BIA Blog

Transportation Forum a Huge Success!!

2009-11-19T16:17:00.000-08:00

Last Friday's transportation forum, titled "Transportation in Tacoma for the 21st Century", included the insights of Tacoma's and the Puget Sound Region's top decision makers in transportation - Eric Anderson, City Manager of Tacoma; Lynne Griffith, CEO of Pierce Transit; Ric Ilgenfritz, Executive Director of Planning for Sound Transit; and David Hiller, Advocacy Director for the Cascade Bicycle Club - gleaned through a rigorous 1.5 hour question-and-answer session.

Over sixty people packed the Simpson Room of the Tacoma Chamber, a co-host of the event, to hear the thoughts of these transportation leaders. Topics such as the future of the Tacoma streetcar system, the Pierce Transit redesign process, collaboration and integration with Olympia and Intercity Transit, and more were covered as the audience peppered the speakers with thoughtful and passionate questions.

Perhaps the key question of the event, and the one that wrapped it up, came from Ben Ferguson of BLRB architects. Ben questioned the speakers on the establishment and communication of a broader vision beyond that of each individual organization represented. When the speakers answered his question with more emphasis of their own organizations' visions as well as a mention of the Puget Sound Regional Council's Transportation 2040 (which is meant to be a vision for the region), Ben pushed back again, challenging the leaders to "inspire us" with a vision into which we all can buy.

As is often the case, the "heart" of an event's topic is gotten at not through the leaders/experts invited to speak, but by an audience member willing to speak up.

Because of the success of this and the October forums, Transportation Choices Coalition along with its regular co-hosts the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce and the City of Tacoma will continue to host Friday forums in 2010, hoping to facilitate a discussion about transportation topics that are inspiring. Further dates and topics will be announced on this blog and on Transportation Choices Coalition's website.

We hope that you'll continue to join us in bringing transportation to the forefront of public discussion!

Transportation in Tacoma for the 21st Century

2009-11-12T10:03:00.000-08:00

You're Invited to a Brown Bag Lunch & Interactive Discussion

on Friday, November 13th at 12:00pm

As we plan for the future of our transportation system, Tacoma and the South Sound face many tough decisions. How do parking policies affect the city’s goal to activate the streets with people and commerce? How do we extend the Tacoma Streetcar system? How do we reshape Pierce Transit’s bus system? How does the City best connect regionally? How can we plan for a multimodal future?

To get at these answers and more, The Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber, the City of Tacoma, Transportation Choices Coalition, Cross District Association, Tacoma Wheelmen, and others will host a brown bag lunch and interactive discussion with Tacoma’s transportation policy-makers, including:
Eric Anderson, City Manager, City of Tacoma
Lynne Griffith, CEO, Pierce Transit
Ric Ilgenfritz, Planning Director, Sound Transit
David Hiller, Advocacy Director, Cascade Bicycle Club

Open to all—bring your lunch and your questions!

Event Details:

Friday, Nov. 13th, 2009 12:00pm Simpson Room Tacoma Chamber 950 Pacific Ave.

RSVP… andrew@transportationchoices.org

Downtown Officers to Rotate in January

2009-11-06T14:38:00.000-08:00

Downtown Tacoma has been fortunate to have Jim Pincham and Marty Price as our downtown officers for the past eight years. Two years ago the BIA successful advocated to delay Marty and Jim’s six-year career rotation and the officers remained in downtown for an additional two years. Unfortunately, we’ve been notified by the Tacoma Police Department (TPD) that their time is up and downtown will get two new officers starting January. Jim and Marty have been true assets to the downtown community. During their tenure downtown has experienced a dramatic decrease in crime, a trend we hope to continue with their replacements.

Thank you, Marty and Jim for your service to downtown. We hope that your new assignments will keep you in the neighborhood!

The people are not the only thing that will change in this reassignment process. The new officers (yet to be named) will patrol downtown on bikes and work the swing shift from the afternoon into the night. Jim and Marty worked the day shift. This change was sparked by a recent analysis that indicated calls for police service in downtown are highest between 5pm and 11pm.

Additionally, two Community Liaison Officers (CLOs) will be assigned to downtown. Officer Wayne Beales and Officer Scott Newbold will cover downtown from 5am to 5pm. Between the new schedule for the downtown officers and the newly assigned CLOs, there will be more dedicated police coverage for downtown than we’ve had in years!

