Evergreen Fire and Security expands
Evergreen Fire and Security has outgrown its existing facility at 3215 S. 12th St., and will move to an existing building at South 27th and South J streets after improvements are made to the building. Evergreen expects to increase employment by approximately a dozen employees and this facility expansion will allow for continued growth. For more information, visit Evergreen Fire and Security’s Web site.
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Martin Luther King Housing Development Association starts mixed-use project, garners brownfield loan
In conjunction with the Washington State Department of Community Trade and Economic Development, a $400,000 Brownfield Revolving Loan has been made to Martin Luther King Housing Development Association for demolition of existing buildings and cleanup of contaminants, including petroleum, hazardous waste in the form of heavy metals, and friable asbestos. The former bank building and one-time gas station site is being demolished along with a medical building and a used-car sales/vehicle repair shop to make way for new retail, office and residential space in the Upper Tacoma Business District. For more information, visit the Martin Luther King Housing Development Association Web site.
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D Street overpass eighty-five percent complete
The $24.5 million D Street Overpass construction project is now 85 percent complete. This overpass will separate train and vehicle/pedestrian traffic while uniting the Dome District with the Thea Foss Waterway. The City’s contractor is currently constructing the south ramp and half of the northern ramp up to the overpass. The full project is anticipated to be complete in early 2008. Interesting features of the overpass are taking shape, including pedestrian overlooks that will include interpretive panels and traffic barriers that will be cast in the shape of tugboats to pay homage to the Thea Foss Waterway. Recent images of these features and the construction overall are available at www.cityoftacoma.org/dstreet. For more information, contact Roxanne Murphy, Community and Economic Development, at roxanne.murphy@cityoftacoma.org or (253) 591-2054.
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Dynamic Family Services extends program to Pierce County
Dynamic Family Services (DFS) will soon be providing therapeutic services to children with disabilities at their new facility on South 87th and South Hosmer streets. DFS is based in south King County and has been asked by the Pierce County Department of Developmental Disabilities, pediatricians, and other service providers to expand and establish this satellite facility. DFS expects to serve 650 low- and moderate-income families per year and to add 10 employees to operate the new facility within Tacoma. For more information, visit the Dynamic Family Services Web site.
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State awards $12 million in Commercial Revitalization Deductions
The Washington State Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development accepted recommendations from the City of Tacoma and the Tacoma Community Redevelopment Authority for $12 million in Commercial Revitalization Deductions (CRD) this year. The CRDs were awarded to three commercial building projects in Tacoma.
Each year projects compete for $12 million in CRD allocations. This year, four projects applied for funding. The state of Washington awarded the allocations to:
• TRAP Enterprises, LLP, building structures: $7,000,000
• Foss Investors I, LLC, office building: $3,000,000
• 1123 Pacific Partners, LLC, office building: $2,000,000
For more information, view the City of Tacoma’s news release.
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Takepartinart.org increases coverage to include Pierce County
An ArtsFund’s Web site, www.TakePartInArt.org, recently expanded to include the cultural activities of a wide range of Pierce County nonprofit organizations in addition to its King County coverage. The site is now a clearinghouse calendar for the arts and culture in both counties.
Takepartinart.org attracts approximately 150,000 page views per month, and Pierce County will now enjoy the same kind exposure as King. This Web site will soon create a one-stop shop for arts and entertainment and introduce Pierce County to a brand-new audience.
For more information, visit www.takepartinart.org, and be sure to bookmark this site for latest on so many of Tacoma’s arts organizations.
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Art at Work month illuminates November
This November will mark the sixth anniversary of Art at Work month, a not-to-be-missed community celebration of the arts that includes an opening celebration, studio tours, an art slam, an arts symposium and a comprehensive catalogue of the arts events in Tacoma. The goal of Art at Work month is to illustrate the collective talent in Tacoma and get people involved in the arts. It’s an opportunity for all community members to be an active part of Tacoma's cultural life. Visit www.tacomaculture.org/arts/ArtatWork.asp to mark those calendars for all that Art at Work month has to offer.
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TV Tacoma wins four national programming awards
TV Tacoma, the City’s 24-hour government information channel, recently took home four national programming awards at the 22nd annual National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors.
TV Tacoma scored first place for community awareness with “Baykeeper” produced by Lane Ficke. This story highlights the efforts of the non-profit organization Citizens for a Healthy Bay in helping Commencement Bay businesses maintain the environment.
For more information on all of the awards TV Tacoma took home, visit the City of Tacoma’s news release.
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Tacoma offers Dia de Los Muertos fiestas
The third annual 6th Ave. Dia de los Muertos celebration will take place on Nov. 2 at 7 p.m. This event will include a procession down 6th Ave. a ceremony and hot Mexican chocolate and sweet breads to warm participants up. The procession will begin and end at Masa, 2811 6th Ave. For more information, visit the 6th Ave. Business District Web site.
In addition to their current exhibit that’s drawing thousands downtown, Gee's Bend: The Architecture of the Quilt, the Tacoma Art Museum is also hosting a Dia de Los Muertos free community celebration in coordination with Centro Latino. On Nov. 4 from noon to 5 p.m., the museum will feature music and dance, traditional food, art activities, sugar skull decoration, traditional sand painting, community altars, and student artwork installations. For more information, visit the Tacoma Art Museum Web site.
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Tacoma Dome brings holiday cheer
One of the nation’s largest holiday gift shows will take place at the Tacoma Dome. The Holiday Food and Gift Festival, with over 600 exhibits and displays, will take place Oct. 24 to 28 at the Dome. For more information, including tickets, visit www.tacomadome.org.
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