Urban Centers and Corridors

  1. Housing
  2. Housing Density
  3. Activity Density
  4. Assessed Value

Data Tables

Map

Explanation

Urban centers and corridors include the downtown cores of Lacey, Olympia, and Tumwater and the transit corridors that connect them. The importance of these areas was identified in both the Urban Corridors Task Force (2009 to 2012) and Sustainable Thurston (2013) planning efforts. The region has made substantial public and private investments in urban centers and corridors, including investments in new housing, transit service, street and intersection improvements, and civic spaces.

This page tracks four metrics related to urban corridors:

Housing

Over the past two decades the proportion of housing built in urban areas — and in urban centers and corridors specifically — has increased. Households living in urban centers and corridors have better access to goods and services without having to rely on a personal vehicle.

Housing Density

Housing densities within urban centers and corridors have increased dramatically over the past two decades. Increasing densities in these areas promotes vibrant urban spaces and reduces pressure to develop rural and resource lands.

Activity Density

Activity density measures the combined number of people living and working in an area. Activity densities in Thurston County are highest in urban centers and corridors and have been increasing.

Assessed Value

Assessed value is an estimate of the market value of land and buildings for taxation purposes. Urban centers and corridors have the highest per-acre assessments of properties in Thurston County, making them important sources of tax revenue. Assessed value is also a measure of investment. As new buildings are constructed or existing ones redeveloped, their assessed value increases.

Sustainable Thurston Report Card

The Sustainable Thurston Report Card tracks how well the Thurston region is doing at creating vibrant urban centers. The report card includes goals and targets for urban centers and corridors.

Source

Thurston Regional Planning Council (TRPC); Thurston County Assessor’s Office