Community Topics
Community Topics
Airport
No. The Davis Meeker tree is located outside of the Runway 17-35 Protection Zone and doesn’t play a part in any future airport plans. Removing the tree would therefore not have any effect on the procedural requirements of those approaches. Whether the tree ultimately remains or is removed will have no bearing on airport operations.
Considering the current request for proposal to replace the roof of the neighboring historic Washington State Patrol hangar, the Port has a singular concern: potential damage to the hangar in the event of a tree failure towards the airport. Such an incident could result in significant harm to the registered historic structure, impacting law enforcement’s capacity to effectively serve the Thurston County community.
For information about The Davis Meeker tree, please visit the City of Tumwater here. Davis Meeker Garry Oak Tree FAQs | City of Tumwater, WAFurther inquiries regarding the Davis Meeker Garry Oak Tree can be directed to the City of Tumwater. The city’s official platform offers a dedicated resource outlining frequently asked questions concerning this topic. For additional information, please refer to the provided link. Davis Meeker Garry Oak Tree FAQs | City of Tumwater, WA
There are no initiatives or plans to expand the footprint of the Olympia Regional Airport. In fact, a review has identified the necessity to reduce the dimensions of one of the runways, specifically the crosswind runway. This assessment indicates that the current dimensions exceed the operational requirements for the size of aircraft utilizing it. Preliminary estimations suggest a reduction in length to approximately 3,500 feet, a decrease from the existing 4,500 feet.
The Port of Olympia has facilitated a comprehensive discussion regarding airport plans, which is accessible for public viewing on YouTube. Within the discourse, pertinent dialogue addressing the nuanced understanding of the term “expansion” is located approximately at the 2-hour and 10-minute mark.
The MPU is a multi-year planning initiative that outlines the development and improvement strategies for the airport. The update is nearing completion, with final documents scheduled to go before the commission in February 2025.
The completion of the MPU was delayed in order to incorporate development alternatives that were contingent upon an approved Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP). However, due to delays with the HCP, the airport will proceed with the update without including these specific development alternatives.
The final drafts of the MPU documents were made available on the Port’s master plan update website. The complete draft is now available as of January 13th, 2025.
Yes. Starting January 13th, 2025, there will be a 30-day public comment period. During this time, the public will have the opportunity to review the final draft documents and provide comments before the commission takes action.
To learn more about the MPU, please visit the Port’s master plan update website at airport.portolympia.com/airport-master-plan/
Attend the Airport Master Plan Q&A with Airport Senior Manager Chris Paolini and Port Staff event on Wednesday, February 26 from 5:30 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. at Percival Plaza – Olympics Room – 626 Columbia Street NW, Suite 1B Olympia, WA 98501. The Port’s Airport Senior Manager, Chris Paolini, and other key Port staff will be on hand to answer questions.
Community
Sand Man Tugboat Preservation Process – Community Update
The historic Sand Man tugboat had long been a treasured part of Olympia’s maritime heritage. After more than a century in service and display, the vessel’s physical condition continued to deteriorate to a point where restoration or preservation of the boat itself was no longer feasible. Rather than allow this important piece of local history to disappear without stewardship, the Port of Olympia, working with regional preservation partners—developed a plan to honor and protect the Sand Man’s legacy.
Assessment and Preservation Direction
The Port, guided by the City of Olympia’s Historic Preservation Officer and the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation, evaluated an alternative preservation proposal submitted by the Historic Maritime Foundation (historicmaritimefoundation.org). A subcommittee of the Heritage Committee reviewed the concept and formally accepted it as the best path forward.
Because of the vessel’s extensive deterioration, the Sand Man was determined unable to ever be seaworthy again and had passed the point of any realistic or structurally sound restoration. Based on this assessment, the Port entered into contract with the Historic Maritime Foundation to complete a defined scope of work that included:
- Removal and preservation of historical artifacts
• Full archival documentation of the vessel
• Storage and cataloging of artifacts
• Regular project update meetings with Port officials
• Contractor coordination for wheelhouse removal
• Design and placement of educational signage and historic interpretation throughout Olympia
• Coordination of a community commemoration event at Harbor Days
• Collaboration with the Maritime Heritage Area and regional historic organizations
• Oversight of 3D archival imaging of the vessel in partnership with related institutions
Historic Designation Review
On June 24, 2026, the Sand Man went before the Heritage Commission for the removal of its historic designation. The Heritage Commission approved this action, allowing the vessel’s preservation plan to move forward.
