Don’t miss Wintergrass this weekend
Tacoma’s annual award-winning bluegrass celebration, Wintergrass, will kick off this evening at 5:30 p.m. and will run through Feb. 24 inside and around the Hotel Murano on five different stages. This celebration includes more than 30 bands, dances and jamming workshops. For more information, visit the Wintergrass Web site.
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Downtown developers unite for KIRO Radio condo tour
Several of Tacoma’s downtown developers have banded together on a partnership with 710 KIRO Radio to produce a Tacoma Condo Tour that will take place April 19 to 21 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Projects that will be represented in the tour include the Walker, 505 Broadway, Marcato, Esplanade, Granville, McCarver Village, Metro City Homes, City Steps, Point Ruston, The Commencement and Midtown Lofts. Wells Fargo Home Mortgage will be the financial sponsor.
This tour is focusing on introducing Seattle-area dwellers to downtown Tacoma homes and overall quality of life. Tacoma residents are encouraged to participate also.
Starting on March 31, more than 700 advertisements about the tour will run on 710 KIRO AM, 770 KTTH AM and 97.3 KBSG FM. More than 500 streaming commercials will also run on www.mynorthwest.com.
The tour itself will begin at the Greater Tacoma Convention and Trade Center, where frequent seminars will run with local community members discussing the value of living downtown and Tacoma’s transformation overall.
From there, participants will hop onto shuttles that will run every 10 to 15 minutes between each of the properties.
Forward Tacoma will provide updates on the tour as the event dates approach. For more information on the Tacoma Condo Tour, contact Chris Holcomb, 710 KIRO Radio, at cholcomb@bonneville.com or (206) 726-6933.
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Complete the downtown Tacoma survey by Feb. 29 to help make our urban heart more vibrant
The City of Tacoma's Community and Economic Development Department is working to develop an economic development strategic plan for downtown Tacoma, and only one week remains for all Tacoma citizens to provide input on this initiative.
The Community and Economic Development Department is partnering with AngelouEconomics, www.angeloueconomics.com, an Austin, Texas, based economic development consulting firm, to develop this plan that will provide a blueprint for increased investment in Tacoma’s downtown and provide more jobs for the region’s residents.
To create the strategy, AngelouEconomics has conducted interviews, focus groups and visioning sessions and the City of Tacoma is looking for feedback from the entire community through an online survey. All Tacoma citizens are invited to complete two brief surveys – one is available for residents and another is available for business owners. This community input will help AngelouEconomics and the City of Tacoma better understand the dynamics of downtown and prepare recommendations for the strategic plan.
To date, 535 residents and 113 business owners have completed the survey that will be available until Feb. 29.
For more information about this initiative, and to complete one of the brief surveys, visit www.cityoftacoma.org/downtownstrategy.
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City seeks community input on design review project
The City of Tacoma is currently exploring the possibility and appropriateness of developing a citywide design review program, with a focus on commercial, multi-family and mixed-use development. A key component of this project is gaining public input on what is important to the community and how this project can better ensure that new development is consistent with the community’s vision.
Three design review workshops will be offered by the City to provide background information on what design review is, the City’s design review project, and give the public an opportunity to ask questions and provide input. Community members are encouraged to attend any or all of the following sessions from 6 to 8 p.m.:
• Feb. 21, Whitman Elementary School Cafeteria, 1120 S. 39th St.
• Feb. 25, Tacoma Municipal Building, Seventh Floor, Room 708, 747 Market St.
• March 10, Evergreen State College, Tacoma Branch Commons, 1210 6th Ave.
Community members can also complete an online questionnaire to provide feedback and get more information on design review by visiting www.cityoftacoma.org/designreview.
For more information, contact Brian Boudet, Community and Economic Development, bboudet@cityoftacoma.org, (253) 573-2389.
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Downtown Business Improvement Area extension approved
Members of the City Council approved an ordinance that re-establishes the Downtown Business Improvement Area for a 10-year period starting in May through April, 2018. BIA services include enhanced security, maintenance and enhancement of common areas and professional management, planning and promotion. For more information, visit the BIA Web site.
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Help paint Tacoma beautiful
Paint Tacoma-Pierce Beautiful of Associated Ministries organizes volunteer crews to paint the homes of low-income senior and low-income people with disabilities in Tacoma/Pierce County. During the summer of 2007, more than 1,700 volunteers painted 86 homes. There is absolutely no cost to the homeowner – the labor is supplied by volunteers and paint is supplied by Paint Tacoma-Pierce Beautiful. Applications are currently being accepted for this service from now until April 15. Paint Tacoma-Pierce Beautiful also accepts referrals on potential low-income senior and people with disabilities who may need assistance, and the organization is always in need of volunteer painters and crews. For more information, visit www.paintbeautiful.org or contact Sallie Shawl at (253) 383-3056, paint@associatedministries.org.
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Get your neighborhood project funded through innovative grant program
The City of Tacoma’s Community and Economic Development Department’s Neighborhood Council Office is currently accepting applications for the 2008 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-related improvements, lighting, signage, handicap access improvements, beautification activities and cleanups. For more information, visit the City of Tacoma’s news release.
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Landmarks Preservation Commission to consider historic preservation ordinance updates
The Tacoma Landmarks Preservation Commission will conduct a public hearing at 5 p.m. on Feb. 27 to receive comment on proposed changes to the historic preservation section of the Tacoma Municipal Code (Chapter 13.07). The hearing will take place in the Tacoma Municipal Building North, at 733 Market St., Room 16.
The scope of the recommended updates includes:
• Changes to the regulations governing projects within the right-of-way in local historic districts.
• Minor changes to sign requirements within the Union Depot/Warehouse Historic Special Review and Union Station Conservation districts.
• Updates on wording, removal of typographical errors, and clarification of authorities and responsibilities within the Municipal Code.
For more information, visit the City of Tacoma’s news release.
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Catch the Academy Awards on the big screen at the Rialto Theater
The Rialto Theater will be home to an Academy Awards party as a fundraiser for the Grand Cinema that you won’t want to miss, stating at 4 p.m. on Feb. 24. Watch the event on the big screen, snack on food provided by the Varsity Grill and desserts from El Gaucho, Hello Cupcake and Corina Bakery. Each guest will receive an Oscar ballot that can be filled out for the chance to win one full year of free movies at the Grand Cinema. Tickets are now available at the Grand Cinema for $14 (Grand Cinema members) and $17 (non-members). For more information call (253) 572-6062.
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