Mainstreet Conference energizes Tacomans
More than 30 Tacomans, with representation from each of the city’s Neighborhood Business Districts, attended the National Mainstreets Conference that just concluded in Seattle. The Community and Economic Development Department provided tuition scholarships for the four-day event as the participants day-tripped back and forth.
Kala Dralle of Community and Economic Development also provided a successful tour of Tacoma with more than 40 Mainstreet conference attendees from places like Athens, Ga., Amarillo, Tx., Portland, Ore., Pittsburgh, Pa., and Tokyo, Japan.
The City and community participants who participated in the conference returned from the events energized, excited and full of new ideas, so stay tuned through Forward Tacoma on action items that may result.
For more information, visit the Mainstreet Center Web site.
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Economic Gardening program provides Secrets to Success session
The Community and Economic Development’s Economic Gardening Program will feature a free Secrets to Success panel discussion on best business practices for small business from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. on April 20 in the Tacoma Municipal Building, 747 Market St., Room 708.
Panel members include:
• Rusty George, Rusty George Creative, Downtown Tacoma
• Michael Swenson, Pairings Wine, Sixth Avenue District
• Judy Quilici, Giardini Gifts, Proctor District
• Mike Hargreaves, Stadium Thriftway, Stadium District
• Deborah Tuggle, Friday’s Cookies, Downtown Tacoma
• Ken Grassi of Grassi Flowers & Gifts, Downtown Tacoma
Discussion topics will cover how to improve customer retention, market and promote a business, create a niche market, manage cash flow and make the most of new technology.
To RSVP for the session, contact Kala Dralle, kdralle@cityoftacoma.org or (253) 573-2523.
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Soundview Trail opening includes fun run, dog walk
As construction of the Chamber’s Bay Golf Course in University Place continues, a grand opening of the Soundview Trail will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on May 5.
The Soundview Trail and the soon-to-be golf course are regional amenities that offer breathtaking views of the water and neighboring islands.
The grand opening function will include a family fun 5K/five-mile run and the Hound to Sound Dog Walk, local high school music groups, arts, crafts, games, magic, clowns and a kids karaoke contest. Registration forms for the Family Fun Run and the Hound to Sound Dog Walk are now available at any Colombia Bank in Pierce County.
For more information, visit the Chamber’s Creek Foundation or the Chamber’s Bay Golf Course Web sites and be sure to check out the Superintendent’s Monthly Update for information on how this golf course is taking shape.
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SBA, Bates Technical College hold grand opening for Tacoma Business Center
The U.S. Small Business Administration and Bates Technical College will host a grand opening reception for the South Sound Women’s Business Center and the Tacoma Business Center from 2 to 5 p.m. on April 3 at Bates Technical College, 1101 S. Yakima Ave. Main Building Fountain Court. To RSVP for this event, call (253) 680-7770 or email score@bates.ctc.edu. For more information on the services that the center offers, visit the Tacoma Business Center Web site.
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City releases downtown housing analysis
The City of Tacoma's Community and Economic Development Department recently contracted with New Home Trends – a data, research and consulting firm – to provide an updated analysis of the downtown Tacoma multi-family housing market.
This analysis includes information on residential supply and demand and an analysis of condominium and apartment developments in downtown neighborhoods including the Stadium District, St. Helens Neighborhood, Mid Downtown, Thea Foss Waterway, South Downtown and the Tacoma Dome District.
An overview of the analysis and the full report can be found at www.cityoftacoma.org/business or www.cityoftacoma.org/ced. For more information, contact Roxanne Murphy, Community Relations Specialist, at roxanne.murphy@cityoftacoma.org or (253) 591-2054.
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Mixed Use Center Review taking place
A review of the City of Tacoma’s Mixed Use Centers is underway. The goal of the review is to evaluate the current 14 Mixed Use Centers as designated in the City of Tacoma’s Comprehensive Plan for their effectiveness in implementing the City's growth strategy. The evaluation will consider the number, location, size, hierarchy, character and function of centers, as well as adding two new centers. The project will also review existing policies, regulations, programs for possible revision to stimulate development.
Community meetings are in progress to relay to the respective neighborhoods what a mixed-use center is, how it may affect the neighborhood, the scope of the mixed-use center review particularly related to the neighborhood, and how neighbors can provide feedback. For more information on the community meetings, visit the Planning Division’s Web site. For more information on the Mixed Use Center Review overall, contact Peter Huffman, Community and Economic Development Department, at phuffman@cityoftacoma.org or (253) 591-5373.
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Parking meetings will continue in April
A second round of downtown parking meetings will be held in each of the six neighborhoods that the City Manager first visited - the Theater District, the Dome District, the Stadium District, the Hilltop, the Thea Foss Waterway area and the University of Washington, Tacoma, area - beginning in April. For more information, visit the Downtown Parking Web site.
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Broadway Center for Performing Arts offers enticing upcoming performances
The BCPA has been busy announcing exciting shows that will be coming to the Pantages Theater. These include An Evening with Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood from Who’s Line Is It Anyway at 7 p.m. on April 1; The Soweto Gospel Choir at 7:30 p.m. on April 2; and Arlo Guthrie and the Family Legacy Tour at 7:30 p.m. on April 13. Bob Marley's The Wailers will perform at 7:30 p.m. on June 24 and tickets will go on sale at 11:30 a.m. on April 3. For a full listing of events the BCPA books at each of the theaters they manage, bookmark their Broadway Center for Performing Arts Web site. For tickets go here or call (253) 591-5894 or 1 (800) 291-7593.
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Tacoma Rainiers host Preseason Party for fans
Tacoma Rainiers baseball fans can celebrate their home team at the Rainiers Preseason Party at Cheney Stadium, 2502 S. Tyler St., taking place from noon to 3 p.m. on April 7.
This free kick-off event will include ballpark tours, photo opportunities with Rhubarb the Reindeer, free hot dogs, beverages, activities for children and a chance to win an Easter basket loaded with baseball goodies.
For Tacoma Rainiers ticket sales and information call (253)-752-7700 or email tickets@tacomarainiers.com.
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