As 2014 comes to a close, we are pleased to report that a major milestone will occur in our campaign to protect and perfect the views to and from America’s most magnificent capitol campus setting. Next week, with the help from an engineering battalion from the US Army, work begins on the demolition of the former Housing Authority building on the site of the planned Olympic Capitol Vista Park on the Isthmus. The demolition of this first building...

Park Foundation kicks off its public campaign The Olympian – December 23, 2013 YAY: $100,000 FOR PARK Congratulations to the Olympia Capitol Park Foundation for raising the first $100,000 of its $400,000 goal to develop a public space on 2.3 acres of the currently blighted isthmus property. Jerry Reilly, chair of the group, says fundraising has so far been conducted on a person-to-person basis. But the group plans to use the publicity...

On December 17, 2013 the Olympia Capitol Park Foundation presented a check for $100,000 to the city of Olympia to support removal of derelict buildings on the site of Phase I of the Capitol Olympic Vista Park. The Foundation announced its goal to raise an additional $300,000 for site preparation. The Olympian – December 17, 2013

Dear Friends, As 2013 comes to a close, we can celebrate the great progress made to protect and perfect the views to and from America’s most magnificent capitol campus setting.  In June the city of Olympia purchased 2.3 acres for Phase I of the Park on the Isthmus. This purchase ends the threat of construction of a very large condominium building that would have impaired the views between the Capitol and the Olympics. The next task is to remove...

The Olympian – April 28 – Editorial Proponents of turning two blighted properties on the isthmus from eyesores into attractive additions to the Capitol Campus vista are understandably encouraged by this week’s Olympia City Council action. It’s a confirmation of the political force they have mustered to move the city’s agenda and public opinion toward creating an iconic space between Capitol Lake and Budd Inlet. The council’s...

April 23,2013 the Olympia City Council approved a purchase and sale agreement with the owner of two parcels of land needed to build the Capitol Olympic Vista Park. These  parcels total 2.3 acres and were the site of the previously proposed high condominium project called Larida Passage. The total purchase price will be $3.3 million and was made contingent upon receiving state funds in addition to the $2.3 million available from the city and...

The Olympian – April 25 House budget includes $386,000 for land purchase, but Senate budget has no allotment The Olympia City Council’s vote to buy private land on the city isthmus for a future park depends on $1 million in state funding. But with time running out on the legislative session Sunday, the funding request must get over a high hurdle – and only the House capital budget has any money for the land at this point. South Sound...

The Olympian – April 24 The Olympia City Council’s vote to buy private land on the city isthmus for a future park depends on $1 million in state funding. But with time running out on the legislative session on Sunday, the funding request must get over a high hurdle – and only the House capital budget has any money for the land at this point. South Sound lawmakers are not giving up, and the three Democratic lawmakers representing the...

The Olympian – April 24, 2013 In a surprise vote, the Olympia City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to pay an estimated $3.3 million to buy two properties on the downtown isthmus, an area that was the site of a controversial proposal to build two upscale condominium buildings. The move, which would allow for a new park, came suddenly; the item was a late addition to the council’s agenda. City staff earlier reached a tentative...