TACOMA Metro & So. Sound Activity - Page 2

mSeattle · #21 Posted **Dec 4, 2014, 3:35 AM**

November 19, 2014
Tacoma Art Museum opens new $16M wing
By JOURNAL STAFF
http://www.djc.com/news/co/12072046.html

Tacoma Art Museum's new wing is open, with four galleries that have doubled the size of TAM's exhibit space.

Museum officials said the $15.5 million expansion added 16,000 square feet.

The cafe was renovated, sheltered outdoor spaces were added and there is a new community art studio, space for a new store and an elevator that is bigger and faster.

The museum is at 1701 Pacific Ave.

Photo courtesy of Tacoma Art Museum [enlarge]

mSeattle · #22 Posted **Dec 4, 2014, 3:39 AM**

November 28, 2014
Amtrak station is planned for Freighthouse Square in Tacoma
By JOURNAL STAFF
http://www.djc.com/news/co/12072298.html

This would be an improvement from the current location/building.

mSeattle · #23 Posted **Feb 19, 2015, 9:20 PM**

Pierce County narrowly OKs $127M office deal with Wright Runstad
Feb 19, 2015, 7:13am PST
Marc Stiles
Staff Writer- Puget Sound Business Journal

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/m...deal-with.html

After years of planning, Pierce County is moving forward on the development of a large office building in Tacoma.

The County Council voted 4-3 Tuesday to OK construction of the 330,000-square project where approximately 1,300 people will work. Construction will start next month and is scheduled to wrap up in the fall of 2016.

Seattle real estate company Wright Runstad will manage develop of the project on the county-owned site where the Puget Sound Hospital operated before closing years ago. The property is at 3580 Pacific Ave., on the south side of Interstate 5 between Lincoln High School and Stanley & Seafort's restaurant.

The development will allow the county to bring together 19 departments and divisions now scattered across 14 locations. As a result, the county will eliminate 38 jobs, saving $4 million a year. The county also will no longer lease 150,000 square feet of space from private property owners. Combined, this will save what Councilmember Rick Talbert said will be millions of dollars in leases and staffing and maintenance costs.

NBBJ

The Pierce County Council has approved a plan to develop a 330,000-square-foot office building in Tacoma. Construction is scheduled to start in March.

Vashon118 · #24 Posted **Apr 11, 2015, 9:28 PM**

Point Ruston area.

The parking garage that has the stop work order on it.

Point Ruston (15A, B and C) 2015-04-06 by planet_lb, on Flickr

Point Ruston (15A, B and C) 2015-04-06 by planet_lb, on Flickr

Century

Point Ruston (Century) 2015-04-06 by planet_lb, on Flickr

Point Ruston (Century) 2015-04-06 by planet_lb, on Flickr

Copperline

Point Ruston (Copperline) 2015-04-06 by planet_lb, on Flickr

Point Ruston (Copperline) 2015-04-06 by planet_lb, on Flickr

Stack Hill

Point Ruston (Stack Hill) 2015-04-06 by planet_lb, on Flickr

chris08876 · #25 Posted **Apr 29, 2015, 4:32 PM**

New documents show Tukwila Arena in works for months

Quote:

"On behalf of the City of Tukwila, I enthusiastically express our support for The Russell Group's vision to build a major regional entertainment center anchored by an NBA/NHL arena in the City of Tukwila. It will be my pleasure to help bring the NHL to the Seattle region.

Tukwila is all about location! Businesses continue to join our business-friendly city because of our proximity to Seattle and the convenient access to SeaTac Airport and the intersection of I-5 and I-405, which is the busiest intersection in Washington state. Our businesses also choose Tukwila to build on the synergy of retail, hospitality, and entertainment. In fact, Westfield Southcenter, located in Tukwila, is the largest mall in the Pacific Northwest.

The site chosen by the Russell Group is adjacent to the Sounder commuter rail station is an excellent spot due to its close proximity to retail, hotel, office, and entertainment. These mixed uses benefit not only from the commuter rail station, but also the frequent bus service, and walkability to Tukwila's Southcenter District. The site also has excellent visibility to I-5 and I-405 with easy access to SR-181, SR-167, and many other roads.

