2
Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce
www.tacomachamber.org
1
TABle OF cONTeNTS
19
15
Table of ConTenTs Overview
Community Profile Chronicle: What’s Happening Around Tacoma
06 09
Transportation
By Land, Air, and Sea
Ou Branching Out
13 15
Saluting Our Military
A Soldier’s Hometown
16
13
Biz Buzz
Power Through Connections
Standing Strong
The Center For Urban Waters
Thea Foss Waterway
17 19 20 20
www.tacomachamber.org
3
TABle OF cONTeNTS
Communitylink.com
1 800-455-5600
production production manager director of publication design managing editor
matt pRiCE amanda WHitE lauRa WilCOXEn
copywriting
Jay nEHRkORn
proofreader
CHRistina REEsE
director of photography
kaCEy WOltERs
photography
kaRiE HamiltOn
lead design web site creation & support director of media purchasing
JOE gOEtting JOsH CHandlER diana VaugHn
business development director of business development director of outside sales marketing specialist business development manager marketing consultant customer service director customer service representative
gEORgE pRudHOmmE dEBBiE mOss sHaWna Williams BOnniE EBERs JamEs ROgER dalE katHy RislEy
maRy kOpsHEVER
A Vision of Improved Imaging
amy sCHWaRtzkOpF ad traffic ad design
CaROl smitH JOsH muEllER
Franciscan Hospitals
administrative support administrative support
katHy HagEnE CaROl smitH
account support
tERRi aHnER
MultiCare
21 23 24
tRiCia CannEdy human resources assistant mailroom technician
Come Home to Tacoma
kaCiE ROBinsOn
advertising ad research
Medical Record
29
tEREsa CRaig mElinda BOWlin
City of Neighborhoods Right at Home
Entertaining, Enlightening, Empowering
information technology publishing systems specialist
CHRistOpHER millER
executive leadership
ABOUT
chairman and founder
CRaig Williams
chief financial officer
RHOnda HaRsy
This book is published by CommunityLink and
distributed through the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce. For advertising information or questions
24
From Gravel to Greatness Shop and Dine in Pierce County Take Me Out to Tacoma
Report Card
or comments about this book, contact CommunityLink at 800-455-5600 or by e-mail at info@CommunityLink.com. FOR INFORMATION
Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber
of Commerce, 950 Pacific Ave., Ste. 300, Tacoma, WA
State-of-the-Art K–12
98402, telephone 253-627-2175, fax 253-597-7305, www.tacomachamber.org © 2010 Craig Williams Creative, Inc., 4742 Holts Prairie Road, Post Office Box 306, Pinckneyville, IL 62274-0306, 618-357-8653. All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced without the expressed written consent of the publisher.
College Town U.S.A. Community and Technical Colleges Educational Alternatives
4
Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce
25 26 28 29
30 33
The Museum Scene The World’s a Stage
34 35 36 37 39
iNdeX OF AdverTiSerS
indeX of adVerTisers
Please support the advertisers who helped make this publication possible.
ADVERTISER ...............................................PAGE
ADVERTISER ...............................................PAGE
ADVERTISER ...............................................PAGE
Annie Wright School ......................................27
Freighthouse Square.......................................27
Plastic Supply, Inc. .........................................17
Baymont Inn & Suites .................................2, 30
GEICO .................................................................34
Puget Sound Beverage...................................18
Blitz & Co. Florist...............................................6
Hampton Inn & Suites.....................................40
Quick Stop Licensing Inc...............................24
Brookdale Senior Living ................................27
Heritage Bank ..................................................10
Rainier Dental ..................................................39
Business Network Support –
Heritage Chiropractic Clinic –
Robblee’s Total Security, Inc.........................20
Angel Computer Systems, Inc....................17
William J. Stillwell, DC ..............................24
Rose House .......................................................20
King Oscar ..........................................................8
Sound Credit Union .........................................20
Academy .......................... Inside Back Cover
Merrill Gardens ...............................................31
State Farm .........................................................18
Commencement Bank....... Inside Back Cover
MultiCare .............................Inside Front Cover
Tacoma Community College ..........................36
Connelly Law Offices .......................................1
Neptune Society ..............................................10
Tacoma Lutheran Retirement Community.....5
Courtyard by Marriott –
Orchard Park Health Care
Tacoma Musical Playhouse and
Charles Wright
Tacoma Downtown ......................................32
and Rehabilitation Center ............................6
Tacoma Children’s Musical Theater ........39
Curves ................................................................20
P & J Machining, Inc. .......................................5
TWOKOI Japanese Cuisine ...........................35
Dwyer Pemberton & Coulson, P.C. ...............26
Pierce College .................................................28
University of Puget Sound .............................28
Foss Waterway Seaport .................................39
Pinnacle – www.rentintacoma.com ...............