White Lights Make Downtown Bright for the Holidays

2009-11-06T13:39:00.000-08:00

Shorter and rainier days are a sure sign that the winter holidays are upon us. In an effort to create a festive atmosphere downtown this year, the BIA is encouraging businesses, property owners and managers to decorate their buildings and store fronts with white lights this holiday season. Lights are available from many outlets, here are two used in downtown in the past:

Silent Lights, Contact: Ben Norbe, (253) 732-9919

DiJulio Displays, Contact: Rita, 1(800) 321-9627, www.dijuliodisplays.com

The holiday stars that adore downtown light posts throughout the season will go up November 18-20. The star decorations are provided through collaboration between the BIA and the Downtown Merchants Group. We will need volunteers on the morning of November 18th to help replace burnt out bulbs. Please contact Jim Burgess, BIA Maintenance Supervisor if you are interested in volunteering, (253) 682-1731.

Happy Holidays!

Friday Forum: Transportation in Tacoma for the 21st Century

2009-11-03T15:07:00.000-08:00

You're Invited to a Brown Bag Lunch & Interactive Discussion on Friday, November 13th at 12:00pm

As we plan for the future of our transportation system, Tacoma and the South Sound face many tough decisions.

How do parking policies affect the city’s goal to activate the streets with people and commerce? How do we extend the Tacoma Streetcar system? How do we reshape Pierce Transit’s bus system? How does the City best connect regionally? How can we plan for a multimodal future?

To get at these answers and more, The Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber, the City of Tacoma, Transportation Choices Coalition, Cross District Association, Tacoma Wheelmen, and others will host a brown bag lunch and interactive discussion with Tacoma’s transportation policy-makers, including:

Eric Anderson, City Manager, City of Tacoma
Lynn Griffith, CEO, Pierce Transit
Ric Ilgenfritz, Planning Director, Sound Transit
David Hiller, Advocacy Director, Cascade Bicycle Club

Open to all—bring your lunch and your questions!

Event Details:
Friday, Nov. 13th, 2009
12:00pm
Simpson Room
Tacoma Chamber
950 Pacific Ave.

RSVP… mailto:mandrew@transportationchoices.org

City Council Endorses Parking Meters for Downtown

2009-10-28T10:02:00.000-07:00

Last night the City Council unanimously passed an ordinance endorsing parking pay stations in downtown Tacoma. Pay stations are one piece of a parking strategy that strives to encourage long-term parkers (i.e. downtown workers and students) to park in garages and lots and leave the on-street stalls to shoppers, restaurant goers and business clients.

The ordinance dictates that
1. Parking rates will be market driven with the goal of achieving 15% on-street parking stall vacancy and start at $0.75 an hour.
2. All revenue from the pay stations will go into a Parking Enterprise Fund to be used for parking-related expenses.
3. A citizens taskforce will be established to oversee the functionality of the on-street parking system.

The pay stations will be similar to those in Seattle or Portland, in which the parker purchases a window sticker with a time stamp and can take their paid time with them throughout the metered area of downtown. The boundaries of the initial metered area are roughly the boundaries of the BIA, all streets between S. 7th and S. 21st, “A” Street and Market St.

The parking pay stations will be rolled out this spring in conjunction with an extensive public outreach process to educate the public about use of the pay stations as well as alternative transportation choices for drivers unable or unwilling to pay and for downtown users looking for an alternative to driving their cars.

The specific details of the system (length of stay, when and how rates are adjusted, etc) will be decided by the citizens committee, which reports regularly to the City Manager and annually to the Environment and Public Works Committee of the City Council. This ordinance was the outcome of more than 18 months worth of public input from a diverse group of downtown and neighborhood stakeholders.

Conversation Re: Tacoma Lecture Inspires Tacomans

2009-10-23T14:19:00.000-07:00

At the New Frontier Lounge yesterday evening, Tacomans gathered for Part II of the three part lecture series Conversations Re: Tacoma. A crowd of 60+ listened intently to guest speakers Eric O. Jacobsen and Jim Diers, each offering his insight on the much needed change in town and neighborhood planning.

