New Organization Founded to Promote Isthmus Park

PRESS RELEASE

Olympia, August 6, 2008

Nearly forty people, representing many Olympia community organizations, met on Monday, August 4, and agreed to form a new non-profit Association for the purpose of promoting the development of part of the Capitol Lake Isthmus as a Public Park.

The group came together at the invitation of the "Steering Committee for Public Acquisition".

In addition to incorporating the new Association, the group also decided to launch an Initiative Petition drive to ask the City of Olympia to adopt an Ordinance to "Investigate the feasibility of acquiring and developing part of the Capitol Lake-Budd Inlet Isthmus as a Public Park, and of partnering with the state of Washington and private entities to accomplish this goal." If sufficient signatures are collected (preliminarily estimated to be 4000) the City Council will have the option of adopting the proposed ordinance or submitting it for a vote of the people.

The specific area for study would be the parcels between Fourth and Fifth Avenues from Water Street to the Capitol Lake Spillway. The analysis would include the costs of removing existing buildings now located within the affected area. The most notable building is the multi-story Capital Center Building. The proposed Park would not include the areas now occupied by the Bay View Market, the Oyster House, or the Olympia Yacht Club.

The group also named Jerry Reilly as temporary chair, and Jeff Jaksich as temporary treasurer, pending the preparation of formal Articles of Incorporation.

For additional information contact Jerry Reilly at 360 561 4212 or at jerryreilly@msn.com