THE BUSINESSES: Evergreen graduate helps build downtown:

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Progress Sunday, March 17, 2002 Joe Nicholson/The Olympian Mark Crammer (above), a carpenter for Sunrise Construction, cuts a piece of trim for the new Mercato restaurant in the new Market Centre. Gary Schneider (below) is the owner of Sunrise. Joe Nicholson/The Olympian THE BUSINESSES: Evergreen graduate helps build downtown MICHAEL BURNHAM THE OLYMPIAN OLYMPIA -- When Gary Schneider moved to Olympia in the early 1970s to attend The Evergreen State College, the 20th century seemed to be leaving downtown behind. Downtown's veteran anchor tenants such as Miller's Department Store, Goldberg's and J.C. Penney had moved out, and not much else had moved in. So why did this college grad who studied architectural design and urban planning want to stick around? "Downtown Olympia is sort of the cultural heart of Thurston County," said Schneider, president and owner of downtown's Sunrise Construction Co. "It's our version of urban life." He's played a big role in pumping life back into the county's heart, though he gives others credit. Throughout the past 20 years, a handful of developers has helped revitalize downtown. The businesses may sound familiar -- Orca Construction, The Rants Group, Deskoba Inc. They've embraced old buildings with new visions and filled downtown's vacant lots with new places for shopping, eating and entertainment. New development projects have had a trickle-down effect for Schneider and other general contractors. Sunrise Construction workers did light-commercial construction work in buildings such as the Washington Center for the Performing Arts, the old Hotel Olympian, the new Market Centre and the Hands On Children's Museum. "We're one business that is supported by a revitalized downtown," said Schneider, who has worked from a State Avenue office for almost 20 years. "My business is downtown because I want to be downtown. I would rather spend my time downtown rather than at a strip mall." Sandra Fugate, owner of downtown's Fugate Residential Design, shared an office space with Schneider for a decade. When Schneider wanted to move his business into an old car-repair garage at 309 State Avenue, Fugate designed the new office and Schneider constructed it. They're an example of the symbiotic relationship of small businesses that is downtown. Schneider has constructed many of Fugate's residential designs. He's also given a hand to a variety of other downtown organizations. Schneider is a member of the Olympia Downtown Association, Hands On Children's Museum board, Olympia Master Builders and the Olympia/Thurston Chamber of Commerce. "He's done a lot, and he does it in a very quiet way," said Olympia Downtown Association Coordinator Connie Lorenz, who added that Schneider is a familiar volunteer at downtown clean-up events. "He's a good example of the mix downtown offers." On the Web: The Evergreen State College The Rants Group Washington Center for the Performing Arts Hotel Olympian Market Centre Hand's On Children's Museum Olympia Master Builders Olympia/Thurston Chamber of Commerce The Olympian Copyright 2002 back to main Progress index

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