For his part, Mr. Jacobsen focused much on the history of why cities and towns are planned in a way that promotes disengagement and demotes town fabric. Mr. Diers offered his thoughts on bottom-up neighborhood planning, sharing examples of neighborhoods both near and far that have achieved the extraordinary through community activitism.

The only question that remained - "Will Tacoma do what it takes to enhance and improve "town fabric", and will its citizens lead the way in doing so?"

Interested in attending Part III of the lecture series? The event, which will focus on the new Urban Waters Building, will take place on November 12th at 6:30pm in the Carwein Auditorium of UWT's Keystone Building. Tickets can be purchased and more information found by clicking here.

Pierce Transit System Redesign ~ Downtown Community Workshop this Monday!

2009-10-21T15:05:00.000-07:00

When... Monday, October 26th, 7:00-8:30pm

Where... Evergreen State College, 1210 6th Ave, Tacoma 98405

Why... Despite the increasing numbers of transit riders, Pierce Transit is facing its biggest budget challenges yet. With sales tax dollars bringing in 73% of PT’s revenue (fares bring in 14% and grants 10%), and these dollars plummeting since 2007, PT predicts a 2009 budget deficit of more than $10 million!

Because of this alarming number, PT has taken steps to cut expenditures - instituting hiring freezes, decreasing capital projects, and reducing service in July 2009 by 5%. But clearly, with a predicted budget shortfall of $10 million, they will need to do more and cut more.

Many of these changes and cuts may come to downtown Tacoma.

Whether are a transit user or not, voice your opinion! Although you can attend any one of the 8 community workshops (3 in Tacoma) offered throughout Pierce County in October and November, the Downtown workshop is your best option for expressing your thoughts on transit in the downtown core. Check out the workshops, RSVP (not required but preferred), and read more about PTtomorrow at PTtomorrow.org.

2009-10-19T10:11:00.000-07:00

Love Tacoma is hosting a double feature for our October event! Join us on October 20th for dinner at Minoela followed by a movie at The Grand Cinema, for movies and times go to http://www.grandcinema.com/.

What: Love Tacoma @ Minoela & the Grand Cinema

When: Tuesday, October 20th at 5:30PM-7:30PM

Where: 604 Fawcett Ave Tacoma, WA 98402

Pronounced “min-oh-la”, the restaurant is a wine bistro with a comfortable café feel. They feature fresh local produce and organic options as well. Raffle prizes will include discounts and free meals from the restaurant. There will also be a special $5 glass of wine. Love Tacoma does not charge a membership fee and our socials are open to everyone. Come Love Tacoma with us!

Explore. Play. Repeat.

Love Tacoma is an informal monthly gathering of individuals who love Tacoma and enjoy exploring the city’s urban hotspots. It’s a great way to meet new friends and celebrate the places, people and activities that make Tacoma great. From casual happy hours to sophisticated wine tastings to next week's most anticipated show, you'll be able to meet and mingle with amazing people in Tacoma's urban community.

For more information, check out our website at http://lovetacoma.com

Tacoma Bike-In this Saturday!

2009-10-14T15:21:00.000-07:00

This Saturday, October 17th, the Cascade Bike Club and the Tacoma Wheelmen will host a Tacoma Bike-In. The event will include a workshop on cycling advocacy, a bike tour of Tacoma, and of course, a post-event social.

The hosts will discuss how bicyclists can use their clout to demand better facilities and just laws for bicyclists. Also, they will announce the outcome of the bicycle and pedestrian count, and how the data collected is crucial to bicyclist safety.

Together, the group will strategize on making a difference in Tacoma and working together for better state laws and federal funding of bike trails and other facilities.

To RSVP with the Cascade Bicycle Club, click here.

Event Information
10am - 1pm:
Workshop at the Tacoma Main Library, 1102 Tacoma Ave S

1pm - 3pm:
Bike tour of Tacoma with bicycle planners and special guests (stay tuned for details!)

3pm - evening:
Meet at the Harmon HUB for drinks

Changes to licensing requirements for entertainment venues on the way

2009-10-08T08:16:00.000-07:00

The PROACTIVE Business Licensing Team (City of Tacoma Safe & Clean Team) is hosting a public meeting on Thursday October 8th, 2009 at Tacoma Municipal Building North, Room 16 from 5:30pm to 7:00pm.

