City officials plan to close The Jungle, the last large homeless encampment, by closing each section sequentially as housing becomes available after contacting about 290 individuals in May.
Local residents express skepticism about the timeline while officials promise to keep the community updated.
Olympia City Council approved an Indigenous Peoples Day proclamation for Oct.
12 to honor the Squaxin Island Tribe and other Indigenous nations. The celebration at Squaxin Park will run from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (free shuttle service begins at 11 a.m. from the Farmers Market parking).
Olympia City Council approved a $17.7 million contract with Active Construction Inc. for the first phase of Jolene Unsoeld Community Park at Yelm Highway and Wiggins Road, where groundbreaking is expected later this year.
The project includes sports fields, pickleball courts (one accessible) and community amenities.
Registration is now open for the public hearing on the proposed closure of McKenny Elementary School on Oct.
12 at 6 p.m. at 3250 Morse-Merryman Road SE + people can sign up online or on-site until 7 p.m. to share their views on the school's future.
At a meeting on Monday, Sept.
28, Port of Olympia Commission members criticized the Washington State Department of Ecology’s communication about a joint resolution to support the Deschutes Estuary Restoration Project—raising concerns over project timing and funding. The commission will revisit the resolution on Oct. 13 to address these planning issues.
A Puget Sound Energy public hearing in Lacey on Sept.
29 drew around 100 residents who raised concerns about steep rate hikes for electricity and natural gas, with the commission set to decide on the proposal in early January + another comment session scheduled for Oct. 7.
The City of Olympia will advance two public art projects as part of the Olympia Crossings initiative at Harrison & Division and Henderson & Eskridge, with concept plans due by June 2027.
A $10,000 mural pilot for Yauger & Sunrise parks was also discussed at a Sept. 23 committee meeting.
Parents and students pressured the board at a meeting to reverse plans to close three elementary schools, stressing each school’s community value + urging careful review of forecasts.
Public hearings are scheduled for Oct. 12, Oct. 15, and Oct. 19, with a final decision expected Nov. 12.
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