WSDOT relocates staff from Olympia headquarters

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  The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is relocating most employees out of its aging Olympia headquarters building“The Washington State Department of Transportation is relocating employees and scaling back access to its aging headquarters on the Capitol Campus in Olympia amid continuing concerns about the building’s structural integrity.”
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  The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is relocating employees amid ongoing seismic safety concerns“The Washington State Department of Transportation is relocating employees and scaling back access to its aging headquarters on the Capitol Campus in Olympia amid continuing concerns about the building’s structural integrity.”
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  The building on the Capitol Campus has seen daily occupancy drop from 840 employees before the pandemic to fewer than 50 daily“Before the COVID-19 pandemic, daily occupancy averaged about 840 employees. On average, fewer than 50 people a day work in the four-story edifice on the east side of the campus, across the street from the Capitol.”
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  Agency communications director Ryan Overton stated the building has seen daily occupancy drop from 840 employees before the pandemic to fewer than 50 daily“Before the COVID-19 pandemic, daily occupancy averaged about 840 employees. On average, fewer than 50 people a day work in the four-story edifice on the east side of the campus, across the street from the Capitol.”
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  WSDOT began asking employees to limit in-office work in late 2025“Agency leaders began asking employees last fall to limit in-office work because of issues identified in a structural assessment by the Department of Enterprise Services, which owns the building, he said.”
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  Structural concerns were identified after which WSDOT began asking employees to limit in-office work“Agency leaders began asking employees last fall to limit in-office work because of issues identified in a structural assessment by the Department of Enterprise Services, which owns the building, he said.”
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  On November 24, 2025, employees reported cracks in a lower-level office“On Nov. 24, 2025, employees reported cracks in a lower-level office.”
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  An emergency inspection by a structural consultant was prompted by employees reporting cracks in a lower-level office on November 24, 2025“On Nov. 24, 2025, employees reported cracks in a lower-level office. A structural consultant hired by the Department of Enterprise Services carried out an emergency inspection.”
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  The structural consultant found no major damage but confirmed ongoing safety issues“They examined the reported cracks, as well as horizontal cracking in the parking garage and found no buckling, concrete spalling or damage to the building’s s”
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  The Department of Enterprise Services, which owns the building, conducted the assessment“Agency leaders began asking employees last fall to limit in-office work because of issues identified in a structural assessment by the Department of Enterprise Services, which owns the building, he said.”
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  The agency plans to reassign most employees to other facilities throughout Thurston CountyNo usable supporting receipt — unverified.
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  A structural assessment identified documented seismic concerns that have led to the reduced occupancy and relocation efforts“Over the years, the building has experienced ongoing maintenance issues and has documented seismic safety concerns. To prioritize employee safety, WSDOT is reassigning most employees who work in the building to other agency facilities throughout Thurston County, Ryan Overton, agency communications director, said in an email.”