The city of Tumwater has taken an important step toward advancing the community’s vision for the Brewery District. In August, the city kicked off initial tasks for environmental investigations of brewery properties, as well as a WSDOT site within the Capitol Boulevard corridor. Among other challenges for redevelopment of these areas, the city is actively addressing environmental conditions through partnerships with the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), WA State Department of Ecology (Ecology), Tribes, and private property owners. This work sets the stage for ultimately transforming these areas into a vibrant, safe, and connected heart of the city that honors Tumwater’s past while looking toward the future.

The Olympia Brewery closed in 2003, and seeing opportunity amid loss, the Tumwater community embarked on a visioning process in 2011. The Brewery District has been envisioned as a vibrant, neighborly mixed-use urban community with abundant shopping and business services, safe and accessible transportation options, and recreational amenities. Likewise, the vision for the Capitol Boulevard corridor includes improving the business climate and appeal of the area, enhancing bike and pedestrian access, and expanding urban connectivity.

However, some properties in this area may be, or are perceived to be, contaminated and are referred to as “brownfields.” The contamination results from decades of industrial commercial uses and must be addressed before the they can be redeveloped. The city of Tumwater secured grants from the EPA and Ecology to assess and conduct early planning work, evaluate the environmental conditions, conduct economic analysis, and engage the community on the proposed work at these properties. A team of technical experts headed by Haley & Aldrich, Inc., an environmental and engineering consulting firm, was selected by the city through a competitive selection process. Work is now underway.