TACOMA Metro & So. Sound Activity

[mSeattle]

Tacoma Metro (downtown and suburbs) and South Puget Sound activity tracking.

China-based investment firm proposes two-tower hotel-condo complex for downtown Tacoma
By John Gillie, Staff writer
April 11, 2014
http://www.thenewstribune.com/2014/0...#storylink=cpy

City officials will ask Tacoma City Council approval Tuesday to begin negotiations with a Chinese-owned development company that seeks to build a twin-towered retail, hotel and condominium complex on a city parcel adjacent to Tacoma's convention center.

The proposal by Yareton Investment and Management LLC calls for construction of a 300-room luxury hotel, 150 condominium units, a 400-car garage and a large retail space just south of the Greater Tacoma Convention and Trade Center. The convention center is located at South 16th and Commerce streets.

Yareton is a Seattle-headquartered subsidiary of the Shanghai Mintong Real Estate Co. Ltd.

The company, which is building a 250-room hotel on Pacific Highway South near Sea-Tac Airport in Des Moines, was one of five developers responding to Tacoma's request for information regarding hotel construction on the convention center parking lot site.

Yareton's proposal was the only one of the five which called for no city subsidies to aid the construction and operation of the hotel complex.

"It's a very solid proposal," said Elly Walkowiak, a city development manager. Yareton told the city the whole complex would represent a $200 million investment when completed.

A Yareton envisioned the complex built in what now is a parking lot at South 17th Street and Broadway, as two towers.

The first tower would include 10,000 to 60,000-square feet of retail space on the ground floor and parking beneath it. That tower would rise as high as 34 stories, making it the city's tallest. The tallest building in downtown Tacoma now is the 25-story Wells Fargo Plaza. The tower's lower floors would contain the hotel's 300 rooms while the upper floors would be devoted to condominiums.

A second tower rising 12 to 18 stories would be mostly devoted to residential condominium units.

Read more here: http://www.thenewstribune.com/2014/0...#storylink=cpy

[mSeattle]

School arts program gets space in Tacoma
By JOURNAL STAFF
http://www.djc.com/news/re/12068394.html


Photo courtesy of Neil Walter Co. [enlarge]

Tacoma Public Schools will decide how to renovate a building it is buying for Tacoma School of the Arts after the sale closes, likely late this month or in September, a district spokeswoman said.

[mhays]

The School of the Arts is a cool concept. They've existed since I'd guess the 1990s(?) and growing would be great. It's good for students to be close to arts organizations and transit, and it's good for Downtown Tacoma, even if they're not big spenders and high school art students (oh no, dyed hair!) might be off-putting to some people.

The towers would raise Downtown's game. Rejuvenation seems strongest in the waterfront/UW/museums/convention area, and this would add some gravitas and activity in that area, toward the CBD end.

[mSeattle]

Originally Posted by mhays

It's good for students to be close to arts organizations and transit, and it's good for Downtown Tacoma, even if they're not big spenders and high school art students (oh no, dyed hair!) might be off-putting to some people.

A real city has all types. There will be more "traditional" arts too I think, being near the theaters, auditoriums and galleries.

[chris08876]

Good to see these developments for Tacoma. One of the places I will visit by the end of August. The whole region is booming! Those are some lovely condos going up. They have a very European vibe to them.

[mSeattle]

August 15, 2014
Three Tacoma sites get $90K for cleanup
By JOURNAL STAFF
http://www.djc.com/news/en/12068856.html?cgi=yes

OLYMPIA — The state has given the Foss Waterway Development Authority a $90,000 grant to help clean up three brownfields along the Tacoma waterway.

The three sites could be redeveloped with office buildings or a mix of commercial and residential uses.

[shakman]

Nice to see Tacoma being represented on SSP. IMO Tacoma is the sleeping giant of real estate within MSA Seattle.

