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Tacoma Youth Symphony and chamber orchestras; and the modern Theatre On The Square. This international and progressive city has been cutting edge for years. It was the first city in the state with light rail service, it is among the ten largest container ports in North America, and boasts the nation’s largest, municipally owned telecommunications system. Diversity, affordability and convenience make Tacoma the perfect place to work, live, or play. TACOMA STATISTICS
of downtown is the Scottish, link-style Chambers Bay Golf Course (host of the 2015 US Open Championship.) Baseball fans will appreciate Tacoma’s long tradition of minor league baseball in Cheney Stadium with the Rainiers, the Seattle Mariners’ AAA farm team. Tacoma is a dream come true for the arts aficionado. In the heart of the Museum District, the famed Chihuly Bridge of Glass boasts three striking glass art displays by Tacoma native, Dale Chihuly. The span links the Museum of Glass, featuring glass art and a hot shop where visitors watch artists create with molten glass, with the Tacoma Art Museum, Washington State History Museum, historic Union Station, and the University of Washington campus. Link Light Rail connects the Museum and Theatre Districts to the nearby Dome District, home of the Tacoma Dome Events Center, historic Freighthouse Square shops and restaurants, and the LeMay America’s Car Museum. Tacoma’s vibrant performing arts scene attracts national and international productions. Three main venues serve the Broadway Center for the Performing Arts: the 1918 Louis XIV-style Pantages Theater featuring drama, dance and comedy; the 1918 Beaux Arts-style Rialto offering 74
Population: 200,400 City Hall: 747 Market St, (253) 591-5000, www.cityoftacoma.org Chamber of Commerce: 950 Pacific Ave., #300. Mail: PO Box 1933, 98401, (253) 6272175, www.tacomachamber.org. Tacoma Regional Convention & Visitors Bureau: 1119 Pacific Ave, Ste. 1400, 98402, (253) 627-2836, www.traveltacoma.com Post Office: (9 locations) main station— 1102 A St, Tacoma 98402 (253) 627-4026 Library: (8 branches) main branch — 1102 Tacoma Ave S, (253) 292-2001 School District: Tacoma School Dist. No. 10, (253) 571-1000 Utilities: Gas: PSE, (888) 225-5773 Electricity: Tacoma Power, (253) 502-8600 Water: Tacoma Water, (253) 502-8247 Sewer: Tacoma Wastewater, (253) 591-5588 Telephone: CenturyLink, (800) 244-1111 Refuse Collection: Tacoma Solid Waste, (253) 591-5543. Typical Tax Rate: $17.17/$1,000 assessed valuation Median Household Income: $50,439 Average Rent: $1,000 Median Prices: Homes $166,000; Condos $144,000 Est. Travel Time/Distance To: Seattle=39 mins/34 miles. Olympia=36 mins/31 miles
TUKWILA >>> Just south of downtown Seattle, Tukwila has something for everyone—excellent hotel accommodations, shopping, countless dining options, recreational fun, and some of the most diverse neighborhoods in the United States. Tukwila’s Westfield Southcenter, the Northwest’s largest
GREATER SEAT TLE INFOGUIDE • 2014-15
shopping mall, draws millions of shoppers annually. Local parks, biking and walking trails, a pool, golf course, and community center offer hours of enjoyment. Annual Tukwila celebrations include the Backyard Wildlife Festival each May, fireworks on the 4th of July, and the Heritage and Cultural Festival in the fall. The City is proud to be the home of Starfire Sports, which is the official training facility for the Seattle Sounders FC, the region’s first major league soccer team. Tukwila also has great transportation options with walkable access to a light rail station, commuter rail station, Amtrak station, and a major bus transit station. The City offers some of the best places to live and work that are only a short drive, train or bus ride to downtown Seattle. TUKWILA STATISTICS Population: 19,160 City Hall: 6200 Southcenter Blvd, 98188, (206) 433-1800, www.tukwilawa.gov Chamber of Commerce: SW King County, 14220 Interurban Ave S, Ste. 134, Tukwila 98168. Mail: PO Box 58591, Seattle 98138, (206) 575-1633, www.swkcc.org. Seattle Southside Visitor Ctr: 3100 S. 176th St, Seattle 98188 (877) 885-9452, www.SeattleSouthside.com Post Offices: 225 Andover Park W, (800) 275-8777 Library: 4060 S 144th, (206) 242-1640 School District: Tukwila School Dist., (206) 901-8000 Utilities: Gas: PSE, (888) 225-5773 Electricity: Seattle City Light, (206) 6843000. PSE, (888) 225-5773 Water/Sewer: City of Tukwila, (206) 433-1849 Telephone: CenturyLink, (800) 244-1111 Refuse Collection: Waste Management, (855) TUKWILA Typical Tax Rate: $14.27/$1,000 assessed valuation Median Household Income: $43,333 Average Rent: $1,000 Median Prices: Homes $224,500; Condos $80,000 Est. Travel Time/Distance To: Seattle=15 mins/11 miles.Bellevue=25 mins/18 miles
Photo ©Bob Baltzell
The Washington State Fair is the largest single attraction held annually in the state of Washington.