Veneer Chip Transport ....................................17
Franciscan Health System.............................22
............................................Outside Back Cover
Walmart .............................................................10
www.tacomachamber.org
5
Overview
Quality of Life Movie theaters within 15 miles ............................ 33 Restaurants within 15 miles ..... 2,669
Population – 2009
Public golf courses within 15 miles ........................... 154
Tacoma .........................................203,400 Pierce County............................... 813,600 Source: Washington State OFM
Housing Median home price, Tacoma (2009) .......................$200,000 Median home price, Pierce County (July 2009) ....$230,000 Sources: Money magazine; Northwest Multiple Listing Service
6
Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce
Libraries within 15 miles ............... 67
Education
Museums accredited by AAM within 30 miles .................... 9
Population over age 25 High school graduate or higher........................................83.6% Bachelor’s degree or higher ...........20%
Ski resorts within 100 miles .......... 10
Colleges/universities/ professional schools within 30 miles ................................... 15
High temperature in July.........75.7°F
Junior colleges/technical schools within 30 miles ................................... 21
Mileage to Seattle .......................... 34
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau; Money magazine
Median commute time in minutes ........................ 19.9
Low temperature in January ...............................33.5°F Sources: Money magazine “Best Places To Live 2009”; Rand McNally
Overview
Top Employers: All Sectors
Rank
1
2
3
Organization
Employees Industry
U.S. Army Fort Lewis (Total)
42,231
Uniformed
30,800
Civilian
11,431
Local Public School Districts (17)
13,736
U.S. Air Force McChord AFB
10,301
Civilian and Reserve 6,818
Defense
Education
Defense
Uniformed 3,483
4
Washington State Employees 7,889
5
MultiCare Health System 6,204
Health Services
6
Franciscan Health System 4,406
Health Services
Gov. / Public Offices
Madigan Army Medical Center 4,023
7
Source: Economic Development Board for Tacoma-Pierce County, 2009
Civilian 2,572
Military Health Care
Uniformed 1,271
8
Pierce County Government 3,299
9
Washington State Higher Education 2,912
Colleges
10
Washington State National Guard 2,476
Defense
City of Tacoma Business and Tax Incentives
Office and Retail • Washington State Job Skills Program • Wired City advantages • City of Tacoma business loan programs • City of Tacoma Tax Credit for new job creation • Exemption from City of Tacoma Tax for Internet service providers • Tacoma’s Neighborhood Business District Program Industrial • Industrial Revenue Bonds • Washington State sales and use tax exemption on machinery and equipment • Washington State Job Skills Program • Wired City advantages • City of Tacoma business loan programs • City of Tacoma B&O Tax Credit for new job creation
Gov. / Public Offices
Historic Building Rehabilitation • Federal Investment Tax Credit Program (20 percent federal income tax credit for rehab costs) • City of Tacoma financial incentives for historic properties Renewal Community/ Community Empowerment Zone A selected geographic area within the City of Tacoma has been designated as both a Renewal Community by the Federal government and a Community Empowerment Zone by the State of Washington. Employers who locate within the RC/CEZ and meet certain hiring requirements may be eligible for tax credits as well as financing and contracting programs.
