Officials share update on $33 million Olympia Armory renovation

The Olympian: Officials share update on $33 million Olympia Armory renovation By: Anna Hull Regional lawmakers toured the under-construction Olympia Armory on Friday. The $33 million transformation remains more than a year from completion. It’s slated to reopen as a community creative center in late 2027. The building was constructed in 1938, though it wasn’t yet a military facility — it was Olympia’s primary public school. Washington state obtained the land, and the structure, in 1938. That’s when it became military headquarters. The city of Olympia acquired the Armory in 2022, beginning its transformation towards the Daley Arts Center, named for former Olympia Mayor Bill Daley. Project manager Valerie Roberts guided guests through the construction zone on Friday. So far, the renovation has focused on making the 43,000-square-foot building functional and safe — it couldn’t technically be open at all before the project. That construction phase costs $19 million, with the remaining expenses coming after the building is open for use. That phase has included reinforcing the roof, building storage, adding an elevator and improving bathrooms. These functional improvements have preserved the building’s historic elements as much as possible, Roberts said. The original wooden trusses supporting the roof can still be seen, even after renovation. The Armory’s use of the space will change, according to Roberts, to better meet community needs. The goal is for local artists, residents and organizations to rent parts of the building as needed. The 10,000 square foot drill hall will remain open, providing a massive indoor gathering space. The upper floor has gained a classroom. Eight community art nonprofits have leased space within the Armory, Roberts explained. For some of those organizations, this will be their first physical location. The upper floor will hold those offices. A mix of city, state and federal funding has supported the project. U.S. Rep. Marilyn Strickland was present for Friday’s tour. Her office requested federal dollars for regional community projects earlier this year. Of that grant, $250,000 went toward the Armory. Strickland told The Olympian that she pushed for those dollars because she sees value in the Armory’s transformation. “I think about projects and efforts that can have a seismic impact on the community,” Strickland said. “And this is a regional asset.” Strickland requested $986,000 in federal support for the project. Though only some of that amount was awarded, Strickland hopes that the Armory’s future success will increase its grant eligibility. ### 119th Congress Congress