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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 2014
Vol. CXXIV, No. 53
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
Votes loom on BIA contract renewal, expansion plans By Todd Matthews, Editor Tacoma City Council heard the first reading of an ordinance Tuesday that will renew the City of Tacoma's agreement with the Business Improvement Area (BIA) to provide a variety of services in Tacoma's primary commercial area. The BIA, which was established in 1988, provides services such as security patrols on bicycles; support for the Tacoma Police Department; coordination of downtown security officers; an e-mail alert system for downtown property owners and managers; pressure washing, sweeping, and cleaning of sidewalks and other common areas; installation of street banners; graffiti removal; providing timely information for potential investors; and overseeing Web sites and regular print publications that promote downtown Tacoma. BIA services are paid for through property assessments self-imposed by property owners within an 84-block area that runs from South 7th Street to South 21st Street and 'A' Street west to Court 'D.' "The on-call security is a pretty amazing thing to have in a downtown community," City of Tacoma Economic Development Specialist Debbie Bingham told councilmembers Tuesday. "They operate Monday through Sunday, all week long, so that's a really good part of this BIA." According to Bingham, the 2014 BIA budget is $935,520: 51 per cent ($487,000) will be spent on security; 32 per cent ($304,100) will be spent on maintenance; 10 per cent ($98,420) will be spent on administration; and seven per cent ($64,000) will be spent on community relations. BIA revenue for 2014 includes $829,365 (87 per cent) from property assessments, and $124,155 (13 per cent) in reserve funds. "I would like to note that we haven't had rate increases for over five years," BIA Administrator and Tacoma-Pierce County Metropolitan Development Director David Schroedel told councilmembers. "So it's one of the few things that hasn't changed in price in over five years." If the ordinance is approved, it would continue the BIA for the 27th year beginning on May 1, 2014 and continuing through April 30, 2015. Councilmembers are scheduled to hear the final
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TDI Archives: BIA news coverage
To read the Tacoma Daily Index's complete and comprehensive coverage of downtown Tacoma's BIA, visit our archives online for the following articles: Downtown Tacoma BIA contract up for annual renewal (Tacoma Daily Index, March 6, 2014); City Hall News: McMenamin's BIA Expansion, Knights of Pythias turns 150 and Enviro Services strategic plan (Tacoma Daily Index, February 21, 2014); Tacoma City Council renews BIA agreement (Tacoma Daily Index, March 28, 2012); Tacoma City Council to vote on downtown BIA agreement (Tacoma Daily Index, March 23, 2012); Work completed on downtown street improvement project (Tacoma Daily Index, September 1, 2011); Chamber hires Metropolitan Development Director (Tacoma Daily Index, August 17, 2011); Tacoma City Council to vote on downtown BIA agreement (Tacoma Daily Index, March 4, 2011); BIA hosts free lunchtime walking tours (Tacoma Daily Index, September 23, 2010);
Tacoma City Council could renew BIA agreement (Tacoma Daily Index, March 19, 2010); BIA: More downtown TPD coverage in 2010 (Tacoma Daily Index, November 6, 2009); Lunchtime entertainment slated for Tollefson Plaza (Tacoma Daily Index, June 15, 2009); Business Improvement Area to be considered for 22nd year (Tacoma Daily Index, March 9, 2009); Downtown BIA extension approved (Tacoma Daily Index, February 20, 2008); 10-year extension of downtown BIA to be considered (Tacoma Daily Index, February 19, 2008); On eve of 10-year renewal, changes ahead for downtown BIA (Tacoma Daily Index, February 13, 2008); Public hearing, ordinance regarding extension of downtown BIA (Tacoma Daily Index, February 11, 2008); All eyes (and wheels) on the street (Tacoma Daily Index, April 19, 2007); City Council updated on BIA plans for 2003 (Tacoma Daily Index, February 26, 2003).
reading of the ordinance and take a final vote during their meeting on Tues., April 1. Also BIA-related, the City of Tacoma heard the first
reading of an ordinance and held a public hearing Tuesday to consider changing the boundaries of the BIA to include the future McMenamin's Elks Lodge brewery and hotel. Washington State law allows the BIA footprint to be expanded, but only after more than 50 per cent of property owners within the proposed area of expansion show their support, and after a public hearing is scheduled. According to City of Tacoma staff, McMenamin's, which owns four parcels of land (most notably, the former Elks Lodge at 565 Broadway) within the proposed expansion area, has asked to participate in the downtown Tacoma BIA. No one from the public commented on the issue during the public hearing. However, Councilmember Robert Thoms was in favor of the expansion. "I'm supportive of the concept of this simply because I have had a very good working relationship with the BIA and many partners that constitute the BIA," said Councilmember Thoms. "I find that the participants in the program are very happy with the service they are provided and it actually enhances peoples' experiences downtown when you have people walking the streets, taking care of these parcels -- both land owners and other partners." Councilmembers are scheduled to hear the final reading of the ordinance and take a final vote during their meeting on Tues., April 1.
3 artists selected for TAM outdoor sculptures
Posted online Tues., March 18 The Tacoma Art Museum has commissioned three artists to create outdoor sculptures as part of the museum's building expansion. Works by Marie Watt and Julie Speidel will be unveiled when the new Haub Family Galleries, which will showcase The Haub Family Collection of Western American Art, open in late Fall 2014. A sculpture by Scott Fife will be unveiled in Spring 2015. "We selected proposals from key Northwest artists to create ambitious new works that will activate the spaces around the museum," said Tacoma Art Museum Director Stephanie A. Stebich. "These works will be an inspiration for visitors to Tacoma and the museum for generations to come." The Tacoma Art Museum's expansion project, designed by Olson Kundig Architects, will double the museum's gallery space and increase the museum's visibility in downtown Tacoma.