🎭 Olympia Armory Renovation Begins

If you live in Olympia, here’s a big update on one of downtown’s landmark buildings: the Olympia Armory is officially being transformed into a creative arts campus.

💰 A Major Investment in the Arts

The city has secured enough funding to move forward with a $19 million renovation project. Construction kicks off on Thursday, September 25, 2025, and the building will remain closed until sometime in 2027.

When complete, the Armory will serve as a hub for arts, culture, and community gatherings, housing multiple nonprofit organizations and providing public access in a way the current building has never been able to support.

🛠️ Phase One: Safety & Accessibility Upgrades

The first stage of construction focuses on bringing the building up to modern standards, including:

• New elevators, ADA ramps, and accessible bathrooms

• Updated fire alarms and sprinklers for safety

• Improved sidewalks and crosswalks around the site

• New bike parking and EV chargers

• Solar panels with battery storage to increase energy efficiency

These upgrades are designed to make the space both safe and sustainable for long-term use.

🎨 A Future Arts & Culture Destination

Once the renovation is complete, the Armory will:

• House eight nonprofit arts organizations

• Host public performances, workshops, and cultural events

• Provide flexible spaces for the community to engage with Olympia’s creative scene

For years, the Armory has been limited in what it could host due to accessibility challenges. The renovation changes that — opening the doors to a much wider audience.

🧭 Why It Matters

Olympia has long been a hub for creativity, and this project represents one of the largest investments in local arts and culture infrastructure in decades. It’s not just about preserving an old building — it’s about creating a future home for the arts that will serve the community for generations.

📍 Olympia Armory — Downtown Olympia
💵 Renovation Budget: $19 million
📅 Construction: Sept. 2025 – 2027

📨 I’m Aaron Thomas, a local realtor sharing updates on development, community projects, and cultural stories across the South Sound. Every Friday, we publish the South Sound Report newsletter so you don’t miss the news shaping your community.

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