This meeting is a follow up to the community engagement meeting held in February in which the City, restaurant and bar owners and other community stakeholders brainstormed ideas on night club licensing and the myriad of issues that arise in and near these businesses. The PROACTIVE team wants to go over recommended changes to the Tacoma Municipal Code (Chapter 6B.70; Entertainment & Dancing-Alcohol Served).

Friday's City Center Luncheon to feature Dome and Brewery Districts Plans

2009-10-05T11:56:00.000-07:00

Reserve your seat now for this Friday's City Center Luncheon
hosted by the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber

When: Friday, October 9th 11:30 (registration) 12:00 to 1:30 (program)
Where: Pacific Grill Event Center (1530 Pacific Ave., Tacoma), validated parking at the Convention Center is available

The theme of this fall’s luncheon is “Celebrating Downtown Life”. There are many plans being made and programs offered that make downtown’s future bright. Join us to celebrate all that downtown Tacoma has to offer now and in the coming year.

Presentations include:

The Visions for downtown’s Dome & Brewery Districts
The City of Tacoma is making plans for the future. The City of Tacoma and community stakeholders in two of downtown’s up and coming neighborhoods, are envisioning the future of retail, housing, transportation and urban open space development. Planning Director, Peter Huffman will discuss the exciting visions for these unique neighborhoods.

Downtown Parking Pay Stations – They’re Coming
For the past year and a half a diverse group of downtown stakeholders have worked with the City of Tacoma to develop recommendations for implementing paid on-street parking. The primary goal of the stakeholders is set on-street parking prices that insure 155 parking spot vacancy so that shoppers and visitor to downtown can always find a parking spot near by their destination. City Manager Eric Anderson will discuss other guiding principles of the stakeholder group, roll out timeline and cost.

The Grand Cinema’s New 4th Theater
The Grand is growing! The non-profit Grand Cinema is excited to announce that they are adding a fourth screen to their existing three screen cinema. Construction began in September and is scheduled to be complete sometime prior to Christmas of this year. Once complete, the Grand will be able to bring more quality, first-run, art-house films to Tacoma that in most cases would never have played anywhere else in Pierce County.

First Night 2010
First Night is Tacoma and Pierce County's New Year's Eve festival; a family-friendly, alcohol-free, and most of all fabulously FUN celebration. The celebration grows and changes every year. Join us to learn what’s in store for 2010.

And…Introducing Shunpike
Shunpike a Seattle-based arts service organization now works from their Tacoma satellite office at Suite133 to strengthen Tacoma arts groups with its back-office support and financial services. Shunpike partners with small and mid-size arts groups to develop, train and implement best practices. Since 2001, the organization has been successfully supporting artists with their live performance, film, literary arts, visual arts and arts education programs.

To reserve your seat register on line today at www.tacomachamber.org or contact Cathy at the Chamber, cathyt@tacomachamber.org, 253.627.2175

Price:
$20 Chamber Ambassadors prepaid
$25 Chamber Members prepaid
$30 Members at the door
$35 Non-members prepaid or at the door

October is Crime Prevention Month

2009-10-01T10:43:00.000-07:00

Take part in Crime Prevention Month The City is joining with the National Crime Prevention Council to observe Crime Prevention Month during October.Crime prevention and safety takes a community to be successful; it is being aware that a crime can occur, anticipating how, when, where and who might be the victim, and taking action to reduce the chances of it happening. Crime prevention is using instinct, common sense and action to eliminate or greatly reduce the criminal’s opportunity.

The Tacoma City Council and staff are working hard to make Tacoma safe, clean and attractive, and your contributions to the effort will make the difference.
You can get started now by:

Removing opportunities for criminals to steal your car by locking it up and/or parking in your garage.

Check the locks on your home’s doors and windows to make sure they’re in good working order, and fasten them securely when you leave home, every time.

Together we can have safer and cleaner neighborhoods. Read more about the City’s Safe and Clean effort and find out how to get involved at www.cityoftacoma.org/safeandclean or by calling (253) 591-5130. For more information about National Crime Prevention Month, visit http://www.ncpc.org.

Transportation Forum This Thursday!

