Tumwater down to 2 sites for community center location

Tumwater City Council narrowed the potential locations for a new community center to two sites: the former WSDOT building on Capitol Boulevard and an undeveloped Port of Olympia property on Kimmie Street. The Kimmie Street site, measuring 24 acres, offers significant space for future growth, while the WSDOT site is 9. 72 acres. During a council meeting, BRS Architecture presented the scoring criteria used to evaluate the sites, emphasizing the Kimmie site’s challenges with accessibility and distance from the town center. Council members expressed differing opinions, with some supporting the Kimmie Street property for its potential to accommodate future development, while others raised concerns about environmental issues and groundwater supply.

Mayor Debbie Sullivan clarified that traffic improvements for the WSDOT site would be funded separately. The decision on the site is crucial for shaping community development in Tumwater, particularly as the city anticipates growth in the south and southwest areas. Todd Anderson, the city’s recreation manager, acknowledged the positives of both locations but emphasized the Kimmie site’s advantages. The city’s evaluation process underscores the importance of balancing growth potential with environmental considerations.