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THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 2013
Vol. CXXIV, No. 16
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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Open house Jan. 31 for Pierce County's $353M wastewater treatment plant expansion Posted online Weds., Jan. 23 Photo Courtesy Pierce County Pierce County residents are invited to attend an open house next week to learn more about the $353 million expansion of the Chambers Creek Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant (pictured). When completed in 2016, the new facility will increase sewer capacity, introduce new technologies that help protect the environment, support economic development in Pierce County, and build the foundation for meeting future environmental regulations, according to Pierce County Public Works and Utilities Director Brian Ziegler. The project will also allow the county to repair and replace aging infrastructure at the plant. The expansion project will increase the plant's footprint from 49 acres to 89 acres and treatment capacity from 28.7 million gallons per day to 43 million gallons per day. Infrastructure improvements consist of a new laboratory, rehabilitation of existing buildings, and expansion of many of the treatment facilities such as digesters, aeration basins and secondary clarifiers. The project is funded primarily through a series of three bond sales. Additional funding comes from a Public Works Trust Fund loan, connection charges for new developments, state grants, and monthly rates collected from sewer customers.
The open house will be held on Thurs., Jan. 31 between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. at Pierce County's Environmental Services Building, located at 9850 64th Street West, in University Place. "Pierce County residents will learn about the benefits this project will bring to the county," said Ziegler. "Attendees will also get to talk one-on-one with project staff and contractors." A presentation about the project will begin at 6 p.m. Speakers will include Ryan Dooley, Public Works and Utilities engineering supervisor, who serves as the project manager; Tim Ramsaur, Public Works and Utilities wastewater
Murray Morgan Bridge re-opening ceremony Feb. 15 Posted online Weds., Jan. 23 File Photo By Todd Matthews, Editor The City of Tacoma plans to celebrate the 100th anniversary and re-opening of the Murray Morgan Bridge in February with a week of special events. Entitled "Murray Morgan Bridge Week," the festivities will include an evening 5-kilometer fun run and walk across the bridge at 6 p.m. on Thurs., Feb. 14. On Fri., Feb. 15, at 10 a.m., the City of Tacoma will host a rededication and christening ceremony that will include remarks by Tacoma Mayor Marilyn Strickland and a procession of vintage cars provided by LeMay– America's Car Museum. "The city is expecting a large crowd . . . and would like to make this a community-wide celebration," wrote Mayor Strickland and TacomaPierce County Chamber President and CEO Tom Pierson in a Jan. 22 letter to local businesses. "Let's give attendees a special reason to support local business." Strickland and Pierson are encouraging business owners to provide special incentives, such as discounts and food and beverage spe-
cials. If you are a business owner who would like to participate, contact Kacie McKinney at kcmckinney@jayray.com by Fri., Feb. 1. The century-old bridge has been closed for several years while it undergoes a nearly-$60million rehabilitation. The bridge is scheduled to open to vehicle traffic on Fri., Feb. 1.
utility manager; Councilmember Connie Ladenburg (District 4); and representatives from Mortenson Construction and Brown and Caldwell, the general contractor/construction manager and design team. Topics will include construction and traffic impacts, features of the new treatment plant, sustainable elements of the design, funding, and how wastewater treatment works. More information is available online at piercecountywa.org/sewerexpansion.
Moody's, S&P revise City of Tacoma's bond ratings National financial rating services Standard and Poor's (S&P) and Moody's Investors Service announced Tuesday new general obligation bond (LTGO) ratings for the City of Tacoma. S&P reaffirmed the City's "AA" rating with a stable outlook, while Moody's revised its current "Aa3" negative outlook rating to an "A1" with a stable outlook. According to the report issued by S&P, the work spearheaded by a new leadership team to balance the organization's operational budget in a financially sound manner for the first time in several years was key in its decision to reaffirm the City's rating. Moody's favorably noted the City's ability to stabilize its financial operations and develop structural balance while working to improve reserve levels. "These ratings are encouraging," said Tacoma Mayor Marilyn Strickland. "They reflect that the City of Tacoma has made some tough decisions and is now on a more sustainable financial path." "While we've worked hard to cultivate better financial management practices, there's still more work that needs to be done to ensure the long-term fiscal integrity of the City's budget," said City Manager T.C. Broadnax.