Submitted by City of Olympia
The City of Olympia and The Washington Center for the Performing Arts (The Center) are pleased to announce that the City is suspending construction on the Washington Center project through the holiday season. Washington Street will be fully open and accessible starting Saturday, November 23, 2013. Final construction will resume in early January.
“We are excited to ring in the holiday season with our friends and neighbors in the community. A break in the project will give patrons and shoppers a chance to experience downtown Olympia without having to negotiate the construction,” says Executive Director Jill Barnes. “We look forward to celebrating the future of the Washington Center as the project wraps up in the New Year.”
The Washington Center has many events planned during December. Enjoy Flamenco dancing, multiple performances of the Nutcracker, Clean Water/Cool Jazz, and even Sing-a-long Grease! Visit www.washingtoncenter.org for a listing of performances.
Downtown merchants and Olympia Downtown Association also have a full day of Downtown for the Holidays activities planned for Sunday December 1st, from 12 noon-5pm. Visit www.downtownolympia.com for details. To make your holiday shopping even easier, downtown parking is FREE at 2 and 3 hour meters from December 12 through 24.
In addition, you may view original artwork from local artist Ira Coyne on the front façade of the Washington Center. On large plywood panels, Coyne depicts the many eras of the Washington Center building, which opened in 1924 as the Liberty Theater and became the Olympic Theater in 1948.
“We’re pleased to reopen Washington Street in time for the holiday season,” says Rich Hoey, Olympia’s Public Works Director. “We know that access is vital for a thriving downtown. We encourage residents to come down and support the businesses, see the art work, and enjoy a performance.”
In January, work will resume and will include installing the brick and stone siding on Washington Street, completing the new entry canopy, and the hanging of a new marquee! One lane of Washington Street will be closed in January during this final stage of construction, lasting approximately four to six weeks.