www.tacomachamber.org
7
Overview
ACCRA Cost of Living Index, 3Q2009 Services
Composite
Groceries
Housing
Utilities
Transport
Health Care
Misc. Goods
San Jose, CA
158.5
129.6
256.1
123.3
117.9
114.5
113.2
Seattle, WA
125.7
107.5
152.3
81.1
121.5
122.1
124.5
Anchorage, AK
125.4
127.3
136.5
101.7
129.5
128.4
120.4
Tacoma, WA
106.6
112.4
114.6
83.4
104.8
116.7
103.6
Richmond, VA
105.3
104.2
102.9
118.8
99.8
110.0
105.1
Syracuse, NY
98.6
96.6
87.1
116.1
101.5
92.2
104.0
Orlando, FL
98.2
95.7
86.7
100.8
103.8
98.7
106.5
Austin, TX
94.9
91.8
80.6
87.1
92.3
96.3
111.8
Charlotte, NC
92.3
100.7
78.1
97.7
97.3
103.0
96.9
Colorado Springs, CO
91.9
100.0
91.1
83.1
89.0
106.2
91.5
Twin Falls, ID
91.8
92.8
82.8
95.7
94.5
94.5
97.0
U.S. average for all indices is 100. Source: Council for Community and Economic Research Analysis by Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce
Competitive Broadband
The greater Tacoma metropolitan area is in the unique position of actually having competitive broadband. Along with Comcast, Qwest, and Clearwire, the area also enjoys broadband service from Click! Network, the largest municipally owned telecommunications network in the country. Tacoma’s many connectivity options are the reason why the city lays claim to being “America’s #1 Wired City.” Visit www.cityoftacoma.org for more information on City of Tacoma incentives, as well as information on state and federal incentive programs. To view available commercial properties in Tacoma, visit www.tacomaspace.com and www.districtspace.com.
Economic Indicators
Taxable Retail Sales Tacoma, 2008 ....................... $4.29 billion Source: Department of Revenue Washington State
Labor Force, Pierce County, July 2009 Total labor force........................... 402,590 Employed ..................................... 366,090 Unemployment rate (Oct. 2009) .....8.7% Tacoma job growth 2000–2008 .....4.02% Source: Washington State Employment Security Department, Money magazine
Income Tacoma MSA, median hourly income, March 2009 ..................................$17.47 Tacoma median family income, 2009 ........................................... $58,709 Sources: Washington State Employment Security Department; Money magazine
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Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce
Overview
Chronicle What’s Happening Around Tacoma
loCal TriVia The name “Tacoma” originates from the Native American name for Mt. Rainier, “Tacobet,” or “Mother of the Waters.” Mt. Rainier received its current name from British Captain George Vancouver in 1792, who named it after his friend, Rear Admiral Peter Rainier.
Welcome Back to Main Street: Tacoma’s Go Local Campaign
W
hile “Main Street” shopping at small, independent stores is virtually gone in many American cities, Tacoma’s consumer and locally owned business communities are being reunited through a movement known as “Go Local.” “Go Local Tacoma” isn’t just a battle cry, it’s a growing organization committed to building a community that supports and is supported by local, independent businesses. The result has been the creation of a brand and logo that not only provide a constant reminder to buyers, but also clearly identify “Go Local”
businesses as places where residents can spend dollars that will stay in and benefit their hometown. What are the advantages of buying local products? The obvious answers would be to reduce the costs and carbon footprint associated with long-distance shipping and to get fresher foods while strengthening the social capital in the area. But beyond those advantages, the “Go Local” campaign points out some less measurable but no less real benefits like the rebirth of community and a sense of ownership and pride for everyone. “We have an opportunity to make a shift in mindset,” said “Go Local” President Patricia LecyDavis. “Consumers feel value in knowing that their dollar is directly going to support their neighbors.”
The outer structure of historic Stadium High School was built to be a luxury hotel for the Northern Pacific Railroad. The hotel never happened, but the structure was adapted and opened as a school in 1906. It was one of the filming locations for the movie 10 Things I Hate About You. Built in 1911, Tacoma’s Union Station began as the western terminus of the Northern Pacific Railroad. The station was designed by Reed & Stem, the same architects responsible for New York’s Grand Central Station. Cartoonist Gary Larson, creator of “The Far Side,” grew up in Tacoma. During a 30-day power shortage in the winter of 1929–1930, Tacoma was provided with electricity from the engines of the aircraft carrier USS Lexington.
www.tacomachamber.org
9
Overview
To Market To Market
T
he best produce is fresh produce, and buying fresh means buying local. The farmers markets of Pierce County bring local growers together so that health-conscious shoppers can get the freshest, healthiest, and most flavorful food possible. Along with tasty produce, vendors also supply fresh flowers, arts and crafts, and a variety of other local foods and products. Many of the markets also offer entertainment, demonstrations, and other fun activities. More than just a trip to the store, the farmers markets of Pierce County are social events that bring the community together.