The Russell Group's plan fits well with Tukwila's vision for our Southcenter District, which is one of the Puget Sound's designated urban centers. Urban centers are intended to provide a mix of housing, employment, commercial, and cultural amenities in a compact form and to become a focal point of vibrant city life and activity, as well as a strategic location for accommodating a significant share of future population and employment growth. The arena and entertainment center development will serve as an excellent anchor for Tukwila's urban center. This year, in a 7-0 vote, our City Council approved a plan for the Southcenter District that includes a "special opportunity district" around the commuter rail station to facilitate development at greater intensities and uses, such as what is contemplated by The Russell Group. In addition, they subsequently approved selling a parcel of City land to The Russell Group's partner in another 7-0 vote. "

Sketches of the proposed arena.

=================================
http://www.king5.com/story/news/loca...dump/26548639/

mhays · #26 Posted **Apr 29, 2015, 6:53 PM**

This is near the Seattle city limits, and is probably 25 miles from Tacoma.

mSeattle · #27 Posted **Nov 22, 2015, 1:51 AM**

Finally!

November 17, 2015
McMenamins to start Tacoma Elks Lodge in 2016
By JOURNAL STAFF

Fresh off the successful opening of Anderson School in Bothell, McMenamins is diving into its next local project: rehabbing the 99-year-old Tacoma Elks Lodge.

McMenamins said it wants to start work next spring on the 1916 property at 565 Broadway. The company said in a press release that it has obtained permits for the renovation and is on track to open the lodge by summer 2017.

More: http://www.djc.com/news/ae/12083722.html

Some pics I snapped a number of years ago:

PB100907_800 by Marcus, on Flickr

_B100936_800 by Marcus, on Flickr

_B100932_800 by Marcus, on Flickr

_B100921_800 by Marcus, on Flickr

_B100926_800 by Marcus, on Flickr

PB100904_800 by Marcus, on Flickr

seaskyfan · #28 Posted **Nov 22, 2015, 2:01 AM**

^ Fantastic news. That will be a great addition to Downtown Tacoma.

mSeattle · #29 Posted **Nov 23, 2015, 10:09 PM**

^It definitely needs and deserves love. Will be key (along with redeveloped Old City Hall) to connecting downtown and the north end.

mSeattle · #30 Posted **Nov 23, 2015, 10:21 PM**

Sound Transit maps out big Tacoma light-rail expansion
Nov 20, 2015, 6:55am PST

Marc Stiles Staff Writer Puget Sound Business Journal
http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/m...ight-rail.html

Sound Transit plans to begin building a 2.4-mile light rail extension in Tacoma in 2018, if the agency secures the necessary funding for the project. The preliminary cost estimate is $175 million.

On Thursday, the Sound Transit Board chose the route. The expansion will go from the current stop by the Pantages Theater downtown to the Hilltop neighborhood by way of the Stadium District. Six new stations are planned for the system, with trains primarily running the streets along Stadium Way, North First Street, Division Avenue and Martin Luther King Jr., Way.

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/m...ight-rail.html

mSeattle · #31 Posted **Nov 24, 2015, 12:59 AM**

From SSC

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ruffhauser

From todays DJC.

http://www.djc.com/news/re/12083403.html

November 6, 2015

Chinese developer proposes $135M mixed-use complex near UW Tacoma
By JOURNAL STAFF

A Chinese firm is working on a $135 million mixed-use project near the University of Washington Tacoma campus.

The city of Tacoma signed a development agreement in August with an entity related to Wuhan Boshengshiji Real Estate Development for a 6.4-acre site bounded by South 21st and 23rd streets, and Jefferson and Tacoma avenues.

The agreement says the developer will acquire the site and build a minimum of 360 housing units, 200,000 square feet of retail, 90,000 square feet of office space and 480 underground parking spaces. The deal allows the developer to build more if it is feasible.

The sale price for the land is $3.5 million.

The project is expected to be built in two phases, with the first beginning in August 2016, said Martha Anderson, assistant director of Tacoma's Community and Economic Development Department.

BCRA and Absher Construction Co. are working on the project.