Artifact Stewardship Program
Historic elements of the vessel were inventoried, documented, and prepared for community distribution through a formal application process. This process was created to ensure that artifacts were placed with organizations, nonprofits, and entities capable of preserving, interpreting, and sharing them with the public.
Applications to become stewards of Sand Man artifacts were accepted through August 15, 2026.
Information was available through public postings and direct communication throughout the community: Port of Olympia Now Accepting Applications for Historic Sand Man Tugboat Artifacts (posted July 22, 2026)
Applications were received and reviewed by the following Committee members:
- Chuck Fowler – Local Historian, Board Member of South Sound Maritime Heritage Association
- Matt Levy – Maritime historic preservation expert. Director of Airsnipe Foundation and USCG-11Foundation.
- Steven Becker – City of Olympia – Heritage Commissioner
- Olive Theodore – Maritime Conservationist, Founder of the Walrus Boat Recycling
- Nathaniel Howe – Expert Maritime Archeologist, Director of Puget Sound Maritime Historical Society
- Aaron LaPointe – Founder – Historic Maritime Foundation, Board Member of South Sound Maritime Heritage Association
Some of the successful applications who received Sand Man artifacts through the application review process came from:
- Tugbout Irene – Historic Tug (sister boat to Sandman)
- Tugboat Creosote – Historic Tug
- Kip’s Garage
- South Sound Maritime Heritage
- Clover Park School District – Public display in Middle School
- Historic Maritime Foundation
Community Information and Public Notices
In April of 2026, the Port published a Sand Man Historic Fact Sheet, which was distributed digitally and at community events throughout the summer.
Two public notices related to the vessel were issued:
• Auction notice (April 21, 2025)
• Legals and public postings (July 22, 2026)
Media Coverage
The Sand Man process received coverage in local and regional news outlets, including articles that documented the vessel’s condition, the auction process, and the final determination that no bidders emerged. These included:
- Update on the Sandman tugboat in Olympia (Video) | The Olympian
- Historic Sandman tugboat fails to find a buyer at auction (Video) | The Olympian
- 118-year-old Olympia tugboat has accrued $30K in fees, is set to be dismantled – The Olympian
- Auction set for Olympia’s historic Sandman wooden tugboat – The Olympian
- No bidders emerge for historic tugboat that used to host tours on Olympia’s waterfront – The Olympian
- Olympia Heritage Commission recommends delisting Sandman from register | The JOLT News Organization, a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit
- Olympia Heritage Review Commission to tackle historic Sandman tugboat’s future | The JOLT News Organization, a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit
- Olympia Heritage Commission discusses status of Sandman tugboat | The JOLT News Organization, a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit
- Olympia committee considers delisting Sandman tugboat from historic register | The JOLT News Organization, a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit
Moving Forward: Four‑Phase Preservation Process
The work surrounding the Sand Man followed a four‑phase preservation and stewardship plan:
Phase 1: Assess and inventory all archaeologically significant items, and complete an application process to place these items with entities that would publicly display them. (Completed)
Phase 2: The City of Olympia and the Port of Olympia assessed the vessel for any items they want to incorporate into public spaces, parks, and plazas.
Phase 3: The Historic Maritime Foundation to work with applicants who did not receive their requested item to help identify alternative artifact options.
Phase 4: The Port and the Historic Maritime Foundation to explore working with Lacey Makerspace to extract components from the vessel that could be upcycled or repurposed.
Community Engagement at Harbor Days
The Historic Maritime Foundation will host a booth at Harbor Days under the pavilion, where community members will be able to learn more about Sand Man and the preservation effort.
Author Lisa Nichol, who wrote the Tugboat Sand Man book, plans to participate as part of the Harbor Days booth’s educational activities.