6th Avenue Farmers Market
http://tacomafarmersmarket.com/Markets.aspx
North Pine between 6th and 7th avenues in Tacoma, Tuesdays from 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., June through September The Broadway Market
http://tacomafarmersmarket.com/Markets.aspx
Downtown Tacoma on Broadway Street between 9th and 11th, Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., mid-May through midOctober Proctor Farmers’ Market
http://www.proctorfarmersmarket.com
North 27th and Proctor Street in Tacoma, Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., April through November Puyallup Farmers’ Market
http://www.puyallupmainstreet.com/farmers_ market.html
Pioneer Park in Puyallup, Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., May through October Steilacoom Farmers Market
http://steilacoomfarmersmarket.org
Corner of Lafayette and Wilkes Street, Steilacoom, Wednesdays from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., June through August
10
Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce
Overview
A Great Place to Gather Tacoma’s combination of convenience, affordability, and large-scale venues make the city an excellent place to bring people together. Supported by easy access via SeattleTacoma International Airport and major freeways, as well as a host of convenient lodging and dining options, Tacoma provides the perfect location for large gatherings. Greater Tacoma Convention and Trade Center (GTCTC) http://gtctc.org
With its magnificent glass walls and spectacular views of Tacoma’s natural beauty, the GTCTC brings a touch of class to trade shows, conventions, and corporate events. The center features over 118,000 square feet of functional meeting space, including a 13,650-square-foot ballroom, and is flexible enough to handle small meetings or conferences of up to 4,000 people. The 50,000-square-foot, column-free exhibit hall has drive-on access and offers power, water, phone, and dataport connections via access points throughout the floor. Voice and highspeed Internet connectivities extend to all event and pre-function spaces, and WiFi access is available throughout the facility.
acoustics have made the dome a premier concert location, and the combination of open space and the attached 28,800-squarefoot, multi-use exhibition hall draws many trade shows, festivals, and corporate meetings each year.
Enjoy a Winter “Staycation” in Pierce County Fresh snow and scenic mountains make Pierce County a prime destination for family ski trips and romantic winter getaways. Both Crystal Mountain and Mt. Rainier offer natural beauty and winter fun that will make the cold season your favorite time to take a vacation. Crystal Mountain
www.skicrystal.com
With a 3,100-foot rise and over 2,600 skiable acres, Crystal Mountain is the largest ski area in the state of Washington. The mountain’s 11 lifts offer terrific views en route to over 50 named runs that range from gentle, beginner slopes to heart-pounding steeps, glades, chutes, and black runs. Instruction and guided skiing or snowshoe tours are available by reservation to help guests get the most from their mountain experience. Warm up and grab a bite at the peak in Washington’s highest-altitude restaurant, The Summit House Bistro, or enjoy delicious ethnic foods at the mid-mountain Campbell Basin Lodge. A variety of dining choices await at the base of the mountain as well, plus a rental shop and sports shop to cover any equipment needs. Mt. Rainier National Park
www.nps.gov/mora/
Tacoma Dome
http://tacomadome.org
At 530 feet in diameter and over 150 feet tall, the Tacoma Dome is one of the largest wood-domed structures in the world. Designed to be flexible, the facility has many seating configurations to accommodate a variety of attractions and audiences ranging from 3,000 to 23,000 people. Since opening in 1983, it’s been the home of six professional sports franchises and has played host to the Goodwill Games, the NCAA Women’s Basketball Final Four, and the U.S. Figure Skating Championships. Outstanding
Just six miles from Crystal Mountain is the northeast entrance to the majestic Mt. Rainier National Park. Mt. Rainier ranges in elevation from 1,610 to 14,411 feet, and the park encompasses over 235,000 acres. Winter activities within the park include skiing, sledding, snowmobiling, camping, and rangerguided snowshoe tours. The park and its surrounding area also make a great destination for cross-country skiers, with trails available for everyone from beginners to experts. Lodging Crystal Mountain Hotels operates three distinct hotels with “ski in-ski out” convenience
at the base of Crystal Mountain, while the slope-side chalets of Crystal Mountain Lodging Suites provide the comforts of oneor two-bedroom condominiums. Just minutes from Crystal Mountain and located near the Mt. Rainier National Park entrance, the three-diamond accommodations of Alta Crystal Resort include amenities like fireplaces, a hot tub, a heated pool, and family activities.
