Tacoma Daily Index, December 31, 2013

Page 1

402 Tacoma 1019 Pacific Avenue, Avenue S., Suite Suite 1216 200 PO Box 1303, TACOMA, WA TACOMA, 98402 WA 98401 PHONE (253) 627-4853 FAX (253) 627-2253

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2013

Vol. CXXIII, No. 251

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 Tacoma GrafďŹ ti

File Photo By Todd Matthews, Editor Most major cities struggle to combat graffiti, and Tacoma is no exception. To that end, City Hall made several efforts this year to curb such illegal activity. In September, City officials announced a pilot program aimed to remove graffiti from private property within 72 hours ("Pilot project aims to quickly remove Tacoma graffiti," Tacoma Daily Index, Sept. 20, 2013; "City Hall to step up graffiti removal efforts in Tacoma," Tacoma Daily Index, Sept. 24, 2013). The program, which is currently being rolled out, calls for the City of Tacoma to hire a contractor to remove graffiti on private property located within so-called "key corridors" that include downtown Tacoma, bicycle and pedestrian routes, and areas with a high concentration of commercial properties, hotels, and multi-family properties, according to a presentation made by City staff to Tacoma City Councilmembers. The graffiti clean-up service would be provided free up to three times for private property owners who elect to participate in the one-year pilot program. If the same property is tagged more than once, City staff would work with property owners to take preventive measures in order to continue to receive free clean-up services. "It's a great opportunity to take those highly visible corridors and give them some special attention," said Tacoma City Manager T. C. Broadnax. Earlier this month, City officials announced incidents of graffiti throughout Tacoma are on the rise: 471 reported incidents so far this year, compared to 280 reported incidents last year ("Tacoma offers tips to combat graffiti," Tacoma Daily Index, Dec. 16, 2013). City Hall and Tacoma Police Department officials encouraged property owners to move objects vandals can stand on away from walls; place motion-activated lights around properties to deter graffiti vandals; create barriers along walls using plants with thorns; and use a protective sealer or coating to protect brick or cement surfaces. On a related note, the popular Graffiti Garage, a downtown haven for artists to legally spray paint their work, closed on Nov. 1 ("Downtown Tacoma's Graffiti Garage artist venue to close," Tacoma Daily Index, Oct. 25, 2013). The owner of the privately-owned garage, located at 723-737 Broadway, decided to limit its use to that of a commercial parking garage, citing feedback from neighboring businesses and concerns regarding safety and liability, according to City officials.

NOTE TO READERS

In observance of New Year's Day, the Tacoma Daily Index will not be published on Weds., Jan. 1. Publication will resume on Thurs., Jan. 2.

Visit our Web site at at www.tacomadailyindex.com

INSIDE:

LEGAL NOTICES BANKRUPTCIES LIENS ORDERS FEDERAL COURT AUDITORS OFFICE NEW BUSINESSES editor@tacomadailyindex.com


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.