The South Sound Maritime Heritage Association will be moving the 120-year-old tugboat Parthia to her permanent display site next to the Olympia Farmers’ Market on Tuesday, August 18, 2026.
This is a major milestone for the nonprofit organization and its supporters who worked to rescue and restore the tug after its sinking in Hood Canal in 2017. Parthia’s local history includes working in Budd Inlet waters across four decades, from the 1930’s through the 1960’s, and later returning 26 times to participate in the annual Olympia Harbor Days festival. The 50-foot tug has been repainted in its 1950’s era colors.
The tug will be moving from the Swantown Boatyard to its site at the north end of Washington Avenue, on a parcel owned by the Port of Olympia. The tug will be lifted to a truck by the Port of Olympia’s boat lift, transported to the new site courtesy of Associated Boat Transport, and lifted to the waiting concrete pad by Snell Crane. The permanent support stands are being built by Zieglers Welding.
The tug must be placed on the site before the protective pavilion can be built around it. Additional funding is still needed before construction can begin. That work is critical to protect the tug from new damage from fall and winter storms. Construction fencing will remain around the tug until the pavilion is built. The construction contractor is Forma Construction.
Destination Waterfront
The Port of Olympia is advancing long-term waterfront revitalization as part of its Destination Waterfront vision, aimed at transforming the Port Peninsula into a vibrant, accessible and economically sustainable destination. As part of this broader initiative, a waterfront hotel proposal has recently emerged as a potential catalytic development project.
Port and the Swantown Marina Waterfront
Redevelopment of the marina-adjacent parcel has been contemplated in Port planning documents for many years, including early “Marina Village” concepts and more recent, community-informed planning through Vision 2050 and the Destination Waterfront planning effort.
These efforts established a vision for the Port Peninsula as a marine-focused destination that integrates marina operations, public access, tourism, environmental stewardship, and financial sustainability.
What Happened Most Recently
In January 2026, the Port Commission was briefed on concepts submitted (pages 20-33 in the packet from Jan. 20, 2026 Commission Work Session) in response to the Port’s October 2025 Solicitation of Interest. The briefing included conceptual information about a waterfront hotel idea proposed for the site. This meeting was reported on and the outcomes were summarized in The Olympian article: Olympia port commission largely supports waterfront hotel, with one exception
This briefing builds off of two previous Port Commission work sessions held on 5/19/25 and 6/16/25, in which the Commission gave clarity to the project by developing guiding principles and discussing methods of attracting potential interested development partners. This work was incorporated into a Solicitation of Interest released on October 1, 2025 as reported in the following article in The Olympian: Port of Olympia seeking developers with vision for 6 acres at Swantown
Who Is Kalyan Hospitality
Kalyan Hospitality brings over 30 years of experience in developing and operating award-winning hotels across major brands, with a proven track record of delivering projects that reflect the culture, environment, and values of the communities they serve.
Their goal for a hotel at Swantown Marina is to “create a signature destination that connects Olympia’s working waterfront with its civic heart, where hospitality, recreation, and community come together”.
They own over 40 hotels in the United States and are the owners of the downtown Olympia Doubletree Hotel.
Conceptual Nature of the Proposal
The materials presented by Kalyan — and discussed with the Commission — are illustrative and conceptual only. They are intended to demonstrate potential alignment with Port vision and principles, not to represent final design or binding commitments.
The proposal includes:
- a major-brand boutique-style hotel with approximately 120 rooms,
- incorporation of Swantown Marina office space into the development site,
- public-facing elements such as food and beverage, meeting/event space, roof top bar
- strengthened connection to waterfront pedestrian pathways.
Financial and Policy Considerations
At this stage:
- It is too early to determine final financial terms or returns.
- The Port has not approved a real estate transaction or development agreement.
- Any long-term agreement will require future Commission action.
Environmental and Regulatory Expectations
Any development moving forward would be subject to:
- City of Olympia land use and permitting requirements
- the Shoreline Master Program
- SEPA environmental review
- Climate resilience — including planning for sea level rise and flooding, will be a central requirement of any future design process.