Call of the Wild: Northwest Trek Wildlife Park www.nwtrek.org
Northwest Trek Wildlife Park in Eatonville is much more than a typical drive-through wildlife park — it’s a 732-acre education in the conservation of North American wildlife. Seeing wildlife up close is always exciting, and Northwest Trek makes it possible to see some of the continent’s most interesting species in natural surroundings. The park is home to over 200 native Northwestern animals, including wolves, bison, elk, grizzly bears, and many more. Visitors can view these amazing creatures from the comfort of a narrated tram tour or by setting off on foot to explore the many forested pathways and nature trails. Educating youth about wildlife is one of the park’s primary missions. At the Cheney Family Discovery Center, children get the opportunity for an interactive experience that includes live animals and engaging activities that teach lessons about Washington’s indigenous wildlife and habitats. At the Baker Research Cabin, visitors can learn about the secret lives of wild canines while getting hands-on with the tools and methods of real wildlife researchers. Behind the scenes, the staff coordinate with outside agencies in many research projects that benefit wildlife and habitat. Since 1993, Northwest Trek has contributed over 30 trumpeter swan cygnets from nesting pairs at the park to support restoration of the species in Midwestern flyways. They’re also working with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to help the recovery of the pygmy rabbit and are engaged in a USDA research project to help control bison populations in and around Yellowstone National Park.
www.tacomachamber.org
11
Overview
Four Seasons of Festivals Spring
The Daffodil Festival www.daffodilfestival.net
For more than 75 years, the Daffodil Festival has been a Pierce County tradition that promotes the area’s youth and creates goodwill within the community. The festival is actually a series of annual events that begin in the fall with Princess selection. Festival activities become frequent from February through April and include dinners, dances, coronation of the Queen and her Court, a fun dog show, a marine parade, sporting events, and more. The culmination of the festival is the Grand Floral Street Parade, which takes place in early April.
Zoobilee is a black-tie, outdoor gala that includes animal encounters, live entertainment, a silent auction, and a wide variety of cuisine and beverage options from over 60 of the area’s restaurants, caterers, and drink providers. Ethnic Fest
www.ethnicfesttacoma.com
In Tacoma, diversity is a reason to celebrate. Thousands of residents and visitors come together at Wright Park for two days each July to participate in Ethnic Fest. This free event features the art, crafts, music, ceremonies, dances, and foods of the many cultures that have influenced the Puget Sound region. Live entertainment is provided on the festival’s two stages, including comedy, magic, and a variety of music. The International Fun Zone provides activities
Defiance Park, this weekend festival gives guests the chance to savor the flavor of cuisine from dozens of Tacoma’s restaurants and food-product companies. Along with the fabulous food, there’s also the Wine & Roses wine-tasting exhibit, several beer gardens, and opportunities to shop for arts and crafts. Entertainment includes live musical and comedy performances on multiple stages, a carnival with amusement rides, and a host of fun activities for the whole family. Winter
Fantasy Lights at Spanaway Park 253-798-3330
