Please help spread the good Forward Tacoma word
The Community and Economic Development Department initiated this Forward Tacoma publication with approximately 150 e-mail subscribers and the hopes of increasing its distribution through grassroots referrals.
Now, our subscription base has reached 750 with more and more parties opting in each day as they discover the good word. We also continue to hear from our subscribers that this publication has become a welcomed “must-read,” and we thank you for the feedback.
However, we can’t stop there. We’d like to tell this tale of Tacoma’s growth locally, nationally, and even internationally, which is where we could use your help.
We hope you’ll continue to spread the word about Forward Tacoma to your friends, family, colleagues or anyone else who might be interested in Tacoma’s redevelopment.
Just use the “Forward to a Friend” feature above, or refer interested individuals or organizations to www.enewsbuilder.net/forwardtacoma, and let’s watch this publication – and our City – thrive and prosper together.
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New Business Update: Infinite Soups, Moroccan Treasures, Puget Sound Pizza expansion
• Infinite Soups, which will feature 25 soups, is hoping to open by Feb. 28 at 445 Tacoma Ave. S.
• Moroccan Treasures, an upscale import home furnishings shop, has opened downtown at 906 Broadway.
• Puget Sound Pizza, located at 317 S. 7th St., recently expanded to a 65-seat restaurant and bar. Their new bar area will be open from 1 p.m. until midnight.
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Cheney Stadium face lift begins
The City recently started work on a remodel of Cheney Stadium that will meet the needs of the Tacoma Rainiers baseball team and their fans. Ticket holders can look forward to an improved stadium experience and an expanded American’s with Disabilities Act seating platform. Groups will also be more easily accommodated by improvements to the third base dine-in deck. The Cheney Stadium work is funded by a $2.5 million grant from the Washington State Community, Trade and Economic Development Department. For more information regarding this project, contact Donna Datsko at (253) 591-5218 or ddatsko@cityoftacoma.org.
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D Street Overpass reaches milestone
The D Street Overpass construction project progressed through a milestone last week that’s the most visible of the structural changes to date – the City’s contractor, Mid Mountain Contractors, Inc., installed the final girder on the overpass. The girders are the beams that are used as the main support of the roadway on the new bridge. Sidewalk work is also taking place along Puyallup Avenue.
However, this construction comes with an inconvenience to the merchants in the area. Please remember that all of the Dome District businesses are open during construction and could use your support, including Johnny’s Dock, Alfred’s Bubble Room, Bull’s Eye Shooting Gallery, Cascade Friction, Barefoot Studios, DTI Soccer and Corp Logo Wear.
For more information, go to the D Street Overpass Construction Connection Web site or contact Roxanne Murphy, Community Relations Specialist, at roxanne.murphy@cityoftacoma.org, (253) 591-2054 or cell (253) 948-7243.
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City Manager hosts more public forums on parking
Tacoma City Manager Eric Anderson has been holding public meetings to seek input on downtown parking and transit issues, and four remain:
• Feb. 28, 6:30 p.m. – Landmark Convention Center, 47 St. Helens Ave. (Stadium District)
• March 5, 6:30 p.m. – Freighthouse Square Phoenix Room, 430 E. 25th St. (Foss Waterway)
• March 8, 6:30 p.m. – Allen Russell Building, 1321 Martin Luther King Blvd. (Hilltop)
• March 19, 6:30 p.m. – Freighthouse Square Phoenix Room, 430 E. 25th St. (UWT area)
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Neighborhood Innovative Grant applications, workshops now available
The City of Tacoma's Community and Economic Development Department's Neighborhood Council Office is now accepting applications for the 2007 Small Innovative Grant Program.
These grants provide matching funds primarily to neighborhood organizations within the Neighborhood Council areas. They will assist and support these organizations in developing and implementing small-scale, neighborhood, self-help and physical improvement projects.
Projects must benefit low to moderate income neighborhoods or communities; make physical improvements, or remove slum and blighted conditions. Examples include street and street-related improvements, lighting, signage, handicap barrier removals, beautification activities and cleanups.
Grant workshops will be held on Feb. 27 from 4 to 5 p.m. and March 22 from 5 to 6 p.m. in the Tacoma Municipal Building, 747 Market St. Application deadline is April 13 by 5 p.m. For more information, call Elton Gatewood, Neighborhood Council Coordinator, at (253) 591-5229.
