"Hawks Prairie, once covered by scrub trees and Scotch broom, is quickly emerging as a thriving economic center for Thurston County.

It started with the construction of Cabela's, a giant outdoors store, which will anchor the new Lacey Gateway retail center. South Puget Sound Community College officials have announced plans to build a satellite campus off Marvin Road, and the Nisqually tribe has purchased 40 acres that could be used for a convention center, a family entertainment business or more retail stores.

The tribe paid $17.2 million for 30 acres of commercial property, adding to the 9.6 acres of adjacent property purchased by the tribe for $6.8 million last month. The commercially zoned property is north of Interstate 5 and west of Marvin Road."

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Editorial: Tribe well-served by land purchase (The Olympian 5/20)