[mSeattle]

August 1, 2014
Rush starts Proctor Square in Tacoma
By JOURNAL STAFF
http://www.djc.com/news/co/12068323.html


Image courtesy of BCRA [enlarge]

Rush Commercial Construction broke ground last month on the $20 million Proctor Square project in North Tacoma for its parent, The Rush Companies. The site is adjacent to Mason Middle School, at North Proctor and 28th streets.

[mSeattle]

Point Ruston moving quickly to second phase
By John Gillie
Staff writerJuly 10, 2014
http://www.thenewstribune.com/2014/0...#storylink=cpy

For the ever-optimistic Mike Cohen, managing partner of the Tacoma’s largest mixed use development project, Point Ruston, reality is finally matching his dreams.

Construction activity at the site of the former Asarco copper smelter near Point Defiance Park is moving swiftly into the development’s second phase as Cohen tries to meet a growing demand for more waterfront apartments, condominiums and retail spaces.

The Copperline Apartments, the first major building in the multi-phase development, is 100 percent leased. The 21 water-view condominiums in the first phase of the Copperline Condominiums are sold out. Of the 22 condo units in the second phase of the Copperline only six remain available.

Read more here: http://www.thenewstribune.com/2014/0...#storylink=cpy



Rostislav Borisnicevien builds a concrete form for the next portion of The Copperline Condominiums at Point Ruston on Tacoma's waterfront, July 10, 2014. The Copperline Apartments are behind. PETER HALEY — Staff photographer

Read more here: http://www.thenewstribune.com/2014/0...#storylink=cpy

[mSeattle]

October 7, 2014
Rail spur now trail — and water filter
http://www.djc.com/news/en/12070537.html
By JOURNAL STAFF


An old rail spur in Tacoma is not only a pedestrian and bike trail, it's also a stormwater filter.

Prairie Line Trail-UWT Station is open at the University of Washington Tacoma. The trail includes a portion of the old Prairie Rail Line railroad spur and runs through the campus from South 17th to 21st Street.


Photo courtesy of Korsmo Construction [enlarge]

[mSeattle]

November 7, 2014
Pantages Theater reopens with larger stage
By JOURNAL STAFF
http://www.djc.com/news/co/12071682.html

An Oct. 25 performance by the Tacoma Symphony Orchestra was the first event held on the renovated stage at the Pantages Theater in downtown Tacoma.


Photo from Korsmo Construction

[mSeattle]

Tacoma reaches deal with hotel-condo developer
By Kate Martin and Kathleen Cooper
Staff writers | November 13, 2014 Updated 17 hours ago

The City of Tacoma and a private developer have reached a tentative agreement on how to go about building two 24-story towers of hotel rooms and condos downtown.

NOTE: The fully city council has to approve it on 11/18/14 and still, it will be two years from breaking ground.

Read more here: http://www.thenewstribune.com/2014/1...#storylink=cpy

[Vashon118]

Point Ruston updates...


