Olson is widely credited with spearheading the ongoing redevelopment and rebirth of downtown Des Moines during his tenure as the city's mayor.
[1] Olson also supported the construction and development of numerous city landmarks, including the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, Civic Center of Greater Des Moines, the renovation of the riverfront, and Cowles Commons (formerly known as Nollen Plaza).
[1] Olson successfully persuaded the city's political and business communities to support his redevelopment efforts, including developer and Iowa Realty founder, Bill Knapp.
[2] Olson worked as an agency manager at the Des Moines office of The Bankers Life, an insurance company now Principal Financial Group, for 30 years.
[1] In 1971, Olson was elected Mayor of Des Moines, defeating his opponent, public servant Peter Crivaro.
[1] Olson was returning to his Maine vacation home, after spending much of the day at a casino in Bangor,[6] when his Chevrolet Tahoe crossed the center line and struck an oncoming GMC pickup truck shortly before 6 p.m. on August 5.