United for the Future: Thurston County Moves on Downtown Site
CONTACT: Susan Melnyk, Chief Communications Manager, (360) 867-2097 or susan.melnyk@co.thurston.wa.us
United for the Future: Thurston County Moves on Downtown Site
The seven-acre site provides options for public services and a regional justice center.
OLYMPIA – The Thurston County Board of County Commissioners today approved a major step forward by entering into a purchase and sale agreement for multiple buildings on a seven-acre site in downtown Olympia, after years of assessing facility needs, listening to input from the community and employees, and exploring cost-effective options. This action starts the clock on a due diligence process before finalizing the sale, and honors community feedback to improve courthouse security and integrate county services.
The county plans to turn the site — near Plum Street and 8th Ave. SE — into a regional center for justice and public services — improving access in a centralized, accessible location designed to meet the region’s growing needs. The four well-maintained buildings offer plenty of parking for visitors and staff, convenient access to Interstate 5, improved connections to public transit, and room for future growth.
“Today’s announcement marks a major milestone, but it’s just the beginning of a new chapter,” said Board of County Commissioners Chair Tye Menser. “This property gives us the space and flexibility to grow with our community. As we move forward, we’re committed to a thoughtful, transparent planning process that includes our residents, employees, and partners every step of the way.”
The acquisition follows the Board’s January 2025 decision to scale renovation plans for the aging courthouse campus at 2000 Lakeridge Drive SE in Olympia as an interim, fiscally responsible approach to the security and service challenges experienced by the courts.
At the same time, staff continued exploring long-term solutions to fully address the courts’ space and security needs. As part of this effort, the county issued a Request of Expression of Interest—a competitive process that invited proposals from property owners. Through this process, a motivated seller presented a downtown site that met the county’s specific criteria. Real estate investment experts were consulted to evaluate long-term costs, confirming that acting now provides substantial savings to taxpayers over time.
“Our existing courthouse campus was originally designed for a county population half our current size, with fewer services and a far simpler mandate. Times have changed,” said Commissioner Wayne Fournier. “Our population has grown, and county government now provides more support and programming to a much larger, more diverse community. We’re working hard to invest in a new facility that’s affordable to acquire, cost-effective to maintain, and accessible to all residents.”
The $34.9 million purchase will allow for a phased move of law and justice services to downtown Olympia and the potential sale of the county’s courthouse campus properties. Additional plans would include moving County Administrative Services, currently being provided at the Atrium at 3000 Pacific Ave., to the new county-owned location to maximize service delivery for the community.
“Thurston County is an amazing community that continues to grow. The courts serve an important role here. The Superior Court judges are committed to partnering with the Board of County Commissioners to ensure that every person who comes through our doors—including jurors, litigants, community members, and staff — find a safe and accessible courthouse that can serve all the needs of our community,” said Presiding Judge John Skinder.
County officials plan to use remaining funds from a previous bond to make the purchase and expressed appreciation for the Board’s foresight, noting that this early investment has positioned the county to act on today’s opportunity.
“We are responsible for operating community and residential services for the sixth-largest county in the state, we understand the critical need for a cost-conscious, sustainable, and community-accessible site plan,” said Commissioner Rachel Grant.
“Keeping old buildings that weren’t built for how we work today doesn’t make sense for taxpayers,” said Commissioner Carolina Mejia. “This is a chance to bring services together under one roof, make things easier for the public, and save money in the long run. It’s not just about having a new space, it’s about doing our jobs better and making government work for the people.”
As the county looks to centralize services at its new location, leaders are already turning their attention to next steps, including comprehensive space planning and community input processes to support continued transparency and to ensure the new space supports, court operations, public services, and the people visiting and working there. The process includes:
- additional due diligence on the property before closing
- engagement with internal departments, elected offices, and the judiciary
- public updates and input opportunities
- phased transition plans
“This campus approach is a people-first investment: it streamlines how residents access services, strengthens safety and ADA services, and preserves flexibility as we secure a new courthouse space,” said Commissioner Emily Clouse. “I look forward to hearing input from the community as we shape each step with our stakeholders in an open, collaborative process.”
The opportunity to purchase downtown property and buildings will ultimately move the courts into a more secure, service-oriented location, and reduce a major lease cost for administrative services — ensuring that the justice system and county services operate in a manner that is accessible, efficient, and reflective of the values of all Thurston County residents.
“With clear direction from the Board and other elected officials, today’s announcement is just the beginning of a shared vision for Thurston County,” said County Manager Leonard Hernandez. “This property gives us the flexibility to responsibly grow with our community and honor the dedication of our justice partners and county staff.”
To learn more, visit Courthouse and Regional Administrative Buildings Project | Thurston County and subscribe for email updates.
Voices from Across the County:
Thurston County Prosecutor Jon Tunheim: “The Prosecuting Attorney’s Office is excited about this step forward toward bringing our team together in a safe and functional space to better serve our community. We will continue to collaborate with the Board and the other county offices and departments to make this vision a reality.”
Director of Public Defense Patrick O'Connor: “Thurston County Public Defense continues to support the Board’s approach to addressing longstanding concerns about our courthouses. The scaled-back updates to the existing facilities allow us to continue to serve the community while this phased approach prepares us for a brighter future.”
District Court Executive Officer Frankie Peters: “The courthouse options provided present opportunity, offering solutions that will be able to more effectively meet the needs of our community members and those that provide support to everyone seeking these important county services. Workloads and service levels have continued to increase, and the existing, deteriorating structure does not support what our community deserves – an accessible, safe, and functional space that provides trust and confidence in the services delivered. District Court is looking forward to our ongoing partnership with the Board and the coordination of positive, responsible, and thoughtful options that respect and serve our community.”
Pretrial Services Director Carrie Hennen: “Pretrial Services is pleased to partner with the Board in this long-term plan for improving the courthouse for our community, law and justice partners, and staff.”