Point Ruston 2014-11-28 by planet_lb, on Flickr

Century


Point Ruston (Century) 2014-11-28 by planet_lb, on Flickr


Point Ruston (Century) 2014-11-28 by planet_lb, on Flickr


Point Ruston (Century) 2014-11-28 by planet_lb, on Flickr


Point Ruston (Century) 2014-11-28 by planet_lb, on Flickr


Point Ruston (Century) 2014-11-28 by planet_lb, on Flickr


Point Ruston (Century) 2014-11-28 by planet_lb, on Flickr


Point Ruston (Century) 2014-11-28 by planet_lb, on Flickr


Point Ruston (Century) 2014-11-28 by planet_lb, on Flickr


Point Ruston (Century) 2014-11-28 by planet_lb, on Flickr


Point Ruston (Century) 2014-11-28 by planet_lb, on Flickr


Point Ruston (Century) 2014-11-28 by planet_lb, on Flickr


Point Ruston (Century) 2014-11-28 by planet_lb, on Flickr


Point Ruston (Century) 2014-11-28 by planet_lb, on Flickr


Point Ruston (Century) 2014-11-28 by planet_lb, on Flickr

Copperline


Point Ruston (Copperline) 2014-11-28 by planet_lb, on Flickr


Point Ruston (Copperline) 2014-11-28 by planet_lb, on Flickr


Point Ruston (Copperline) 2014-11-28 by planet_lb, on Flickr


Point Ruston (Copperline) 2014-11-28 by planet_lb, on Flickr


Point Ruston (Copperline) 2014-11-28 by planet_lb, on Flickr


Point Ruston (Copperline) 2014-11-28 by planet_lb, on Flickr


Point Ruston (Copperline) 2014-11-28 by planet_lb, on Flickr


Point Ruston (Copperline) 2014-11-28 by planet_lb, on Flickr

Stack Hill


Point Ruston (Stack Hill) 2014-11-28 by planet_lb, on Flickr


Point Ruston (Stack Hill) 2014-11-28 by planet_lb, on Flickr


Point Ruston (Stack Hill) 2014-11-28 by planet_lb, on Flickr


Point Ruston (Stack Hill) 2014-11-28 by planet_lb, on Flickr


Point Ruston (Stack Hill) 2014-11-28 by planet_lb, on Flickr


Point Ruston (Stack Hill) 2014-11-28 by planet_lb, on Flickr


Point Ruston (Stack Hill) 2014-11-28 by planet_lb, on Flickr

[Orlando]

Originally Posted by mSeattle

Tacoma reaches deal with hotel-condo developer
By Kate Martin and Kathleen Cooper
Staff writers | November 13, 2014 Updated 17 hours ago

The City of Tacoma and a private developer have reached a tentative agreement on how to go about building two 24-story towers of hotel rooms and condos downtown.

NOTE: The fully city council has to approve it on 11/18/14 and still, it will be two years from breaking ground.

Read more here: http://www.thenewstribune.com/2014/1...#storylink=cpy

Any word if the city council approved it on 11/18? Luvin' the design.

[peafair]

Good to see these developments for Tacoma. I guess it will boom the local economy by more population coming.

[mSeattle]

I took some new pictures in Tacoma this year. I should organize and share them.

[mhays]

Yes they did. Now the design and entitlement process starts.

[mSeattle]

November 19, 2014
Tacoma Art Museum opens new $16M wing
By JOURNAL STAFF
http://www.djc.com/news/co/12072046.html

Tacoma Art Museum's new wing is open, with four galleries that have doubled the size of TAM's exhibit space.

Museum officials said the $15.5 million expansion added 16,000 square feet.

The cafe was renovated, sheltered outdoor spaces were added and there is a new community art studio, space for a new store and an elevator that is bigger and faster.

The museum is at 1701 Pacific Ave.


Photo courtesy of Tacoma Art Museum [enlarge]

[mSeattle]

November 28, 2014
Amtrak station is planned for Freighthouse Square in Tacoma
By JOURNAL STAFF
http://www.djc.com/news/co/12072298.html



This would be an improvement from the current location/building.

[mSeattle]

Pierce County narrowly OKs $127M office deal with Wright Runstad
Feb 19, 2015, 7:13am PST
Marc Stiles
Staff Writer- Puget Sound Business Journal

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/m...deal-with.html

After years of planning, Pierce County is moving forward on the development of a large office building in Tacoma.

The County Council voted 4-3 Tuesday to OK construction of the 330,000-square project where approximately 1,300 people will work. Construction will start next month and is scheduled to wrap up in the fall of 2016.

Seattle real estate company Wright Runstad will manage develop of the project on the county-owned site where the Puget Sound Hospital operated before closing years ago. The property is at 3580 Pacific Ave., on the south side of Interstate 5 between Lincoln High School and Stanley & Seafort's restaurant.

The development will allow the county to bring together 19 departments and divisions now scattered across 14 locations. As a result, the county will eliminate 38 jobs, saving $4 million a year. The county also will no longer lease 150,000 square feet of space from private property owners. Combined, this will save what Councilmember Rick Talbert said will be millions of dollars in leases and staffing and maintenance costs.


NBBJ

The Pierce County Council has approved a plan to develop a 330,000-square-foot office building in Tacoma. Construction is scheduled to start in March.