It’s nice to see some investment going into some long-forgotten parts of downtown. The investments in these areas, like Galleria and McCarver Village, were entering uncharted waters when they were first proposed. Now it appears that those few daring ventures have become the catalysts for more improvements.

One might question the wisdom of building more condos in a soft market, but I applaud those that realize that the economy is cyclical: by the time many of these projects are completed, there will likely be more demand than there is now. Also, as condo living becomes more prevalent, the market will mature. There was a time when only a few urban pioneers wanted to live in places like Belltown, but now, condos are sold there before the building even breaks ground. Tacoma could be the same way in a couple years.

It’s also nice to see some more apartments coming onto the market. Not everyone who lives downtown wants to own a condo.

Kevin, since it’s a list of properties applying for the housing tax credit, it’s not too surprising it’s all housing related.

That said, I think the Class A focus should be the Pacific Ave core rather than up the hill, as these properties are.

mix use is better than all condos/apartments, but the real commercial that we need is dedicated Class A commercial…not in a mixed use building…..the stuff in the mixed use is great for retail facilites but no for a corporation to move their headquarters to…

Anyone notice the retail section of the Yakima Ave project is smaller than the Jefferson project? The Yakima Ave project was where MRED was going to put in a grocery store. For some reason I don’t think that is going to happen.

Well Urban Dogs is closing. The last I heard on The Esplande’s retail spaces was that they have a large (national chain?) restaurant going in but that was a while ago. They need to hurry up and get the hotel project going.

any idea what is going up at the corner of 15th and Yakima? The lot was cleaned up a few weeks back and was staked for construction about two weeks ago… but nothing has happened since.

On a similar note, does anyone know how much of the empty (blighted) lots are owned by the city above and around UWT? Some people have told me it consists of quite a bit of the area and I know it has come up on Exit 133 before.

Perhaps some of this land could be used for student housing.

On a similar note, does anyone know how much of the empty (blighted) lots are owned by the city above and around UWT? Some people have told me it consists of quite a bit of the area and I know it has come up on Exit 133 before.

If I recall correctly, it is about 4.2 acres. It was acquired by the City of Tacoma in 1998 during my first year on the City Council. It was selected as the preferred site for a new police station. After we acquired it, then Councilmember Crowley and myself heard about the Costco store on S 38th coming onto the market. We convinced the council that this would be a better site than the one across from the UWT. And as we all know, the city did buy the Costco site and constucted the new Headquarters for TPD.

The SW corner of 15th and Yakima is owned by Vision Investments LLC. They have done a few townhome projects in the Tacoma Mall MUC. So I would be it will be another townhome project going in there.

Does anyone else think that it is time for the city to get rid of the land south of 21st? It surely isn’t helping this town by holding on to it.

Townhomes? I hope not on he city’s property. That area needs some density.

All the city needs to do is put out a RFP (Request For Proposal) similar to what Federal Way just did for the AMC Theater site, 3 highrises are now planned there. The city can make the rules for the RFP (min density, amount of commercial, public space, etc) and see what comes on the table. I bet we would get multiple developers from around North America.

Right now the site sits as a major barrier to probably the fastest changing neighborhood in Tacoma. People don’t want to walk through a scary wasteland to get to downtown amenities.

Among Prium Bankruptcy rumors I have heard they are doing some major cost cutting at the Porpoise Landing project. Maybe cutting costs on paper and put the project up for sale or look for partners?

prium bankruptcy…ouch…..too bad we are doing such a *hitty job at making Tacoma a great city to move a company to…and retail…..if it wasn’t the demand would still be there for condos/etc…..oh well…...I hate to say I told you so…..but…I have a feeling I’ll be saying that for years to come…....after all we have such great leadership with vision….......

so…. if Prium is going bankrupt. what does this mean for the Winthrop?

Rich,

I have moments of pessimism as well, and often think, “f**k Tacoma, I wanna be somewhere where things are really happening…” What you have to realize, though, is that regardless of where you go, there will always be political leadership that only wants the status quo. Even in places like Portland, there are powerful people that object to any new development, high-density or not.

I share your views that much of the current City leadership lacks the vision to help create a truly world-class city. They are people, however, and their views can be changed. The City Council’s views are a reflection of the general populace. I would guess that the average Tacoman is opposed to more density—but this is because they have not been shown how density can be beneficial or even attractive. The minds of the citizens must be changed if the minds of the politicians are to support the type of development many of us are advocating for.

Probably the easiest way to get someone to ignore you is to insult them and accuse them of lacking vision. How would you feel if someone came up to you and told you that you’re an idiot for wanting 40-story office towers? That’s right, you would tell them to go to hell. When you take such a confrontational approach, you tend to dissuade people from actually listening to what you have to say.

I have myself struggled with human relations my whole life and am by no means an expert, but I can tell you from working with community leaders all the time that degrading them is the surest way to NOT get what you want.

I think Tacoma will eventually start to move toward what you and I consider to be the “right” direction, but support for that direction will only come from City Hall if we use a little tact in our advocacy.

Andre

I see what your saying…and I would agree if your just talking about a relationship between you and I…..but, when your in the public eye, you work for the public and part of that is hearing not only the nice stuff but hearing the crap from people that don’t agree not matter how much of a jerk they’re being…..also, if a leader did something just to go against someone, they wouldn’t be much of a leader….just my two cents…..ok, so usually I throw in a few dollars…....