Xunkun Luo is CEO of Wuhan Boshengshiji Real Estate Development. In its proposal to the city, the company said it has developed more than 7.5 million square feet.

The developer has 120 days after the agreement was signed in August to evaluate the site and decide whether to move forward. That deadline will come in December, but Anderson said the developer has an option to extend the deadline for another 30 days.

The agreement said the developer has made a $700,000 refundable deposit and will make a $175,000 non-refundable deposit after the feasibility study is complete.

Before the deal can close, the developer must show detailed plans and proof of financing. The agreement says about 30 percent of the project will be financed with funds raised through the federal EB-5 program.

Wuhan Boshengshiji isn't the only Chinese firm showing interest in Tacoma. Yareton Investment and Management, a local subsidiary of Shanghai Mintong Real Estate Co., is planning $150 million hotel and housing project next to the Greater Tacoma Convention and Trade Center. Construction on the 300-room hotel is expected to begin late next year. The second phase of about 200 housing units could start in 2018.

Ankrom Moisan Architects is designing that project, and Absher Construction is also working on the project.

mSeattle · #32 Posted **Nov 25, 2015, 6:21 PM**

More news. Hope this redevelopment can happen too.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JacobR

Tacoma receives 4 offers to reinvent Old City Hall

Four Puget Sound developers met an October deadline to propose a vision of Old City Hall’s future.

Now Tacoma officials will take a few weeks to evaluate the pitches: a boutique hotel, office spaces, a project by Portland developer McMenamins, and a high-end bar and antique gallery.

Boutique hotel
Grace Pleasants with Tacoma’s The Boulevard Group, proposes a renovation of the 122-year-old iconic building into a 110-room boutique hotel with a covered swimming pool. It would be operated by the Connecticut-based Starwood hotel chain, which has more than 1,200 properties worldwide. She has teed up Starwood’s Aloft by W for the space, a hotel that advertises affordable style and caters to a tech-savvy clientele that values music and artistic expression. “We have been looking for a site in Tacoma to put this brand — well over two years now.

Office project
Daniels Real Estate of Seattle has a track record of historic renovation projects, including Seattle’s Starbucks Center.

In its proposal to Tacoma, Daniels envisions offices on several floor of Old City Hall. But the developers need more information from the city about the building’s mechanical systems

McMenamins mystery
Earlier this year, Brian McMenamin told The News Tribune that the Portland company’s Elks project in downtown Tacoma could open in spring 2017. The Elks project will follow on the heels of McMenamins’ just-completed renovation of Bothell’s Anderson School.

McMenamins bought the former Elks Temple property in 2009, a stone’s throw from Old City Hall.
A McMenamins representative declined to share the company’s proposal for Old City Hall.

Ralph Lauren store and bar
A fourth offer has been presented by former state Sen. Larry Faulk of Steilacoom, who envisions Old City Hall as home to a Ralph Lauren polo bar and retail store and M.S. Rau Antiques gallery.

According to Faulk’s proposal, he plans to pay for it with money from the Ralph Lauren organization, a $5 million ask from the state capital budget, money from the grandchildren of the Mars candy fortune and 100 people from the Tacoma area who would each invest $100,000.

mSeattle · #33 Posted **Nov 30, 2015, 6:31 PM**

November 30, 2015
More apartments on Thea Foss Waterway
By JOURNAL STAFF
http://www.djc.com/news/re/12084032.html

Carino and Associates recently opened The Henry, its second housing project on Tacoma's Thea Foss Waterway.

The building at 1933 Dock St. has 161 apartments and 10,000 square feet of office and retail space. Apartments range from 553-square-foot studios to 1,138-square-foot units with two bedrooms and two baths. Most have waterway views from private balconies.

Tenants share a rooftop dog run and deck, fitness center, clubhouse, patio and parking garage. There also is a public waterfront patio and an esplanade.

