Just to catch you up to speed on the efforts to locate and build a Washington State Heritage Center on the Capitol Campus in Olympia: The State Capitol Committee has just unanimously recommended a high-visibility site at the main entrance of the campus.

The next step is to gain approval in the construction budget being developed by Governor Gregoire and the Legislature.  The main revenue stream was already approved by lawmakers several years ago, but authorization is needed now to actually sell the “certificates of participation” that will be the source of the mortgage.

The site recommended by Secretary of State Sam Reed and a team of outside architects, and the one endorsed by the Capitol Committee on Thursday, is the block at the corner of Capitol Way and Sid Snyder Avenue. That site, currently the home of a visitors’ info center, is at main entrance to the campus, at the stoplight for motorists who have come off Interstate 5 and continued straight ahead to the Capitol.

Originally, the new Heritage Center was to rise on a site overlooking Budd Inlet and Capitol Lake, but lawmakers requested the project be downsized somewhat and new sites explored.  The project will combine the State Archives, State Library, history exhibits, education programs, and community events.  Once the new drawings were ready and the pricetag pared to $119 million, a thorough review of potential sites led to the recommendation for the visitor center site.

The State Capitol Committee includes Governor Gregoire, Lt. Governor Brad Owen, Secretary Reed, and Land Commissioner Peter Goldmark. The site also received the blessings of the Olympia/Lacey/Tumwater Visitor & Convention Bureau, the Olympia Downtown Association, and the Thurston County Chamber.

Reed said he was delighted by the panel’s unanimous vote and the support from the community.  He said:

“This is a real boost for the effort to bring a quality ‘gateway’ experience for school children, families and other visitors to our beautiful Capitol Campus. We eagerly await the day the front doors open, and people learn more and more of the amazing stories of Washington state.”