Pierce County Parks and Recreation is pleased to present “Fantasy Lights at Spanaway Park,” the largest holiday drive-through display in the Northwest, featuring over 300 elaborate Fall displays with thousands and thousands of sparkling lights. Summer Open 5:30 to 9 each evening from Thanksgiving through Freedom Fair www.freedomfair.com New Years Day, this beautiful 2.25-mile drive along There’s no better place to Spanaway Lake has become a celebrate America’s indepenmemorable lakeside tradition dence than at the Tacoma for the entire family. Visitors Freedom Fair. Hosted by the of all ages thrill to the magical Tacoma Events Commission world of animation and imagievery 4th of July, the fair Puyallup Fair www.thefair.com nation, where bears fly kites, brings fun and excitement snowboys kick field goals, to the thousands who gather The Puyallup Fair is one of Washington’s greatest attractions. Penguins slide down an igloo, along the Ruston Way waterOver 1.1 million people converge on the Puyallup Fair and Events Santa sails a ship, frogs hop front. The event includes a Center each September for this 17-day event. The fair has exciting on lily pads, and reindeer leap wide variety of live music, an rides for thrill-seekers, the Sillyville and Toonzville areas for kids, and over your car. Several new amazing air show, the “Show an array of interesting agricultural and artistic exhibits. Live entertainattractions are added yearly. & Shine” car show, and fun ment includes a concert series featuring top-name artists, the biggest activities for everyone in the rodeo in the Northwest, and free musical and comedic performances. family. The Freedom Fair also And of course, no fair is complete without great games and fantastic First Night www.firstnighttacoma.org features the world’s longestfood. The fair always begins on the Friday after Labor Day; for those running beach pole-vault who can’t wait for September to come around, there’s also a four-day Ring it in right at First competition, which attracts Puyallup Spring Fair in April. Night! Each New Year’s Eve, competitors from throughout Tacoma welcomes the coming the Northwest. Fantastic food year with style and artistic flare and shopping are available throughout the and demonstrations that will engage and at its First Night celebration. This familyday, and the fair concludes with a magnifieducate guests of all ages, and dozens of friendly, alcohol-free event focuses on visual cent fireworks display. vendors come together in the marketplace to and performing arts, with fun performances create a unique, multicultural shopping and by musicians, poets, storytellers, dancers, dining experience. actors, puppeteers, and visual media artists Zoobilee www.thezoosociety.org taking place both on the street and at venues throughout the city. The celebration kicks off Each year on the third Friday evening of Taste of Tacoma www.tasteoftacoma.com with a parade and culminates with a specJuly, residents of the South Sound area get tacular display. dressed in their finest to dine and dance the Celebrating its 25th year, Taste of Tacoma evening away at the Point Defiance Zoo and is a family event that grows larger and Aquarium. Presented by the Zoo Society, more delicious every summer. Held at Point
12
Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce
Sea
TRANSPORTATION
LAND Air by
Commute
Highway System
Interstate 5, which runs the length of the West Coast from Canada down to Mexico, passes directly through Tacoma. Several multilane freeways connect I-5 to communities east and west, and the I-705 freeway spur connects I-5 directly to downtown Tacoma. State Highway 16 is connected to I-5 in the central part of Tacoma and passes over the Narrows Bridges on its way to Gig Harbor and the Olympic Peninsula. There is currently a toll of $4 to cross the Narrows Bridge through a toll booth.
Transit Pierce Transit 3701 96th St. SW, Lakewood 253-581-8000 • www.piercetransit.org
Pierce Transit’s public bus service provides 52 local routes in Pierce County. The fleet buses are wheelchair-accessible, and most run on compressed natural gas. Pierce Transit also offers SHUTTLE (specialized transportation for people with disabilities), vanpools, and ride-sharing resources, as well as intercounty express services to Seattle, Sea-Tac Airport, and Olympia. Sound Transit
Highways 167, 161, and 512 connect with Puyallup and the South County.
Sound Transit 401 S. Jackson St., Seattle 206-398-5000 • www.soundtransit.org
Highway 7 (Pacific Avenue South) is a straight connection from Tacoma’s downtown to Spanaway Lake and Spanaway Park to the south.
