(30. May 2008, 16:43 by David Boe) ~ The Next Big "Must-Do"Imagine Tacoma – Ride the Bridge
Now that the Murray Morgan Bridge has been selected as one of Washington State’s Top Ten Most Endangered Properties by the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation, what about thinking of the structure as more than a functional means of having vehicle access to the Port of Tacoma?
How about the Bridge as an interactive part of recreational Tacoma? Re-establish the ramped access from the bridge deck to Dock Street to allow for both pedestrian and bicycle circulation to wind down to the waterway. Incorporate one of the bridge pylons as a covered climbing wall. Reconfigure the bridge deck for a lane of vehicle traffic each way with the rest area devoted to pedestrian and viewing opportunities. Consider an area of the stationary bridge deck as a launch site for a zip-line with new areas under the structure for a pocket skate park?
Add vertical circulation towers at each end of the span to provide direct pedestrian access to the Foss Esplanade Walkway below – with the West Tower connecting to a new Municipal Dock Multi-Modal Facility and the East Tower giving access to the ‘D’ Street Promenade to Urban Waters and a relocated Cheney Stadium. Both towers could have passenger lifts designed with large visible counter-weights ala the technology of the adjacent lift bridge.
And what about getting the lift bridge in smooth operational shape so the deck can be raised on a regularly scheduled and posted basis? How about designing the revamped bridge deck to allow for passengers to take the ride (for a small fee of course)– and enjoy a most unique view of the City and Port of Tacoma? The Duluth/Superior Aerial Lift Bridge is a sister bridge that is also a major attraction in the area– why can’t the MMB be a ‘must-do’ for anyone visiting Tacoma? And purchase of an erector set model of the bridge is the ‘must-have’ souvenir of the experience (available at the History Museum Gift Shop located next-door to the Chihuly Bridge).
Incorporate the bridge into the connecter of a Murray Morgan 3-Miler Route around the Foss Waterway: A figure 8 walking and biking route from the Northend of Downtown (with a direct connection to the Walk the Water route) to the Southend around Waterway Park. Work the route into the Tacoma Marathon and perhaps consider starting the Daffodil Parade on the East Side of the Waterway before it turns South onto Pacific Avenue?
While the City seems to be continually looking for a renaissance ‘icon’ structure for downtown– why not imagine a renovated and rejuvenated Murray Morgan Bridge that already HAS historical and engineering significance and can connect the East Side of the Foss Waterway into Downtown?
David Boe has been the Principal Architect for BOE architects in downtown Tacoma for the past 13 years. David's kept married to his best friend for the past 27 years and he writes for us because it's cheaper than therapy. He avoids jelly beans or candy canes but will get up close and personal with chocolate chip cookies anytime.
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It’s incredible that the icon that everyone is looking for is right in front of them. So many of these suggestions are just so obvious to a casual observer that they seem to be hiding in plain sight. Anyone who has ever taken the stairs between the bridge deck and Dock St. knows how much potential the MMB has for being a tourist attraction. So much of the MMB is fenced off, awaiting demands to make it useful again.
I think the demand for incorporating some of these design ideas will come when more development occurs near the Bridge. Even on the west side of the waterway, there is little activity. But when the waterfront properties south of the bridge are redeveloped and if Foss Harbor is built, the new businesses and residents will demand better access to downtown. Same thing for the east side, when Urban Waters is completed.
I would love to see some vancouver-style condo development on the east side of the foss. then you would get somthing like the view from grandville island in vancouver. I also really like the new stadium idea.
2 | Posted by Michael S. | May 31, 09:46 PM
Awesome vision, David!
It amazes me that the city keeps the old wooden-plank road ramps on the bridge closed. At least open it up for bikes! Then again, I wouldn’t want to take a spill- those slivers would be hell to remove!
I like the idea of riding the bridge lift. Along thhose same lines, maybe the bridge house could be rented out – for honeymoons and such.
I’ve proposed that the bridge be turned into a park for AirStream trailers. Imagine how many AirStreams could be situated on the bridge and provide a unique urban housing opportunity. Perhaps the Kalakala could be moored below the bridge. Tacoma’s version of Jim Rockford’s Paradise Cove.
4 | Posted by crenshaw sepulveda | Jun 1, 01:04 AM
I’m always impressed with the vision and creativity of others (which I sorely lack). David’s plans are impressive, as I’m sure others’ would be as well.
However, vision and creativity are never lacking on the ol’ Exit133. What is in short supply are specific ideas/plans for funding these conceptual projects.
Since it appears that public funding is the inherent assumption, then the compelling question as I see it is how to convince the masses that these types of endeavors matter — and more specifically, how might this project benefit them. Of course, a motivated, visionary city government would help. Do we at least have that?
Alas, perhaps my AirStream and I might now have a place to call home.
5 | Posted by Rick | Jun 2, 06:25 AM
the clear channel fine counter is up to 7million now Just sayin’
6 | Posted by RR Anderson | Jun 2, 12:28 PM
Though I am not a big fan of the bridge, this proposed plan is enough to give me pause. This is a good example of modifying something to be useful to the community in such away that it attracts visitors as well, sort of like Granville Market in Vancouver. I really like it, but I’m not to sure about giving rides on the lift portion. In the past I have seen it stick in the open position for hours even when in supposedly good working order.
7 | Posted by Joe P | Jun 7, 09:25 PM
How about renovating the bridge and turn it into “the symbol” of Tacoma. For example, the San Francisco Gateway bridge or the Sydney Harbour Bridge in Australia.
Besides renovating the bridge, perhaps a museum or a public observation deck could be added to it. Imagine the views from there. Also, wouldn’t it be great every new years to have fireworks launched from the bridge over the Thea Foss? Sydney already does this to ring in the new year.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sydney_Harbour_Bridge
As for the practical matter of getting development on the east side, perhaps the Tacoma Rainiers could build a new baseball stadium immediately south of the bridge on the east side. People could park in downtown and walk across the bridge for the game. That would truly make for a unique experience.
http://www.feedtacoma.com/forum/tacoma- … -ballpark/
8 | Posted by Isaac Alexander | Jun 8, 11:04 AM
All of these suggestions are fine and dandy.
Let’s face it folks, we don’t live in a fine and dandy world. These things take money. Millions of dollars of money.
Who is going to come up with it when Cities and the County can’t make their budgets NOW?
A new Baseball Stadium? They just dropped millions into Cheney. Think their going to dump it in any near-future decade? I have flashbacks from bygone days once in a while myself, gang. It’s fun to dream.
10 | Posted by J. Cote | Jun 9, 05:16 PM
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