Next Steps
The Commission provided guidance to staff to:
- Work towards entering into an Exclusive Negotiation Agreement (ENA) with the Kalyan Hospitality to provide time to refine program, uses, financial structure, and public benefits,
- initiating preliminary discussions with the City of Olympia and regulatory bodies, and
- returning to the Commission for formal consideration of any proposed agreement.
An ENA does not commit the Port to a project; it merely provides a structured process for further evaluation.
The master plan outlines the long-term vision for the Port Peninsula, guiding development for decades to come. Since 2022, the Port has focused on aligning future development opportunities with environmental remediation efforts. The Port will explore how the Budd Inlet cleanup can support and enhance upland redevelopment while incorporating community input from the Vision 2050 and Destination Waterfront initiatives. Visit the Port Peninsula Master Plan page, partnered with the Thurston Regional Planning Council.
We are committed to environmental stewardship and responsibility. Environmental permitting and remediation of legacy contaminants are critical and integral steps in any development of our properties on the Port Peninsula.
As we evaluate, plan and design any development, we work closely with environmental engineers, civil engineers, structural engineers, state and local regulators and professionals with expertise developing contaminated waterfront properties. All projects must comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and/or the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA). Both require a thorough evaluation of the environmental impacts of any project.
The Port’s goal is to do a thorough environmental evaluation in the form of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in conjunction with the Port Peninsula Master Plan. We will soon kick off that planning effort.
We are committed to environmental protection, responsible management of our properties, and engaging with community members. To ensure community members are included in our work to develop a clean and vibrant waterfront, we engage our Citizen Advisory Committee. The advisory committee will act as a sounding board as we develop plans to clean up contaminants in Budd Inlet, develop plans for our waterfront properties and Marine Terminal, and our efforts to address sea level rise and coordinate with the Deschutes Estuary Restoration Project.
There will be opportunities in 2024 and 2025 for the public to learn more about our work, engage with us as we continue cleanup Budd Inlet, and develop the Master Plan for the Port Peninsula.
The Port of Olympia Community Advisory Committee has been very active and a vital partner in planning the upland development of the Budd Inlet East Bay.
Much of their work began in 2018 when the advisory committee developed a report that considered leasing versus building or buying port office space. Their assessment was based on the Port being part of the community for at least 100 years. With that in mind, their report recommends buying or constructing a building for the Port offices. You can read their Office Consolidation Report on the Advisory Committee webpage.
After that report was developed, the Port engaged in a long-term community visioning exercise, Vision 2050. Members of the Advisory Committee participated in the 14-month process to develop a community vision for the Port by 2050.
Vision 2050 included the community’s recommendation to develop the waterfront into a place people in the region could use and enjoy more. To act on this, the Port began a public engagement process to develop a master plan for the East Bay of the Port Peninsula, which was branded Destination Waterfront.
A robust public engagement process for Destination Waterfront included the Advisory Committee, business leaders, tourism representatives, and local governments. This master plan included land use recommendations, public amenities, open spaces, and the advisory committee’s recommendation to construct office space the Port owns.
Today, the Port is working to follow through on the Destination Waterfront community vision by engaging an architect to develop schematic plans and construction documents that make the project shovel-ready. Once a project is considered shovel-ready, it may qualify for funding from local, federal, and private partnerships.
You can learn more about Destination Waterfront on our website.
Environment
We are currently evaluating the level of contamination in the sediment surrounding the Port Peninsula. Last year, our research team collected over 1100 sediment samples from over 100 locations in East Bay. Those samples are now being analyzed and we expect to share the report in June. We completed a second round of sediment sampling in the West Bay of Budd Inlet this winter. We anticipate those results to start coming in this May, with a final report available by the end of the year. To learn more, visit the Budd Inlet Cleanup page.
The Port of Olympia is aware of the potential hazards of 6PPDQ and its impact on salmon and other aquatic life in Budd Inlet. The Port also recognizes the ecological, commercial and cultural importance of coho salmon to local Tribes and their Treaty Rights. Like many other organizations, our environmental team is closely following the emerging research about this chemical so that we can do our part to help address harmful impacts and be responsible stewards of the public’s resources. However, 6PPDQ is not the sole responsibility of any one group or organization. It is a widespread problem that will require a coordinated effort at the federal, state and local levels to fully address it. Learn more about the current research that Washington Department of Ecology is doing on 6PPDQ in our blog post.
