AngelouEconomics wraps up downtown strategy survey
Many thanks go to the 619 residents and 123 business owners who provided input on the City of Tacoma’s economic development strategy for downtown Tacoma.
The City’s contractor, AngelouEconomics, is currently reviewing and coordinating this information along with the input they received through several focus groups and one-on-one interviews.
At the same time, AngelouEconomics is also finishing an economic impact statement describing how downtown affects the balance of the community and its neighborhoods, as well as Pierce County and the State of Washington as a whole. This early input on the economic development strategy process will be followed by reports offering a downtown market assessment and target industries that Tacoma should pursue in growing downtown employment.
AngelouEconomics' recommendations for our downtown economic development strategy will be available to the public, the Planning Commission and the City Council prior to the completion of the Downtown Comprehensive Plan review. The Community and Economic Development Department’s Planning Division has contracted with VIA Architects in terms of reviewing the long-range planning and zoning of the downtown. The overall vision for downtown will be defined consistently for both plans and will be supported by a combined public outreach effort (interviews, focus groups, visioning sessions, online surveys). By integrating the two plans, the City of Tacoma will have a robust and meaningful downtown strategic plan.
AngelouEconomics will deliver a list of actionable items that will be reviewed, discussed and prioritized by the Tacoma City Council. These could be items that the City will implement directly, or, especially since this is a community-driven initiative, that the City will work with its partner organizations and individuals to implement. Based on the prioritization, the action items will be included in a strategic timeline, which will be formally rolled out in June.
For more information, visit www.cityoftacoma.org/downtownstrategy or contact Roxanne Murphy, community relations specialist, at roxanne.murphy@cityoftacoma.org or (253) 591-2054.
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New Business Update: Neighborhood Coffee and Espresso
• Neighborhood Coffee and Espresso has opened at 723 E. 34th St.
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New Economic Gardening session offered on customer service
The Community and Economic Development Department will host an Economic Gardening workshop, Customer Service Strategies That Work, from 7:30 to 9 a.m. on March 28, at the Municipal Building, 747 Market St., Room 708. This workshop is free to any business located in Tacoma. For more information or to RSVP, contact Christine Clifford, Community and Economic Development Department, cclifford@cityoftacoma.org, (253) 573-2435.
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One community workshop remains 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.
One design review workshop remains on the schedule 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 the following sessions from 6 to 8 p.m.:
• 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 Department, bboudet@cityoftacoma.org, (253) 573-2389.
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Get your neighborhood project funded through innovative grant program
The 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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Convention Center continues to bring thousands to downtown
The Greater Tacoma Convention Center will host the following upcoming events, drawing thousands to downtown Tacoma:
• March 8, Lee’s Martial Arts Open, including more than 2,400 attendees.
• March 14 to 16, Remodeling Exposition 2008, with more than 3,000 people.
• March 23, St. John’s Church Easter Service, including 3,000 attendees.
• April 2: Snowmobile Sneak Peak Preview, with 1,500 attendees.
• April 27: Ben Kaplan City of College Dreams National Tour, including 2,500 attendees.
Sign up to have event listings sent directly to your e-mail inbox by visiting the Greater Tacoma Convention Center Web site.
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Tacoma Arts Commission releases annual report
The Tacoma Arts Commission has released a year-in-review report including their accomplishments, the artists and organizations they funded, the maintenance of public art, Art at Work month, National Arts Program and photo safaris. For more information, visit the Tacoma Culture Web site.
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Historic Tacoma provides session on Tacoma Register of Historic Places
Historic Tacoma will offer a special session called Tacoma Register of Historic Places: Nuts and Bolts, Dollars and Sense from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on March 13 at Castle Hall, Knights of Pythias, 926½ Broadway.
During this session, Reuben McKnight, historic preservation officer, Community and Economic Development Department, and members of the Tacoma Landmarks Preservation Commission will describe what it takes to get properties on the Tacoma Register of Historic Places, the Secretary of the Interior's standards for the treatment of historic properties, the design review process, and financial incentives for property owners and developers. For more information visit the Historic Tacoma Web site.
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Don’t miss Old Town’s Jazz and Wine festival this Saturday
The fifth annual Old Town Jazz and Wine festival will take place from 5 to 11 p.m. on Mach 8 at Slavonian Hall, 2306 N. 30th St.
This event will feature jazz from 7 on 7 and Bradley Leighton, a silent auction, and fabulous wines. Tickets are $25 at the door, which includes a commemorative wine glass and tastes. Tickets are also available in advance at the Metropolitan Market, Oslo Salon and Day Spa, Pour At Four and Ted Brown Music. Proceeds from this festival will benefit Old Town Park's proposed permanent outdoor stage.
For more information, visit the Old Town Jazz and Wine Festival Web site.
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Tacoma Opera offers classic comedy this weekend
The Tacoma Opera will conclude its season of laughter with a production of Gioacchino Rossini’s The Barber of Seville at 8 p.m. on March 7 and 8 and at 2 p.m. on March 9 at the Pantages Theater, 901 Broaday. For more information, visit the Tacoma Opera Web site.
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Learn about Wright Park, then and now
Robert Van Pelt, research ecologist from the University of Washington, will speak about the origin of Wright Park, its trees and its modern state at 6 p.m. on March 20 at the Karpeles Manuscript Library, 407 S. G St. A reception will follow the presentation at the Wright Park Conservatory. For more information, call (253) 591-5330.
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