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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2013
Vol. CXXIII, No. 232
OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE CITY OF TACOMA Devoted to the Courts, Real Estate, Finance, Industrial Activities, and Publication of Legal Notices
Published Published Since Since 1890 1890
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Celebrate downtown Tacoma's revamped Pac Ave Posted online Mon., Dec. 2 Image Courtesy City of Tacoma The City of Tacoma, Business Improvement Area and Downtown Merchants Group are inviting residents, drivers, business staff and all others to celebrate the Pacific Avenue Streetscape Project's substantial completion at "Pac the Ave" this weekend. The event is designed to kick-off the holiday season by introducing residents to the transformed Pacific Avenue with all its new public improvements and businesses. The 10-block project included sidewalks, curbs and curb ramps, landscaping, public art, historic streetlights, roadway repaving, overhead catenary lights and 14 rain gardens which treat stormwater prior to entering Thea Foss Waterway. A few final project elements, such as road striping, instillation of bike racks and benches, and a few remaining sidewalk public art pieces will be competed in January, after the holiday season is over. "This project has been a very big deal for our community," said Tacoma Public Works Director Kurtis Kingsolver. "We're thrilled it's done. We're thrilled it creates such an inviting environment." On Sat., Dec. 7, between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m., Pacific Avenue will come alive at the new South 8th Street cobble-style intersection under the new crisscross overhead lights between South 7th Street and South 9th Street with free live music, arts performances, hot chocolate, kettle corn and activities. The project's "green flash" theme will carry into the event with green candy canes and costumes. Even two of downtown Tacoma's historic stars have been re-strung with green lights in a nod to the project. Visitors are encouraged to bring a donation of unwrapped toys, blankets and towels to benefit the Rescue Mission for a free picture with Santa. Visitors can also participate in a historic walk at 4 p.m. with Downtown on the Go. A Pac Ave Passport, available at the event and at participating businesses afterwards, will foster visits to area businesses for the chance to win prizes. That contest continues until Tues., Dec. 31.
City Council approves sale of former Tacoma Power substation properties
Article and Photos By Todd Matthews, Editor Land that was once home to four former Tacoma Power substations has been sold to a private developer who plans to build residential housing on the sites. The substations – known as Ruston, Fairmount, Downing, and Lincoln Park – became obsolete after Tacoma Power upgraded its electrical distribution system, according to City of Tacoma staff and Tacoma Public Utilities staff. Four years ago, the properties were included in a list of nine former substations deemed surplus and no longer needed. Earlier this year, local developer Reggie Brown, co-founder of Puyallup-based Puget Sound Builders Association, approached the City of Tacoma with an interest in purchasing the parcels for $317,000 and building five single-family homes on the four parcels of land, according to City of Tacoma staff and Tacoma Public Utilities staff. The properties put up for sale included a .2-acre site at 5001 N. Visscher St. (Ruston Substation) for $87,000, a .3-acre site at 1801 N. Orchard St. (Downing Substation) for $123,000, a .14-acre site at 4924 N. 31st St. (Fairmount Substation) for $77,000 (pictured above), and a .19-acre site at 1009 S. 35th St. (Lincoln Park Substation) for $30,000. In October, the Tacoma Public Utility Board approved a plan to sell the surplus properties. A public hearing on the issue was held last month at Tacoma City Hall.
Last week, Tacoma City Council adopted a resolution authorizing the sale. "I support the surplus and the sale of these properties," said Tacoma City Councilmember Ryan Mello. "Get them on the tax rolls and get single-family homes that are very appropriate in these neighborhoods." Land that was once home to four former Tacoma Power substations has been sold to a private developer who plans to build residential housing on the sites. Two properties include the former Fairmount Substation (pictured top) and the Downing Substation (pictured below).