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MONDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2012
Vol. CXXIII, No. 210
OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE CITY OF TACOMA Devoted to the Courts, Real Estate, Finance, Industrial Activities, and Publication of Legal Notices
Published Since 1890
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Groundbreaking ceremony, open house planned for Tacoma's PaciďŹ c Avenue Streetscape Project
Posted online Thurs., Oct. 25 Image Courtesy City of Tacoma The City of Tacoma will host two events next month to mark the beginning of the Pacific Avenue Streetscape Project. The project aims to improve the right-of-way from South 7th Street to South 17th Street and attract and encourage visitors and new business to downtown Tacoma. Earlier this month, Tacoma City Council awarded a contract for the project to Tucci & Sons, Inc. Limited construction is scheduled to begin in November prior to the holiday shutdown from Thanksgiving to Jan. 2. The overall project, which includes complete streets concepts, multimodal transportation, innovative stormwater treatment, and wayfinding, is expected to be completed by November 2013. Two-way traffic, pedestrian, and emergency access to the businesses will be maintained at all times, according to city officials. City officials are also planning "green flash" events and art that will celebrate Pacific Avenue during construction. On Mon., Nov. 5, city officials will celebrate the start of the first phase of construction -- which spans from South 7th Street to South 9th Street and includes in-filling two vaulted walks, installing new sidewalks, landscaping, rain gardens and catenary lighting, as well as a new cobblestone intersection at South 8th Street -- with a groundbreaking ceremony at Fireman's Park, located at 803 A. St. The event will be followed by a reception with light pastries and refreshments at the Tacoma Art Museum, located at 701 Pacific Ave. On Weds., Nov. 7,the City of Tacoma will host an open house at 6 p.m. in the Council Chambers on the first floor of the Tacoma Municipal Building, located at 747 Market Street. City and contractor representatives will be available to answer your questions. More information is online at cityoftacoma.org/ pacave.
Tacoma partners with real estate broker on Swan Creek Library sale Article and File Photo By Todd Matthews, Editor The City of Tacoma has hired a local real estate broker to bolster its effort to find the right buyer for the former Swan Creek Library building on the city's east side. The building, located at 3828 East Portland Ave., has been on the market for most of this year. The City has issued two requests for proposals, held two open houses for potential buyers in April, and even lowered the asking price from $400,000 to $300,000. "While there was some interest in Swan Creek, there were no bona fide proposals received," wrote Tacoma Public Works Director Richard E. McKinley in a recent memo to City Manager T. C. Broadnax. Tacoma City Councilmembers are scheduled to discuss the issue this week at City Hall. According to McKinley, the City has hired First Western Properties to market the property and solicit proposals. "Staff is hopeful that the real estate broker's ability to utilize the commercial broker's Web service, established connections to the real estate community, and experience marketing and selling commercial properties will put the City in a better position to attract potential buyers," added McKinley. The building is currently listed for sale at $300,000. If a serious buyer does come forward, an advisory committee consisting of representatives from the City of Tacoma, Tacoma Public Library, Eastside Neighborhoods Advisory Council of Tacoma, and the First Creek Stewardship Group will have a say in the outcome. The ad-
visory committee wants a buyer who plans to use the property in a way that benefits the surrounding community. Tacoma City Council will make the final approval on the sale. In January, City staff reported that three parties inquired about the Swan Creek branch, and two parties submitted written interest. At the time, the Puyallup Tribe wanted to expand its governmental operations and house its historical department and museum. Nearby Fellowship Bible Church wanted to buy back the property and use it for church and outreach services. In 1984, Tacoma paid Fellowship Bible Church $37,500 for the property on which to build the Swan Creek Branch, which cost $743,000 to construct, including $42,114 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. Tacoma also paid the church $11,000 in 1988 to acquire land for the library's parking lot. The library opened in 1989. In 2012, the assessed value totaled approximately $723,400. However, the Swan Creek branch building accrued approximately $450,000 in deferred maintenance: the roof and ventilation system needed to be replaced, and exterior walls and windows needed to be repaired. Tacoma City Council's government performance and finance committee meeting is scheduled to discuss the issue during its meeting on Weds., Oct. 31 at 4 p.m. in the Tacoma Municipal Building, 747 Market Street, Conference Room 248. A copy of the agenda and meeting materials are available online at cms.cityoftacoma.org/cityclerk/Files/CouncilCommittees/ Agendas/2012/GPFAgenda/GPF_20121031.pdf.