Heritage Commission Meeting: Sandman Tugboat Removal Approved on July 27, 2026

The Olympia Heritage Commission convened on July 27, 2026, at 5:30 PM in Room 207 of City Hall, with five commissioners present and four absent. The primary business item was a public hearing and deliberation on the removal of the Sandman tugboat from the Olympia Heritage Register. The commission also received staff announcements, discussed committee reports, and approved a letter of support for a student adaptive reuse proposal. The meeting adjourned at 6:34 PM.

Consent Calendar

• The agenda was approved unanimously.
• Minutes from the June 24, 2026 Heritage Commission meeting were approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public provided testimony during the public hearing for the Sandman tugboat removal, which was opened at 6:10 PM and closed immediately with no speakers.

Discussion Items

• Sandman Tugboat Removal from Olympia Heritage Register: Staff (Brittany Gillia, Historic Preservation Officer) presented a briefing on the 60-foot wooden tugboat built in 1910. The vessel suffered from extensive rot and structural decay after being out of water since 2023, with condition worse than anticipated. The Port of Olympia held an impound auction in July 2025 with no bidders and assumed responsibility. Aaron LaPointe, Director of the Historic Maritime Foundation, detailed the severe damage: over 75% of the planking is rotted, decking has disintegrated, and the boat poses a safety hazard. Estimated repair costs for hood ends alone exceed $200,000. The Port and Foundation proposed a mitigation plan including artifact distribution to public organizations, a 3D scan and archaeological survey (already completed), and a community send-off at Olympia Harbor Days. Commissioners expressed strong support for the plan, noting the thoughtful approach and the benefit of reusing parts on working historic vessels.
• Reports & Updates:
  • Heritage Review Committee has completed one site visit and scheduled another for window replacement permit review.
  • The upcoming CLG grant cycle: staff recommended focusing on outreach/education rather than a survey, and invited commissioners to attend a preservation training (Preservation in Action) in Ellensburg, October 6–8. Two commissioners indicated interest.
  • A Historic Preservation Field School was announced, offering three week-long sessions (Aug 30–Sep 4, Sep 6–11, Sep 13–18) at Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park, covering window restoration, metalworking, masonry, and stone preservation.
  • The MORE committee reported progress on planning a trivia night, with a potential date of August 24 or 25 at Three Magnets Brewing, possibly in partnership with the Big Little House Museum and Olympic Historical Society. A second meeting is scheduled for early August.
  • Staff shared a drafted memo of support for University of Washington student Nora Yao's adaptive reuse proposal for the historic KGY building at 1700 Marine Drive NE, which included options for a community meeting house or a history café. The commission approved the letter.

Key Outcomes

• Vote on Sandman Removal: Commissioner Cotter moved to remove the Sandman tugboat from the Olympia Heritage Register; the motion passed unanimously (5–0). This decision allows the Port of Olympia to proceed with deconstruction and artifact distribution as outlined.
• Letter of Support Approved: The commission voted to send a letter to Port of Olympia endorsing the student proposal for adaptive reuse of the KGY building.
• Upcoming Deadlines: CLG grant application due July 31; commissioners interested in field school or training must notify staff soon.
• Next Steps: Staff will prepare formal notice of the delisting and coordinate with the Port and Historic Maritime Foundation on mitigation activities.