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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2013
Vol. CXXIII, No. 244
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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South 17th Street realignment planned near UW Tacoma Article By Todd Matthews, Editor Image Courtesy City of Tacoma It could soon be a little easier to navigate the streets of downtown Tacoma near the University of Washington campus. On Tuesday, Tacoma City Council voted to enter into an agreement with the University of Washington Tacoma for the design and construction of the re-alignment of South 17th Street between Jefferson Avenue, Broadway, and Commerce Street. For anyone familiar with the area, South 17th Street is cut off between Broadway and Commerce Street by a small greenspace, forcing cars and pedestrians to head south on Broadway for a half-block, then backtrack a half-block north on Jefferson Avenue, before reconnecting to South 17th Street. According to a report prepared by City of Tacoma staff and presented to councilmembers on Tuesday, UW Tacoma officials approached City officials to discuss the idea of turning South 17th Street into a through street. After a seUniversity of ries of meetings, a realignment was proposed that Washington Tacoma would connect the two seg- and City of Tacoma officials have proments of South 17th Street, preserve a portion of the posed a plan to connect two segments greenspace, and terminate Jefferson Avenue at Broad- of South 17th Street, way. The two groups draft- preserve a portion of ed an agreement whereas existing greenspace, and terminate Jefthe City would manage the ferson Avenue at project while UW Tacoma would pay for the project, Broadway. The plan aims to make it a which is currently budgeted at $1.25 million. Coun- little easier to navigate the streets of cilmembers authorized the downtown Tacoma agreement Tuesday. "In light of failed infra- near the university. structure all over the city, this is a great example of one of the many ways we can move forward to improve our infrastructure in really tough spots in Tacoma," he said. "I really appreciate the University of Washington stepping up to be the major financial partner here." Councilmember David Boe supported the plan, but was concerned that Jefferson Avenue would now terminate at Broadway. "Part of me grieves because we are losing the historic aspect of Jefferson," he said. "But knowing and seeing how the result of developable properties here are much greater. Espe-
NOTE TO READERS
In observance of Christmas Day, the Tacoma Daily Index will not be published on Weds., Dec. 25. Publication will resume on Thurs., Dec. 26. Have a safe holiday.
cially the property around Court C and Broadway." Deputy Mayor Marty Campbell, who owned a business nearby for nearly 15 years, was familiar with the confusion created by the current alignment. "Having walked through that area many times, this will be a great improvement for students," he said. "Right now, crossing those streets sometimes you take your life into your hands because it's several streets. Or if you're coming down 17th, you have to go half a block out of your way just to come back to the same point. And I know the business owners in the area are very happy with this." "We have to work really hard to make sure we are fixing what I call our counter-intuitive intersections that are confusing," added Mayor Marilyn Strickland. "When you have a lot of people downtown now and having critical masses, it's more important that we make it easy for people to get around, whether it's walking, biking, or trying to park your car."
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RSVP today for annual Chamber economic forecast meeting
Posted online Tues., Dec. 17 The Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber will host its annual Horizons Economic Forecast breakfast meeting next month in downtown Tacoma. The annual event will unveil the latest Pierce County Economic Index (PCEI), which will be presented for the first time by Dr. Martin Wurm and Dr. Neal Johnson, professors of economics at Pacific Lutheran University. The annual PCEI aims to provide an update on the economic well-being of Tacoma and Pierce County for the forthcoming calendar year. University of Puget Sound economics professors Dr. Bruce Mann and Dr. Doug Goodman presented the report for more than two decades before stepping down last year. This year’s event will also feature keynote speaker Dr. Martin Regalia, Chief Economist and Senior Vice President for Economic and Tax Policy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Dr. Regalia will discuss the environment and forecast for the national economy. The Horizons Economic Forecast breakfast meeting will be held on Thurs., Jan. 9 between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. at the Hotel Murano Bicentennial Pavilion, located at 1320 Broadway, in downtown Tacoma. Event sponsors include Chase, Clear Channel Outdoor, Commencement Bank, Coordinated Care, CreoWorks, Pacific Lutheran University, PJ Hummel & Co., Port of Tacoma, Puget Sound Energy, Tacoma Public Utilities, Targa Sound Terminal, Tehaleh, Totem Ocean Trailer Express, Inc., Umpqua Bank, University of Puget Sound, and Pierce County Economic Development. For more information and to register online, visit tacomachamber.org.