2009-09-28T15:06:00.000-07:00

On Thursday, October 1st please join The Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber, Transportation Choices Coalition, and other co-sponsoring organizations for a citywide Candidates’ Transportation Forum.

Because our transportation and land use policies have dramatic impacts on economic development, air quality, greenhouse gas emissions, community health, and quality of life, these topics pose some of the greatest challenges facing Tacoma’s City Council. At this forum, candidates will respond to questions about the future of Tacoma’s transportation system (transit, bikeways, roads, parking, etc.) and related land-use implications.

The forum is open to the public. Transportation related questions for the candidates can be submitted prior to the event to juliap@tacomachamber.org.

EVENT INFORMATION ~
When: Thursday, Oct 1st, 6:30-8:30pm
Where: Carwein Auditorium, Keystone Building - UWT

Please note: This forum is intended for the education of the public on candidates’ views on transportation and land use issues. It is not meant to endorse or support particular candidates. Invitations were extended to all candidates for Tacoma City Council and Mayor of Tacoma.

City Center Luncheon Celebrates Life Downtown- Oct. 9th

2009-09-24T10:28:00.000-07:00

It’s time again for the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber’s quarterly City Center Luncheon.

When: Friday, October 9th 11:30 (registration) 12:00 to 1:30 (program)

Where: Pacific Grill Event Center (1530 Pacific Ave., Tacoma), validated parking at the Convention Center is available

The theme of this fall’s luncheon is “Celebrating Downtown Life”. There are many plans being made and programs offered that make downtown’s future bright. Join us to celebrate all that downtown Tacoma has to offer now and in the coming year.

Presentations include:

- Development plans for downtown’s Dome & Brewery Districts

- An update on downtown parking pay stations by City Manager Eric Anderson

- News on the Grand Cinema’s new 4th Theater

- And…Introducing Shunpike, an arts service organization helping Tacoma’s artists become entrepreneurs

To reserve your seat register on line today at www.tacomachamber.org or contact Cathy at the Chamber, cathyt@tacomachamber.org, 253.627.2175

Price:
$20 Chamber Ambassadors prepaid
$25 Chamber Members prepaid
$30 Members at the door
$35 Non-members prepaid or at the door

Luzon to be Demolished Saturday

2009-09-22T13:49:00.001-07:00

City Manager Eric Anderson announced at this afternoon’s City Council Study Session that the historic Luzon Building will be torn down this Saturday. According to the building official, the structure is in eminent danger of collapse and must be taken down immediately to protect the public. According to the City Manager, “there is no hope [for the Luzon]”.

This conclusion is the final determination in a series of last ditch efforts to save the Luzon from demolition. Years of neglect on the part of multiple owners, including Pierce County left the building in a state of disrepair. Yesterday the structure was enclosed with a 6-foot fence after the Tacoma Police and Fire Departments insured the building was empty.

The Luzon is one of the first buildings on the West Coast built by Chicago architects, Burnham and Root to employ an internal steel structure, later used in the engineering of skyscrapers. An effort will be made to preserve the steel structure and the unique patina brick on the exterior of the building.

Mobility Master Plan Community Workshops this Week!

2009-09-22T09:54:00.001-07:00

Join the City of Tacoma in identfying existing conditions and opportunities to improve Tacoma's bicycling and walking environments, as well as connections to transit. Three community workshops will be held this week and early next week, and Tacoma citizens are invited! Attend and voice your insights and opinions on vital transportation corridors, connectivity gaps, and Tacoma's general mobility direction. Check out the info on the city's website: http://www.cityoftacoma.org/Page.aspx?hid=12894

Mobility Plan Community Workshop Dates:
Wednesday, Sept. 23 - South Park Community Center
Address: 4851 S Tacoma Way Tacoma, WA 98409
Website: http://www.metroparkstacoma.org/page.php?id=47

Thursday, Sept. 24 - Norpoint Centre
Address: 4818 Nassau Ave NE Tacoma, WA 98422
Website: http://www.metroparkstacoma.org/page.php?id=45

Monday, Sept. 28 - University of Puget Sound, Rasmussen Rotunda in Wheelock Student Center
Address: 1500 N. Warner, Tacoma, WA 98416
Website: www.pugetsound.edu

PARK(ing) Day a Success!

