“I’m still pissed that folks tried to tie Murray Morgan Bridge redevelopment to this project.”

Mark it down to another case of Old Tacoma vs New Tacoma.

It is for the fear of the unknown that many in Tacoma cling to its industrial past. While other cities convert their industrial lands to cleaner and higher uses, we still have a giant gas station (Texas owned nonetheless!) and pulp mill sitting on prime waterfront land.

It is ironic that Simpson has played such an important role in Tacoma’s recent revival, yet it now holds us back with its smoke-stacks, steam-stacks, funky smells, and back room deals to kill redevelopment on the east side of the Foss.

Is it fear or greed or both that drives the critics? Do they know something the rest of us don’t?

First, the Valero suit was just what Voelpel said it was – extortion. Really, really lame.
As far as your question of fear or greed, it’s fear. But it’s a fear informed by precedent. According to a study conducted by the City of Seattle, a number of cities have created new zoning laws and buffer zones to protect industrial regions. The reason is simple – industry, whether we like it or not, is still a cornerstone of most urban economies. And when cities grow, incompatible uses create conflict. In nearly every case, industry loses.
Residents move into condos near an airport, and begin immediately to complain.
“What’s with all the planes?” they ask. Often, the next step is to call a lawyer.
Mike Cohen, smart man that he is, has asked tenants to sign agreements not to complain about noise. In most cases, residential or commercial developers are not so courteous.
I think that there has to be a point at which industry reaches a threshold – having taken it’s fair share of local land. We may be reaching that point now. There also is a natural evolution that occurs, transforming industrial properties into so-called “higher” uses. Think warehouses in Tukwilla becoming IKEA. Are we at that point in Tacoma? Probably, in some areas.
But that doesn’t mean we can forced to arbitrarily choose one sector over another every time someone wants to build condos near an oil pipeline or factory. Certainly not based on misguided notions of which use is “higher”. Because if it means higher paying jobs for people who didn’t go to college, industry is the “higher” use. If it’s providing a tax base and economic multipliers with which to continue to grow other sectors of the local economy, industry is the “higher” use. And so on.
Local officials are currently discussing “buffer” or transitional zones between traditionally non-compatible uses, which could help alleviate conflicts and pick up where the GMA leaves off. Hope it works.