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THURSDAY, JANUARY 23, 2014
Vol. CXXIV, No. 15
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
Tacoma seeks developer for downtown hotel near Convention Center
Posted online Weds., Jan. 22 Image Courtesy City of Tacoma The City of Tacoma issued a Request for Interest (RFI) Tuesday seeking developers interested in constructing a hotel and mixed-use project on a nearlytwo-acre site adjacent to the Greater Tacoma Convention and Trade Center in downtown Tacoma. "It is the City's goal to attract mid- to large-sized convention business that will more effectively utilize the Convention Center's 79,180-square-foot capacity and enhance local economic impact," the RFI states. "Furthermore, the City desires to incorporate public parking as part of a hotel-anchored mixed-used project. Developing synergies with a hotel immediately adjacent to the Convention Center has always been the City's goal for this site." Downtown Tacoma hotels that currently serve the Convention Center include Hotel Murano, Courtyard by Marriott, and Holiday Inn Express. The site, which is located at Broadway and South 17th Street, includes an existing 1.76-acre surface parking lot, as well as a 0.16-acre portion of an existing street which leads to Convention Center parking. According to the RFI, the property will put on the market for $6.29 million. "It is the City's vision that the site will accommodate a minimum 250-key hotel with a four-star flag, mixed-use development, including retail, and parking," the RFI states. The deadline for developers to submit their letters of interest expires at 5 p.m. on Mon., Feb. 24. More information is available online at cityoftacoma.org.
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Design discussion resumes on Freighthouse Square Amtrak Station Image Courtesy Freighthouse Square The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) will host two public meetings in Tacoma this month to discuss a new Amtrak station at Freighthouse Square. The new station is part of the Point Defiance Bypass, which will reroute passenger trains to an existing rail line along the west side of Interstate 5 through South Tacoma, Lakewood and DuPont. On Wednesday, the City of Tacoma and the Dome District Association announced a local architect will partner with City staff, Freighthouse Square officials, WSDOT, Amtrak, and the community to determine the best use and integration of a new station by completing space and conceptual feasibility analyses, as well as considering the siting of live-work spaces and historic preservation of retail and facade enhancement. A design report is due in March. "Many were at first excited by the news that the State decided to relocate Tacoma's passenger rail station at Freighthouse Square," said Tacoma City Councilmember Robert Thoms, who reportedly met with State Representative Jake Fey and WSDOT leaders last week to underscore the need for additional local input into the project. "However, after a December meeting to share initial design ideas, it was clear that we needed more of a Tacoma voice and vision for this project. The vitality and continued growth of the Dome District is extremely important and we will remain vigilant to our local needs. Our needs are complex because this is a transit-oriented district. We were able to
protect investments like the D Street overpass and, as we move forward, the example of making sure such investments aren't obstructed are the type of Tacoma-specific needs we will protect." "This news is a tremendous victory for the Dome District and Tacoma," said Dome District Association President Janice McNeal. "Our voices were heard. The City engaged our state partners to ensure this station meets our community's needs. After all, we will be the ones using and living with the Amtrak station every day." The first public meeting will be held on Thurs., Jan. 23, between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. The second public meeting will be held on Thurs., Jan. 30, between noon and 2 p.m. Both meetings will be held at the Tacoma Municipal Building, 747 Market St., Room 708, in downtown Tacoma. Both meetings will have similar formats, beginning with a presentation on WSDOT's design process, followed by input from attendees on the architectural elements of the Amtrak station. "Fitting a modern rail station within the Dome District's urban fabric is the ultimate goal," said WSDOT Cascades Rail program manager David Smelser. "We encourage community members to learn where we are in the process and to share their ideas on moving forward." "The City of Tacoma looks forward to partnering with WSDOT on completion of architectural renderings to maximize benefits both to Freighthouse Square and the entire Dome District as Amtrak relocates," said City of Tacoma Community and Economic Development Director Ricardo Noguera. "We want to ensure this is a win-win for WSDOT, Dome area businesses, and all of Tacoma." More information is available online at wsdot.wa.gov/projects/rail/pnwrc_ptdefiance.