2009-09-22T09:14:00.000-07:00

On Friday, September 18th, Transportation Choices Coalition, Cascade Land Conservancy, and others hosted a "park" spot for PARK(ing) Day - a day when parking spots are recognized as public spaces. This global day is all about demonstrating the value of the space given up for autos by dramatically transfering parking spots into temporary parks.

For Tacoma's first year of participation, we were amazed at the success of both creating our "park" and beginning a conversation on what it is we were doing and why we were doing it. In our passing conversations with pedestrians, bicyclists, and even motorists waiting at the stoplight in front of the UWT Bookstore, we many times saw quizzical looks turn into "aha" moments when the message clicked. While the host organizations involved in no way think that those two spots in front of UWT or the one in front of Buzzards are an ideal location for a "park", we did enjoy imagining if only for a day the use of streets and parking spots for uses other than cars.

For more information on PARK(ing) Day, check out http://www.parkingday.org/.
For images of Tacoma's PARK(ing) Day, view the pictures below.

Creating Something Out of an Abandoned Brewery District- IDA Conference Part 2

2009-09-16T08:24:00.000-07:00

I had the opportunity to tour the long-vacant former Pabst Brewery today. As a loyal PBR drinker the opportunity made me nostalgic for my college days, but it also peaked my professional interest as a planner ruminating over what to do about our own long-vacant Heidelberg Brewery.

There are many similarities between the two development opportunities and I only hope that the City of Tacoma learns from Milwaukee’s near missteps and builds on the Brewery City’s successes.

The Pabst Brewery, which closed in 1996, sits on a 21-acre site adjacent to Interstate 43 and is minutes from downtown Milwaukee. The site includes 16 historic tax credit eligible buildings, 6 construction-ready parcels and two parking garages to be built by the Master Developer, Joseph Zilber, Chairman of Brewery Project LLC. Mr. Zilber, stepped forward to purchase the site after a previous entertainment-oriented redevelopment proposal fizzled. Through this project, Mr. Zilber envisions creating a new mixed use neighborhood rather than, as one of the project investors described the previous proposal, a passing retail fade.

The Brewery Project LLC is using historic tax credits and tax increment financing to rehabilitate the historic buildings, including the old boiler building, brewing laboratories and grain silo. The buildings will be renovated and sold to new owners looking to creating new retail, residential and offices uses on the site. Already the property houses the Blue Ribbon Loft Apartments and a development firm. Seventy-percent of the residential units are affordable to low income tenants and intended as live/work artists lofts. The University of Wisconsin has expressed interest in relocating and expanding their Public Health program in the old beer bottling building that was made famous in the opening scenes of the TV series Lavern and Shirley.

Highlighting environmental sustainability is an essential component of the project, which boasts an on-sight storm water management system and 90% construction waste recycling. The project is also reconnects long-vacated streets to the grid and incorporates porous street pavement to minimize water run off. For their efforts, the developers are being rewarded as contenders for LEED Platinum Certification upon project completion.

As an outsider to this massive project it looks to me like the developers and the City of Milwaukee are doing everything right. This is an exciting and inspirational project. The proximity of Tacoma’s own Brewery District to our downtown and the district’s historic buildings pose an equally exciting prospect, but we must learn from the Brewery City and NOT COMPROMISE. Tacoma is deserving of the best designed buildings that pay homage to our culture and history. We must not settle for the newest best offer that comes our way, but instead demand quality design and uses that compliment our community.

Retail Recruiting- IDA Conference Part 1

2009-09-13T20:30:00.000-07:00

I am in Milwaukee, Wisconsin this week at the International Downtown Association Conference. The conference, hosted each year by a different city U.S. or Canadian city provides lectures and conversations on downtown retail development, safety and security, creating great public spaces, parking management and urban design. I’ll be reporting over the next couple days on what I learn.

It’s comforting to know that when it comes to downtown retail, Tacoma is not alone. Milwaukee, a city of nearly 600,000 people has blocks of vacant store fronts and towers of vacant office space just like us. However, Milwaukee is taking bold steps to combat their downtown vacancy rate and rejuvenate their street life. In addition to a city branding campaign and functional wayfinding system, Milwaukee has hired retail consultants, CivicVisions not to just revitalize downtown retail, but to transform downtown through strategic retail recruitment.