Properties
The historic Parthia tugboat is being restored and permanently installed on Port of Olympia property, as an interactive exhibit for the community. This project highlights the region’s maritime history and the significance of tugboats in Puget Sound’s working waterfront. The Parthia, built in the early 1900s, served Olympia waters for nearly four decades and was later a fixture in the annual Harbor Days tugboat races. After sinking in 2017, the South Sound Maritime Heritage Association (SSMHA) led efforts to salvage and restore the tugboat.
The Parthia will be displayed on Port property near the Olympia Farmers Market, contributing to the Maritime Washington National Heritage Area and providing an educational opportunity for visitors. The project involves local partnerships, including the SSMHA, Thomas Architecture Studios, Forma Construction, and Experience Olympia & Beyond.
Community donations are welcomed to support the Parthia Restoration & Exhibit Fund. For more information or to get involved, visit the SSMHA’s website. Maritimeoly.org, home of the South Sound Maritime Heritage Association
Read the Thurston Talk article here.
Stay tuned for updates on the exhibit’s installation, which was delayed due to weather. Visit the Port’s website and follow social media channels for rescheduled details.
At the Feb 10, 2025 Commission meeting, the Commissioners unanimously voted to approve an amendment to the 2025 Capital budget to initiate the purchase of the Dancing Goats (formerly Batdorf and Bronson) office and roastery building located at 200 Market St NE, Olympia, marking a significant step towards enhancing the Port’s administrative operations and consolidating its presence in the community. This strategic acquisition comes as a response to the recent announcement that Dillanos Coffee Roasters acquired the Pacific Northwest assets and facilities of Dancing Goats and plans to consolidate its operations in Sumner, Washington after closing down roasting operations in Olympia at the end of last year.
The Dancing Goats building, with over 22 years remaining on the current lease- 52 years if a 30-year option was implemented, occupies 1.46 acres of Port-owned land and is ideally situated adjacent to the Port’s marine terminal, Swantown Marina and Boatworks and nearby Port properties. This central location will allow the Port to streamline its operations and better serve its diverse business lines.
The Port commissioned an appraisal of the building on November 18, 2024 and subsequently reached an agreement with Dancing Goats on a purchase price of $2,152,500 for the building, along with an additional $5,350 for other non-fixed assets the Port intends to acquire. Both parties agreed to the terms of the Purchase and Sale Agreement. With Commission approval on February 10, 2025 for the Executive Director to sign the agreement, the closing date was set for March 31, 2025.
This purchase will fulfill the Port’s immediate space needs and save money by eliminating the need for constructing a new facility for Port administrative offices and Commission meeting space. The Port is also considering how the acquisition of the Dancing Goats building may complement the ongoing Port Peninsula Integrated Master Plan, which aims to enhance the overall functionality and attractiveness of the Port Peninsula area. Port of Olympia Commission Approves Purchase of Dancing Goats Building
KGY has decided not to renew its land lease with the Port of Olympia and has chosen to move its operations to the Evergreen Plaza building in downtown Olympia. As a result, the Port has taken over ownership and management of the building effective December 31, 2024.
Any decisions regarding the future use of the KGY building will be made after the completion of the Port’s Port Peninsula Integrated Master Plan, which is currently underway. This comprehensive planning process conducted by Thurston Regional Planning Council (TRPC), will define the community and Port vision for future use of the property and surrounding area. The master plan is expected to be completed by mid-2027. Once the plan is finalized and provides a vision for the site and surrounding areas, the Port will issue a formal Request for Proposals (RFP) to solicit development ideas from those interested in the building.
Regarding the building’s condition, a structural assessment provided encouraging news. Contrary to initial concerns, the building is in better condition than expected. The assessment reports that the structure is in fair condition, with estimated repair costs of approximately $230,000—significantly lower than earlier projections. It is also important to note that the Port most certainly understands the legacy of KGY radio to the wider community and will seek an appropriate way to permanently honor and memorialize that legacy.