More: http://www.djc.com/news/re/12084032.html

mhays · #34 Posted **Nov 30, 2015, 8:27 PM**

The Henry would be on the left-most site in this photo, just before the bridge. It's getting to be a nice little row, with Henry, a small historic residential conversion, the Museum of Glass, another residential, a potential development site (hotel that's delayed), and another residential. Maybe 600 units opened so far? I wish they'd start work on that last site!

http://www.aerolistphoto.com/large/W...wn/2013/0135/2

PS, Tacoma still looks like a Great Lakes post-industrial city with vacant areas, including the extremely steep hillside area shown here. That's mostly UW land...the campus is growing quickly but it'll take decades to fill all that. Meanwhile a lot of the non-UW hillside areas turned into townhouses in the last boom.

mSeattle · #35 Posted **Dec 1, 2015, 2:17 AM**

It will soon happen. The completed waterfront trail between downtown and Point Defiance Park/Point Ruston is a big deal. The only thing that could be a bigger boost in terms of attracting development would be to shut down the manufacturing/processing aspects of the Port or at least the aroma. The science/engineering community really has to fix that because it impacts the potential along the waterfront-south.

mSeattle · #36 Posted **Dec 2, 2015, 1:50 AM**

This just in... at SSC

Quote:

Originally Posted by JacobR

McMenamins Chosen to Develop Old City Hall

Late Monday the City of Tacoma announced McMenamins as its first choice to develop Tacoma's iconic Old City Hall. The Portland-based developer was one of four to submit a proposal when the City asked for ideas last month.

The City chose the McMenamins proposal, and over the next few weeks will work to negotiate agreements for the development and lease/purchase of the historic building at the northern end of Pacific Avenue - just across the street from the Elks Lodge, where McMenamins plans to begin renovation work in earnest in the next couple months.

The proposal is, of course, pretty broad-stroke at this point, but here's what we know so far:

A 60-room boutique hotel
4 small, "signature bars" showing off the historic jailhouse space, the clock tower (imagine the views!), and rooftop greenhouse
A rooftop restaurant (more views)
Soaking pools
Community/private meeting and event spaces
A gift shop

READ MORE: http://www.exit133.com/articles/view...-old-city-hall

mSeattle · #37 Posted **Feb 10, 2017, 10:37 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by blaserbrad

@ SSC

6th and Alder, construction starts in May
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/b...131881829.html

South of UWT, construction has started
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/b...122324779.html

6th & Alder

Koz (So. of UWT)

mSeattle · #38 Posted **Feb 15, 2017, 3:07 AM**

I like this building. Great move for the city and developer.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ruffhauser

From todays DJC.

http://www.djc.com/news/re/12096292.html

January 5, 2017

Unico pays $10M for Tacoma tower with plans to turn it into apartments

By BRIAN MILLER
Journal staff reporter

Unico Properties said it bought the 18-story Washington Building at 1019 Pacific Ave. in Tacoma and will convert it from office space to apartments.

Pierce County records show it sold for $9.8 million.

The seller was an LLC associated with George Webb and his Stratford Co. of Seattle. He and partners purchased the tower in 2005 for $9.6 million. Work should be done by the summer of 2018, but the number of apartments has not been determined.

Unico will work with Fish Mackay Architects to convert the 1925 Washington Building from office space to housing.

mSeattle · #39 Posted **Feb 24, 2017, 4:23 AM**

JacobR at SSC put together a map of proposed and under construction projects in the city: https://drive.google.com/open?id=15u...Mw&usp=sharing

Here are some that have renderings:

Under Construction

135 units - Napolian Apartments

172 units - Stadium Apartments

Proposed

Hilltop Lofts Tacoma Housing Authority

250 units - MLK Development

104 units - McCarver Heights

114 units - TRAX Tacoma Dome Station Apartments

139 units - Grand on Broadway

233 units - Elan Apartments

300 room - Convention Hotel

mSeattle · #40 Posted **Mar 15, 2017, 7:28 PM**

Some talk from Tacoma

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tacoma Untapped

Tacoma Untapped
January 21

We all remember the news of The Ram owner purchasing the Nisqually Power Station, at 25th & C St., from Chihuly last year for a new brewery. Looks like the brewery won't be happening, at least not for a while as the building has been leased to a Hong Kong based furniture company.

It appears the furniture company will be TREE ( http://tree.com.hk/ ). They have 3 stores in the Hong Kong and this looks like their first in the US and could open up more distribution to North America customers.

What are your thoughts? No Beer but a modern eco-friendly furniture store?