The Co-op wanted it, and could afford it, but apparently Safeway wanted to put a non-competition clause in any lease or sales agreement, so that once it changed hands, it couldn't be used as a grocery store, a pharmacy, or a gas station -- all things which are perceived to compete with other Safeways in the area.

On Howard Rosenfeld's No Talking Heads radio show on KAOS a few weeks ago, Harry Levine said that the Co-op is continuing to plan to expand to a third location downtown -- just not in the old Safeway. Plans are just beginning, though. I think I remember he said at that point that they are still putting together an "expansion team."

The current (old City Hall) will be used for a municipal court complex including the courtroom and court services, municipal jail, victim's assistance, and probation services. Olympia Police (excluding the jail) will be in the new City Hall. The new City Hall will include: - City Council, City Clerk, Utility Billing, and City Administration (HR, Legal, Exec, Administrative Services)all of which are in the current City Hall building; - Olympia Police Department (which is now in half of City Hall and an annex building; - Community Planning & Development (which is now in the building across the street from City Hall); - Public Works administration and engineering (currently in a leased building on Legion Way and a leased building at Pear and Legion; - Public Works water resources (currently in the Smith Building) - City finance and IT divisions (currently in leased space on Legion) - Possibly parking services (currently in leased space in downtown Oly on Legion). Cathie Butler Communications Manager City of Olympia