Heritage Commission

City Hall Meeting Minutes - Final 601 4th Avenue E Olympia, WA 98501 Heritage Commission Heritage Commission Contact: Marygrace Goddu (360) 753-8031 Monday, July 18, 2022 12:00 PM On Site at 1700 Marine Drive NE Heritage Review Committee 1. CALL TO ORDER Commissioner Davies called the meeting to order at 12:04 p.m. 1.A ROLL CALL Present: 4 - Chair Holly Davies, Commissioner Kenneth House, Commissioner Jessica Hull and Commissioner Gary Stedman Excused: 1 - Vice Chair Garner Miller 1.B OTHERS PRESENT Community Planning and Development Historic Preservation Officer Marygrace Goddu Citizen and author of the nomination Greg Griffith Building Owner Nick Kerry 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA The agenda was amended to discuss business items first and approve the minutes at the end of the meeting. The agenda was approved as amended. 4. BUSINESS ITEMS 4.A 22-0670 Olympia Heritage Register Nomination for KGY Radio Station Ms. Goddu introduced Mr. Griffith and Mr. Kerry to the Commissioners. Mr. Kerry led a tour of the building which concluded in his office on the second floor. Changes to building interiors and exterior over time were noted and discussed. Commissioners discussed the statement of significance prepared for the nomination. Relative to the requirement that a property be well-maintained, it was noted the building has ongoing maintenance challenges; however, this is expected given its exposure to the elements, and the owner has plans to address the exterior decking and railings which show the most need at this time. Commissioners noted tax incentives and building code allowances may be applicable that could aid needed rehabilitation work while retaining character-defining features. Commissioners recommended the Statement of City of Olympia Page 1 Heritage Commission Meeting Minutes - Final July 18, 2022 Significance be amended to mention the building has remained in the same function (radio station studio) and ownership from design to the present. Commissioners also noted two nearby elements of the site included in the nomination as contributing elements to the building’s history: the blue atlas cedar trees planted immediately to the east, and the concrete platform in front of the building that was the base for the radio tower. The trees recall the radio station’s early slogan, “KGY, where the cedars meet the sea.” The transmission platform provides a taking-off point for discussion about the history and evolution of communications technology. Mr. Griffith commented that when time and resources allow, future research questions should address KGY’s role in the history of local radio technology and the building’s role in leading transformation of the “port peninsula” from heavy industry and warehousing to commercial, recreational, and residential from 1960 to the present. Commissioners agreed the building possesses elements of integrity of location, design, setting, materials and artisanship, as documented in the applicant’s Statement of Significance, meeting the following criteria: A. Is significantly or substantially a part of or connected with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of national, state or local history. B. Embodies the distinctive architectural characteristics of a type, period, style or method of design or construction, or represents a significant and distinguishable entity whose components may lack individual distinction. C. Is an outstanding work of a designer, builder or architect who has made a substantial contribution to the art. D. Exemplifies or reflects special elements of the City’s cultural, social, economic, political, aesthetic, engineering or architectural history. Commissioner House moved, seconded by Commissioner Hull, to recommend to the full Commission that the KGY Radio station located at 1700 Marine Drive NW be listed on the Olympia Heritage Register on the basis of compliance with the criteria A, B, C and D of OMC 18.12.080 - Heritage Register - Criteria to designate property. The motion passed unanimously. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 3.A 22-0672 Approval of June 27 Olympia Heritage Review Committee Meeting Minutes The minutes were approved. 5. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 1:18 p.m. City of Olympia Page 2