We all know that amenities attract people, but it’s attracting the right mix of amenities to downtown that’s tricky. To do this, Milwaukee’s consultant CivicVisions suggests:

· There is not quick fix to retail recruitment. A downtown retail strategy is a long-term plan that is implemented over three to five years or more.

· Define a distinct geographic area of downtown to attract retail to. Do not try to attract new retail everywhere at once.

· Hire a trained retail recruiter who is familiar with our community and committed to it, has plenty of retail and merchandising experience, and is good at both building relationships and selling the community’s vision.

· Identify the type and quality of businesses you want and be discerning about the ones you go after. Businesses attract other like-businesses, but the wrong business can inhibit recruitment of the ones you want.

· Property owners must be part of the solution and help to develop a strategy that incentivizes the right mix of retail services and amenities.

· Façade updates that modernize buildings and improve merchandise displays will likely need to be part of the strategy.

This makes sense to me. Maybe it’s time for Tacoma to try out a retail recruiter again…

Russell Leaves…What’s the Next Step for Tacoma?

2009-09-10T12:45:00.000-07:00

While news of losing the Frank Russell Company may initially feel like a punch in the gut that knocks the wind out of us all, once we regain our collective breath we realize that now is the opportunity to define our City and our direction for the future. There is much to be excited about.

Last night amid the clack of pool balls at a well know local watering hole a group of Tacoma’s notorious urban schemers met to discuss the future of Tacoma in a post-Russell world. The clear tone among the group was that what we all love about Tacoma does not exist thanks to one employer. We choose to live and work in Tacoma because of the people, the activities and the opportunities to collectively create a place that reflects the interests, ideas and passions of the people who live here.

So I ask, what do you want, citizens Tacoma? What is your vision for our community?

Do you want to create a vibrant urban center filled with arts, music, parks, and bikes and streetcars? If so, how do we get there? What should we prioritize in our urban centers parking or people? Culturally, what do we need as community members to fulfill our hearts and minds? What can we do to better promote the arts and support our homegrown artist? How do we bring business to Tacoma and fill our downtown with bustling shops and great places to work? How do we tell people about what we’ve got? What must we do to highlight our great neighborhoods and vibrant downtown to small businesses, new employers, and potential residents? All of these questions need answers, the best of which come from you, citizens of Tacoma.

This is an exciting time for Tacoma, a time to define where we go next. There are innumerable opportunities to influence the shape, look and feel of our community. Here are a handful of opportunities, events and ways to get involved. I know there are others and I encourage you to get involved and help shape Tacoma’s future.

Brewery District Plan

Mobility Master Plan

Downtown Parking Meters

Clean and Safe Teams and initiatives

Pierce Transit System Redesign

PSRC’s Transportation 2040 plan

Go Local Tacoma

City of Tacoma Neighborhood Councils

The Arts

Candidates’ Transportation Forum This Thursday!

2009-09-08T15:05:00.000-07:00

On Thursday, October 1st please join The Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber, Transportation Choices Coalition, and other co-sponsoring organizations for a citywide Candidates’ Transportation Forum.

Because our transportation and land use policies have dramatic impacts on economic development, air quality, greenhouse gas emissions, community health, and quality of life, these topics pose some of the greatest challenges facing Tacoma’s City Council. At this forum, candidates will respond to questions about the future of Tacoma’s transportation system (transit, bikeways, roads, parking, etc.) and related land-use implications.
The forum is open to the public, and transportation related questions for the candidates can be submitted prior to the event to juliap@tacomachamber.org.

EVENT INFORMATION ~
When: Thursday, Oct 1st, 6:30-8:30pm
Where: Carwein Auditorium, UWT

Please note ~
This forum is intended for the education of the public on candidates’ views on transportation and land use issues. It is not meant to endorse or support particular candidates. Invitations were extended to all candidates for Tacoma City Council and Mayor of Tacoma.

Paid On-Street Parking...It's Coming...Really

2009-09-02T12:12:00.000-07:00

Parking pay stations are coming to the streets of downtown Tacoma. According to City Manager Eric Anderson, expect to see the meters on street this spring.

This announcement is the culmination of nearly a decade of conversations and debates about paid on-street parking. Throughout the years conversations have centered around the tedious balance between charging for parking without deterring customers and having available on-street parking spots for customers and clients.

