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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2013
Vol. CXXIII, No. 247
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
Year In Review
Brown & Haley Warehouse Demolition
Article and Photo By Todd Matthews, Editor It's hard to imagine it today, but the sprawling, abandoned, and boarded up warehouse near the corner of East 11th Street and Thorne Road on the Port of Tacoma tide flats was once a hub of economic activity and headquarters for one of Tacoma's most prominent businesses. In 1965, Brown & Haley, the Tacoma candy-maker that produces Almond Roca and dates back to 1912, moved into the 116,000-square-foot building and remained there for more than 40 years. Seven years ago, the Port of Tacoma purchased the property, located at 1940 East 11th Street, for $3 million and continued to lease the warehouse, which was built in 1948, to the candy maker until August 2007, when a city building inspector "red tagged" the structure, citing two broken trusses and extensive roof leaks. The Tacoma Daily Index has been following the fate of the former Brown & Haley warehouse for nearly two years. Last year, the Port of Tacoma began to make plans to demolish the building ("Port of Tacoma poised to raze former Brown & Haley warehouse," Tacoma Daily Index, Feb. 29, 2012; "Port OKs demolition of former Brown & Haley warehouse," Tacoma Daily Index, March 1, 2012). One Port staffer told commissioners the building had reached the end of its useful life. Another staff member told commissioners any historic significance had been stripped away and the structure was basically a shell of a building. Last month, commissioners directed additional funds toward the demolition ("Port of Tacoma: Commission to learn more about former Brown & Haley warehouse demolition project," Tacoma Daily Index, Oct. 29, 2013; "Port OKs additional funds for former Brown & Haley headquarters demolition," Tacoma Daily Index, Nov. 1, 2013). The Port is expected to raze the building next summer in order to expand its operations. Evidence of the candy maker's presence still exists in some places. The building's trim is painted the familiar pink color of Almond Roca tins. And a faded sign that once directed delivery drivers to the receiving department still stands. Today, visitors will find windows boarded over and the entire 5.6-acre property ringed by a chain-link fence.
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LEGAL NOTICES BANKRUPTCIES LIENS ORDERS FEDERAL COURT AUDITORS OFFICE NEW BUSINESSES editor@tacomadailyindex.com