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THURSDAY, MARCH 21, 2013
Vol. CXXIV, No. 55
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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Port of Tacoma container volumes jump 47 percent Posted online Weds., March 20 Photo Courtesy Port of Tacoma Port of Tacoma officials announced Wednesday containerized imports and exports through the port saw double-digit growth last month, pushing container volumes up 47 percent over February 2012. Full containerized imports posted the most dramatic increase with a 62 percent gain year to date to 114,176 TEUs (20-foot equivalent units). Exports rose 41 percent to 81,567 TEUs. According to port officials, the surge in international container volumes reflects shippers preparing for Lunar New Year, when factories in several Asian countries that export to the U.S. close their doors for one to two weeks. The holiday fell in mid-February this year. The volumes also continue to show the addition of the Grand Alliance, which began calling at Washington United Terminals in July 2012. Domestic container volumes improved 6.5 percent to 63,829 TEUs. Through the second month of the year, Tacoma's total container volume reached 298,134 TEUs, an increase of 41 percent. Breakbulk volumes saw their first dip in more than two years. Fewer breakbulk vessels calling Tacoma this February compared to February 2012 resulted in the 18 percent decline. Demand for agricultural and construction equipment overseas remains strong, and the Port expects 2013 volumes to keep pace with last year. Other year to date cargo volumes saw growth last month, including the following: log exports rose 74 percent to 100,053 short tons as demand in China appears to be picking up and the lumber market improves; auto imports continued to grow, up 18 percent to 26,040 units. A weaker yen is making such Japanese-made vehicles as Mazda more affordable; and intermodal rail lifts mirror the booming container volumes and posted a 51 percent gain. The complete report is available online at portoftacoma.com/Page.aspx?nid=155.
Report examines Tacoma's MLK Way development potential Posted online Weds., March 20 Photos Courtesy City of Tacoma A group of urban planners and design specialists from across the country who visited Tacoma earlier this month to discuss development strategies for the city's Martin Luther King, Jr. Way corridor has released its report online. The group, which included representatives of the Urban Land Institute and officials from the cities of Hartford, Conn., Louisville, Ky. and Austin, Texas, met with Tacoma Mayor Marilyn Strickland and key staff from both the City of Tacoma and Sound Transit to inspect and tour the corridor, which encompasses a stretch of downtown Tacoma real estate bordered by two of the city's oldest residential and commercial areas — the Stadium neighborhood to the north, and the Hilltop neighborhood along the south. The group arrived in Tacoma on March 4 and concluded its visit on March 7 with a full presentation of its findings. The group's conclusions and recommendations include reinforcing the corridor and its connections; continuing to set the table for meaningful development; improving communication between city agencies and community stakeholders; defining a short-
A group of urban planners and design specialists visited Tacoma earlier this month to discuss development strategies for the city's Martin Luther King, Jr. Way corridor. term development project at the 11th MLK intersection and organizing around it; and exploring the potential for a development fund. The group also tasked city officials with establishing a Mayor's Leadership Team; identifying a city point-person for a so-called Hilltop Neighborhood Initiative; generating a list of key tasks to make the area "shovel-ready" for development; evaluating east-west connections to the Hilltop neighborhood; conducting focus group with millenials, students, hospital employees, and residents regarding neighborhood perceptions and interests; and establishing a group to investigate Hilltop neighborhood event opportunities. A complete copy of the report is available online at http://cms.cityoftacoma.org/Planning/ Hilltop-MLK%20Subarea/Tacoma%20ULI%20 Rose%20Center%20Presentationv3%20(3-713).pdf. A video of the March 7 presentation is available online at http://youtu.be/PtpH0TmghM8.