
The council reviewed the draft economic chapter of the Olympia 2045 comprehensive plan, discussed edits on living‑wage phrasing, '24‑hour city' language, inclusion of nonprofits and neighborhood centers, and asked staff to make revisions and return the chapter rather than accept it at this meeting.
Jennica Machado, the city’s new Economic Development Division Director, presented the draft economic chapter of Olympia 2045 and summarized its development from the Olympia Strong public‑engagement process and subsequent reviews by the Planning Commission, the Social Justice and Equity Commission, and the Finance Committee.
Council discussion focused on wording and emphasis. Members requested removal of duplicated sentences, clarification or removal of the phrase "24‑hour city," clearer treatment of living‑wage versus affordability language, and more explicit recognition of nonprofits, libraries and neighborhood commercial centers in the chapter’s economic strategy. Council Member Madrone and others recommended further attention to how the chapter supports neighborhood centers and adaptive reuse strategies for downtown and the mall/triangle area.
Next steps and decision: After extended discussion councilmembers asked staff to incorporate the council’s feedback and return the chapter in a revised form for consideration (staff proposed returning the revised chapter on consent with a staff report outlining changes). The council did not preliminarily adopt the chapter at this meeting.
Why it matters: The economic chapter will guide policies affecting workforce development, zoning for mixed‑use and infill, support for small businesses and nonprofits, and efforts to reduce the local affordability gap. Councilmembers emphasized the need to preserve the outcome of prior community engagement while refining language that could be interpreted as policy choices.
Ending: Staff agreed to make the requested edits and return the chapter for council review and subsequent readings as part of the larger Olympia 2045 plan process.
