What’s being built next to the former Phyl’s Furniture on Harrison Avenue?

Readers driving down Harrison Avenue near Kaiser Road in west Olympia have seen it, and many are asking: What is under construction there?

The Olympian has the answer: The project is called the Harrison Avenue Plat, and it will build 70 single-family homes. The project in the 4800 block of Harrison Avenue Northwest was first proposed almost two years ago, according to city of Olympia information. The project was pitched by the Tenino Land Company LLC in September 2022.

What’s happening now?

The project has received preliminary plat approval, so the work that is happening now is tied to the infrastructure needed for a neighborhood, such as sidewalks, streets, utilities and such, said interim Community Planning and Development Director Tim Smith.

How much land are we talking about?

The size of the development is a little over 12 acres. About 2.4 acres are in the city’s urban growth area (unincorporated Thurston County) and 10 acres are in the city, Smith said.

How does that work?

That means the the city is handling some parts of the development process through an interlocal development agreement with Thurston County, he said.

The city handled the preliminary plat process, the civil engineering permit and will issue final plat approval, Smith said.

Depending on where the lot is within the development, contractors will then seek building permits from either the city or county.

“This is a good example of coordinated planning between the jurisdictions,” Smith said.

Do you know the area?

The Harrison Avenue Plat is across from a large housing development called Woodbury Crossing. At the corner of Harrison Avenue and Kaiser Road is the Westwood Baptist Church. Also in the area: Blue Heron Bakery, MultiCare Capital Medical Center and the 2 Mile House Pub & Eatery.

Sign Up for Local Breaking News