By Enid Layes

The Legislature adjourned last week.  It’s been a long 105 days and several issues of importance to Oly2012 and Olympia citizens committed to revitalization of our downtown have been settled…at least for now.

Senator Karen Fraser and Representative Sam Hunt introduced legislation to override the Olympia City Council’s decision to amend their comprehensive plan to allow mid-rise mixed-use development on the isthmus. Oly2012 testified against these measures in both the House and Senate committees.  Oly2012 believes the state’s Growth Management Act (GMA) clearly gives authority to local governments to make zoning changes that are consistent with their comprehensive plans while allowing appeals to the Growth Management Hearings Board and then to Superior Court to ensure consistency with the GMA.  The bills ultimately failed.  We want to acknowledge the Olympia Downtown Association, the Thurston County Chamber of Commerce, Read the rest of this entry »

As in February, five members of OLY 2012 – Sharon Foster, Maureen Morris, Peter Stroble, Enid Layes and Jackie Barrett Sharar – testified on Wednesday, March 25th at the the hearing in the Local Government and Housing Committee in the House of Representatives for ESSB Bill 5800, the bill proposed by local Senator Karen Fraser intending to overturn the City of Olympia’s 2008 Comprehensive Plan for the Isthmus properties. The following clip is video of the five OLY 2012 steering committee members at that hearing.

To watch the entire hearing on ESSB 5800 at TVW, click here.

Dear Mayor Mah;

We write to express our support for your proposal for a ballot measure to repair Percival Landing and to purchase and remove the Capital Center building from the isthmus.

Percival Landing is a critical asset in the heart of downtown used by tens of thousands of residents and visitors each year. It is a key component of the City’s longstanding commitment to public access to the waterfront. In the past we have noted that the City’s first priority should be maintenance and repair of its existing public assets.

Nearly a year ago, OLY 2012 proposed purchasing the former Capital Center building and replacing it with a public performance and event space. We think removing it would significantly improve the view from the Capitol campus and we are open to considering various proposals for use of the site.

While our proposal was put forth in different economic times, and with a different funding mechanism, we believe your proposal would take advantage of the fact that this is excellent timing for purchase of the building and the need to make repairs to Percival Landing an imperative. Read the rest of this entry »

OLY 2012 was featured in a 1,500-word cover story article written by Matt Driscoll covering the Olympia Isthmus debate in the January 29th edition of the Weekly Volcano: Olympia waterfront building height wars – A view worth fighting for.

Based in Tacoma, the Volcano describes its editorial angle as “a hip take on culture and music flavored by a lifelong love of the South Sound”.   “With a combination of spunky columnists, vivid profiles and sassy commentary on the culture scene that keeps the South Sound percolating,” the Weekly Volcano touts itself “as a kind of collective urban diary.”

Click here to read the full story at The Weekly Volcano’s website. Read the rest of this entry »

Simpson, Geoff (D) Chair

(360) 786-7918

simpson.geoff@leg.wa.gov

Nelson, Sharon (D) Vice Chair

(360) 786-7952

nelson.sharon@leg.wa.gov

Angel, Jan (R)

(360) 786-7964

Angel.Jan@leg.wa.gov

Cox, Don (R)

(360) 786-7942

Cox.Don@leg.wa.gov

Hinkle, Bill (R)

(360) 786-7808

Hinkle.Bill@leg.wa.gov

Miloscia, Mark (D)

(360) 786-7898

miloscia.mark@leg.wa.gov

Short, Shelly (R)

(360) 786-7908

Short.Shelly@leg.wa.gov

Springer, Larry (D)

(360) 786-7822

springer.larry@leg.wa.gov

Upthegrove, Dave (D)

(360) 786-7868

upthegrove.dave@leg.wa.gov

White, Scott (D)

(360) 786-7886

white.scott@leg.wa.gov

Williams, Brendan (D)

(360) 786-7940

williams.brendan@leg.wa.gov