Tacoma Daily Index, February 08, 2013

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402 Tacoma Avenue S., Suite 200 TACOMA, WA 98402 PHONE (253) 627-4853 FAX (253) 627-2253

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2013

Vol. CXXIV, No. 27

OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE CITY OF TACOMA Devoted to the Courts, Real Estate, Finance, Industrial Activities, and Publication of Legal Notices

Published Since 1890

Tacoma's West End could become city's newest AIA

Photo Courtesy City of Tacoma By Todd Matthews, Editor A decision is expected to be made later this month at City Hall over whether to create an Alcohol Impact Area in Tacoma's West End in order to curb chronic public inebriation in the neighborhood. If adopted by Tacoma City Council, the ordinance would restrict the sale of fortified beer and wine, ban sales of the alcohol between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m., restrict container sizes to no more than 19 ounces, and restrict single package sales of the cheap and potent booze. Tacoma already has two Alcohol Impact Areas: one in the downtown and Hilltop neighborhoods, created in 2001; and one in the Lincoln District, created in 2008. In October, city staff told Tacoma City Council's neighborhoods and housing committee that reported calls for service in the West End for alcohol-related incidents increased by over 40 percent in the past year, and four-fold since the Lincoln District Alcohol Impact Area was established five years ago. City staff also reported a request for the special des-

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Code inspections ahead for Tacoma's business districts Posted online Thurs., Feb. 7 City of Tacoma officials announced today letters will go out this week to around 1,500 property owners in the city's business districts announcing that code inspectors will begin conducting visual inspections for issues that need to be addressed such as debris, overgrown vegetation, building issues or graffiti. The inspections are expected to begin on Feb. 18. Property owners whose sites are flagged for possible code violations will receive postcards warning them of the existence of general nuisance conditions. The city's code inspectors will also conduct visual surveys of properties along primary arterial streets that fall outside Tacoma's neighborhood business districts, and use the information gathered for future planning, outreach and education purposes. Other city staff will meet with the Cross District Association to share survey findings and other information. City officials say the effort aims to combine outreach with education by connecting with property owners across 15 neighborhood business districts to help them identify and preemptively address any possible code violation

issues on their respective sites, while also letting them know about the many City resources currently available to them. "We're essentially partnering with local property and business owners to ensure that Tacoma continues to be a safe, attractive, viable and vibrant city," said Assistant City Manager Tansy Hayward, who also leads the city's Neighborhood and Community Services Department. "We also want to make sure that they are specifically aware of the broad range of business development support that is available to them through the City of Tacoma." The letters mailed this week will also include City of Tacoma resources available to businesses and property owners. Those resources include business loan assessments and information on funding opportunities, demographic and census data for targeted areas and industry sectors, international trade and cultural strategies with Tacoma's 12 Sister Cities, search engine optimization assessments for business Web sites, consultation on facade improvements and more. More information is available online at tacomameansbusiness.com.

ignation was made by the West End Neighborhood Council and has received support from the North End Neighborhood Council, Central Neighborhood Council, Old Town Business District, 6th Avenue Business District, Tacoma Community College, University of Puget Sound, Tacoma Public Schools, Pierce Transit, and Metro Parks Tacoma. Washington State law requires a local jurisdiction to pass an ordinance creating a voluntary Alcohol Impact Area and then monitor the incidents of chronic public inebriation or illegal activity associated with alcohol sales or consumption in the

area for six months. If problems persist, the local jurisdiction can ask the Washington State Liquor Control Board to officially designate the area as a mandatory Alcohol Impact Area. Tacoma City Council is scheduled to hear the first reading of an ordinance to create the Alcohol Impact Area in Tacoma's West End during its meeting on Tues., Feb. 19, at 5 p.m. in City Council Chambers on the first floor of the Tacoma Municipal Building, located at 747 Market Street. Council meetings are streamed live online at tvtacoma.com and broadcast live on TV Tacoma.

councilmembers last month, as well as share a preview of the information that will be shared at two open houses next week. Additionally, city staff will present the draft Economic Development Strategy Framework document, which will serve as a five-year guide for economic development activities to be considered by the City of Tacoma and its partners. Finally, City of Tacoma Government Relations Officer Randy Lewis will provide coun-

cilmembers with a Legislative update. Councilmembers will not take public comment during the study session, which will be held on Tues., Feb. 12 at 12 p.m. in Room 16 of Tacoma Municipal Building North, 733 Market St. Audio from the meeting will be broadcast live on TV Tacoma and online at tvtacoma.com. On-demand audio archives are available on the Web within 24 hours of the meeting online at tvtacoma.com.

Tacoma City Council to discuss Link light rail, economic development Tacoma City Council is scheduled to meet Tuesday at City Hall for a follow-up presentation by Sound Transit representatives on the Tacoma Link light rail alternatives analysis that began in August and is expected to be completed in April. The analysis aims to identify a preferred alternative for expanding the Tacoma Link light rail system. During the meeting Tuesday, Sound Transit staff will provide a follow-up to an initial presentation made to


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