Most recently the Parking Implementation Committee, comprised of stakeholders from throughout the City’s business districts and downtown worked with consultants to devise a strategy to implement paid-on street parking.

With current demand for downtown on-street parking out pacing supply, the turning point in the conversation was acceptance of a widely held transportation theory that parking pricing should be market based and set at a price point that supports 15% parking spot vacancy. The theory in practice is intended to insure that, while you might not be able to find a spot in front of your favorite business, with 15% vacancy you’ll likely be able to find and pay for one down the street.

How it will work
If approved by the City Council the first phase of parking meters we be rolled out in roughly the BIA boundaries, between S. 7th and S. 21st and between I-705 and Market St.

The pay stations will be similar to Seattle’s where a user purchases a window sticker for and can take extra parking time with them for errands in other parts of the paid parking zone.

The City Manager is asking the Council to set the initial rate at 75 cents per hour with an understanding that this rate will adjust to facilitate 15% vacancy. All revenues generated from the pay stations will stay within the parking system, which supports parking-related investments.

A citizen’s advisory committee will be formed to advise the City on rate and policy changes as the public adjusts to the new system.

Timeline
September 15th: Pay station proposal reviewed y Committee of the Whole
September 22nd: Council Study Session will review proposed Ordinance
September 29th: First reading of Ordinance
October 6th: Second reading of Ordinance

If passed by Council an RFP for the pay stations will be issued in mid-October and the contract placed at the end of November.

The City Manager is planning a 3 to 4 month public outreach and education campaign in preparation for the pay stations to be installed by April.

What if I don’t want to pay for parking?
There are numerous resources to help downtown employers, employees, residents, customers, visitors, and students get out of their cars an into a bus, van/carpool on to a bike, walking or teleworking. The friendly people at Pierce Transit www.piercetrips.com and Downtown: On the Go! can help you with all your commuting needs. Even changing your commute just once a week will save you money.

Conversations RE: Tacoma brings urban planning to the masses

2009-09-02T11:47:00.000-07:00

The Southwest Chapter of the American Institute of Architecture and The Harris Architectural Trust are teaming up with other local organizations for the 1st annual lecture series, Conversation RE: Tacoma.

Through this three-part lecture series the AIA and others hope to provoke thought, inform the public and stimulate conversation about Tacoma’s urban form and the communities we are building through the City’s Comprehensive Plan. These are opportunities for community-wide discussions about our City’s design future.

IT"S OUR CITY, let’s redefine it and reinvent it.

For more information go to http://www.retacoma.com/.

A Call for Federal Transportation Reform

2009-08-27T16:57:00.000-07:00

At a Seattle forum today the National Transportation Policy Project (NTPP) made the case for an overhaul of federal transportation policy. Their case comes in the form of a report, Performance Driven: A New Vision for U.S. Transportation Policy, the product of a bipartisan group of 26 politically and professionally diverse members. The report proposes five key goals for future national transportation policy: economic growth, national connectivity, metropolitan accessibility, energy security and environmental protection, and safety.

Based on these goals, the NTPP report contends that performance measures should be used to determine future federal funding allocation to state transportation agencies. While the report proposes that 67% of federal funding remain formula based, the other 33% would be competitively based on the performance of states’ transportation systems. As part of this performance determination, the group also calls for increased investment in Intelligent Transportation Systems, or systems embedded in transportation infrastructure that monitor the system and provide critical data to decision-makers and citizens.

The NTPP pitched their report to an audience of approximately 150 in the transportation field, including numerous state transportation heavy weights such as Paula Hammond, Secretary of the Washington State Department of Transportation and Charlie Howard, Transportation Planning Director for the Puget Sound Regional Council. Joni Earl, Sound Transit CEO, offered her eloquent and insightful thoughts on NTPP's recommendations during her keynote address, suggesting increased consideration of multimodal transportation in the NTPP's proposed goals and performance measures.

The NTPP’s report has been and will continue to be circulated on Capital Hill in the next 12 to 18 months of debate leading up to the next Federal Transportation Authorization Bill. While the current report is a finished product, NTPP representatives stressed throughout the forum that the conversation regarding federal transportation reform is ongoing and far from over.

Take a look at the NTPP's report here.