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Downtown map, business district partnerships increase
Not only has the working definition of Tacoma’s downtown footprint increased as approved by Tacoma’s City Council, so have the partnerships in the business districts that are included in it. The Downtown Tacoma Map, which is inches away from being finalized, will now include businesses from the Downtown Merchants Group, the Stadium District and Dome District – all in the expanded downtown. This map will be circulated through venues including train stations, hotels, motels, restaurants, entertainment, retail counters, and brochure news stands. It’s scheduled for print in early March and will be distributed in late March or early April. We’ll be sure to let you know when the map is available through Forward Tacoma.
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Bates Technical College construction program goes green
Bates Technical College will introduce a new series on green construction through the college’s extended learning department, beginning mid-March at the college’s south campus, 2201 South 78th Street. A green building is one that maintains or improves quality of life in harmony with a regional climate and environment, while conserving energy and resources and reducing the amount of hazardous substances dispersed into the ecosystem. For more information about this offering, contact Bates Technical College at (253) 680-7000.
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Tacoma Food Cooperative steering committee holds first public meeting
A public meeting on forming a consumer food cooperative will take place from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Feb. 21 at the Allen-Russell Community Center, 1321 Martin Luther King Jr. Way.
The Tacoma Food Cooperative steering committee identified the need for an affordable urban retail grocery store that focuses on local, organic and natural foods and is based on the cooperative ownership model. Their session will include a presentation on the structure of consumer cooperatives, its benefits and information on seven other food cooperatives that operate retail space in Washington state.
The steering committee hopes this public session will draw residents interested not only in joining the food co-op, but also in helping to shape its structure. For more information, contact Amber Englund, steering committee member (253) 272-8819, ext. 10 or tacomafoodcoop@gmail.com.
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Historic Tacoma offers Historic House Forum and Tea
Caroline T. Swope, an architectural historian and historic preservationist and author of “Classic Houses of Seattle” will discuss restoring the original charm of her 1906 Tacoma house from 1 to 4 p.m. on Feb. 24 in a session sponsored by Historic Tacoma, “Historic House Forum and Tea.”
Swope and her home will be featured in the March 2007 edition of Sunset Magazine and on the Tacoma Historical Society's Tour of Historic Homes in May. The house is currently on the Tacoma Register of Historic Places.
Experienced trades people who are involved in this year-long renovation will be available during the session to discuss tricks of the trade. Other conversation items will include lifestyle upgrades, code requirements and energy efficiency.
Tickets are $25 for non-members or join Historic Tacoma online and save 20 percent off the admission price. RSVP by calling (253) 370-6984 or email info@historictacoma.net.
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Chamber of Commerce creates business case for the arts discussion
The Tacoma Pierce County Chamber of Commerce’s General Membership Luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. on Feb. 27 will feature a session on The Business Case for Arts and Culture in Tacoma-Pierce County at the Tacoma Landmark Convention Center, 47 St. Helens Ave. Stephanie Stebich, executive director, Tacoma Art Museum, and Benjii Bittle, incoming deputy director, Broadway Center for Performing Arts, will serve as panel members for the gathering. To register, contact Janice Hutchins at (253) 627-2175 or janice.hutchins@tacomachamber.org.
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Glass-blown Chinese balls are finders keepers this Sunday
An anonymous group of Tacoma artists and organizers, Monkeyshrines, will be placing glass-blown Chinese balls at various locations throughout Tacoma in the morning hours of Feb. 18 to celebrate the eve of the Chinese New Year. Anyone who finds these balls stamped with a picture of a boar will get to keep them as a gift. Normally, Forward Tacoma would provide contact information, but this group really is anonymous. Happy glass ball hunting.
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Don’t miss these upcoming events
• Cultural dances, a parade, fireworks, dragon dancing a fashion show and much more will take place during the Vietnamese New Year Celebration from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Feb. 18 in the Lincoln Business District on 38th Street from South Thompson to Tacoma Avenue.
• The International Film and Food Festival will continue on until April 5. For more information, go to the Film and Food Festival Web site.
• Wintergrass, an award-winning Bluegrass festival, will take place Feb. 22 to 25 within and around the Sheraton Hotel, 1320 Broadway Plaza. For more information, go to the Wintergrass Web site.
• The Grand Cinema’s presentation of the 2007 Academy Awards Party Live at the Rialto will begin with doors at 4 p.m. and Red Carpet coverage at 5 p.m. on Feb. 25. For more information, go to the Grand Cinema Web site.
• The Old Town Jazz and Wine Festival will take place from 4 to 11 p.m. on March 3 at the Slavonian Hall, 2306 N. 30th St. For more information, go to the Old Town Jazz and Wine Festival Web site.
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