Works In Progress - July 2003 - Brewery Closing Sparks Community Action

What do you do when the largest union wage employer decides to leave town, placing your community's water supply and your local economy at risk? Labor and Environmentalists agree: You get the community talking.

After 107 years of operation, the current owners of the Tumwater Brewery, South African Breweries/Miller announced they would close the plant on January 9, 2003. In following months, local Labor and environmental leaders and community members convened the Thurston Blue-Green Working Group to discuss what could be done to replace good jobs lost, ensure clean water, and promote socially and ecologically responsible development at the site.

With a resounding slogan "Its Our Water", the Blue-Green Group invited a broad cross-section of the local community to attend a Community Forum on June 25th, 2003 at the Friends Meeting Hall in Tumwater. Culminating several months of research and outreach, the forum was attended by 65 people, including Union members, environmentalists, business owners, concerned citizens and elected officials.

The City's Mayor Ralph Osgood, and members of the Blue-Green Group shared information on the site layout, water rights, job-creation potential, and on strategies and examples of community-based redevelopment. An engaging strategy session followed, generating a range of ideas on possible uses for the site, and next steps.

Bob Guenther, President of the Thurston-Lewis County Labor Council, emphasized that Thurston County needs Union jobs. Quality of life means good jobs with decent benefits, and a voice at work. "When workers can't meet their most basic needs, they don't have time to worry about the environment or get involved in community life. When workers suffer, the entire community suffers," Guenther explained.

Mayor Osgood, who opened the event, called the closure an opportunity to get parts of the property back into public ownership, including the historic Brewhouse and access to both sides of the Deschutes River. He sees trails and parks lining its banks, suggesting the idea of a green belt.

Jerry Murphy, a business owner and Tumwater Chamber of Commerce board member said new development should be "worthy of the River" suggesting future uses be environmentally sensitive, and keep the area "up-scale". Murphy was appointed to the Tumwater Council recently.

Paul Picket, an Ecology employee, PUD Commissioner, and activist with WFSE Local #443, gave a basic primer to water issues including both rights to the water coming in, and wastewater going out. The Brewery's nutrient-rich waste could be recycled to feed crops, instead of being released to the River, where it poses a threat to the salmon and drinking water.

Osgood said the 3 Cities are interested in the sites water rights but that Miller won't sell the rights seperately.

Don Trosper from the Tumwater Historical Society summed up the community's sentiment, saying he hopes the new owners have the heart and community spirit demonstrated by the Schmidt family.

Chris van Daalen, an Alliance for Sustainable Jobs and the Environment organizer, explained the first step in the process of community-driven redevelopment is getting people together to create a vision of development that will benefit the community's interests.

John Means, a former Union Carpenter and student of sustainable design, presented case studies of other communities that redeveloped old industrial sites into thriving economic assets, inspiring new community pride, including Lewiston, ME and Cape Charles, VA. Sustainable development, he said, values the community's needs while creating viable development. "It's development with our children in mind."

The brainstorming sessions in small groups engaged participants in creative thinking on ways to create good jobs, preserve water quality, save money with "green" building practices that take full advantage of existing resources, and bring the community's values to the table in all decisions made.

Ideas for site redevelopment included a mixed-use facility with a local focus, which the plant is already zoned for, such as arts spaces, cafes, featured local businesses and products, a conference center space, low-income housing. Parks and open spaces, and generating living-wage jobs were two strong themes. Shared use of the space by a number of local producers could be both cost-effective and mutually beneficial. In line with sustainable development principles, the group asked what products does the community use that could be produced locally. One is the alternative fuel Biodiesel, used in large quantity by Intercity Transit.

Participants said they want to push forward with their ideas. Strategies discussed included expanding the conversation to more community members, engaging local government, consulting with other communities who have recently undertaken these processes with their older industrial sites, forming a local non-profit coalition or development group, and pursuing a feasibility study.

With good turnout and participation, organizers deemed the Forum was a solid success. Now the work has to carried forward to keep the community process going. However, the group needs financial support to move plans forward and welcomes donations. With the backing of many community, Labor, environmental, local business, and elected leaders, there is hope the community will have a say in the future of the Tumwater Brewery.

If readers want to get involved, get more information, give a donation or receive a copy of the Forum report, please email ThurstonBlueGreen@hotmail.com or call 360.754.7287.