ST Express buses connect the urban centers across three counties with fast, frequent, reliable transit service. ST Express buses and park-and-ride facilities connect DuPont, Lakewood, Tacoma, Puyallup, Sumner, and
and
Unmatched Travel Systems
Gig Harbor to other regional centers, including Seattle, the University of Washington, Sea-Tac Airport, Bellevue, and Everett. Sounder commuter trains offer a convenient transportation option that connects the Puget Sound area from Tacoma to Everett. In the south end, Sounder offers nine round trips between Tacoma and downtown Seattle, including stops in Puyallup, Sumner, Auburn, Kent, and Tukwila. An extension south from Tacoma to Lakewood is currently under construction. Tacoma Link, Sound Transit’s light rail system, is an ideal solution for commuters. Operating in its own right-of-way, Tacoma Link connects the Tacoma Dome Station (a regional hub for local and express bus and commuter train service) with five light rail stations in Tacoma’s downtown area. Tacoma Link operates on a 1.6-mile line, and trains run every 10 to 20 minutes.
www.tacomachamber.org
13
TrANSPOrTATiON
Washington State Ferries 2901 Third Ave., Suite 500, Seattle 206-464-6400 • 800-843-3779 www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/
Washington State Ferries, a service of the Washington State Department of Transportation, operates 28 ferries throughout the Puget Sound area, making it the largest ferry fleet in the United States. Ten routes serve eight counties in Washington and British Columbia. The ferry service conveniently connects Point Defiance with Vashon Island.
time of the day or night to all types of aircraft. TNA also has “international gateway” status with U.S. Customs. Thun Field (Pierce County Airport) 16715 Meridian East, Puyallup 253-841-3779 www.co.pierce.wa.us/pc/abtus/ourorg/pwu/airport/
Located just south of Puyallup, Thun Field offers a 3,650-by-60-foot lighted runway. The field is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, except during inclement weather conditions. Services for small aircraft include hangar and tie-down rentals, flight training, fuel, avionics sales, and aircraft repair.
alone, this independent municipal corporation handled over $36 billion worth of trade goods. The 2,400-acre port is the perfect location for logistics facilities by virtue of its connection to two transcontinental railroads and easy access to major highways. It is also an important economic engine for South Puget Sound, with more than 43,000 familywage jobs in Pierce County and 113,000 jobs across Washington connected to Port of Tacoma activities. Rail
Tacoma Rail 2601 SR 509 North Frontage Road, Tacoma 253-502-8819 • www.tacomarail.com
Rail
Amtrak 1001 Puyallup Ave., Tacoma 800-USA-RAIL • www.amtrak.com
Amtrak offers two daily routes from the Tacoma station. “Cascades” gives riders a view of the natural beauty of the Northwest as it travels from Eugene, Oregon, through Tacoma on its way to Vancouver, British Columbia. The “Coast Starlight” route connects Seattle to Los Angeles, with Tacoma being the first of 27 stops.
Tacoma Rail is a municipally owned, selfsupported railroad governed by Tacoma’s Public Utility. As part of the North American Rail Network, its connections include seven Class 1 railroads and more than 550 shortline and regional railroads. It is directly connected with two transcontinental railroads — Union Pacific Railroad and Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway — as well as the regional Puget Sound and Pacific Railroad. Tacoma Rail also directly serves Frederickson Industrial Area and both Port of Tacoma and Port of Olympia. Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway
Travel
253-591-3028 • www.bnsf.com
Air
BNSF Railway is the product of hundreds of railroad lines that have merged over 150 years. One of those historic railroads was the mighty Northern Pacific, which factors prominently in Tacoma’s history. Today, BNSF is a vital source of transportation for local, national, and international freight.
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac) 17801 Pacific Highway South, Seattle 206-433-5388 • www.portseattle.org/seatac/
Operated by the Port of Seattle and situated just 20 miles north of Tacoma, SeattleTacoma International Airport is ranked as the 17th-largest airport in the United States. In 2008, Sea-Tac saw over 345,000 total aviation operations and served more than 32.1 million passengers. The airport’s 28 airlines currently offer non-stops to 76 domestic destinations and 22 international cities.
Union Pacific 503-872-1993 • www.up.com
Freight Tacoma Narrows Airport (TNA) 1302 26th Ave. NW, Gig Harbor 253-853-5844 • www.cityoftacoma.org
TNA is a general aviation public airport located about six miles west of Tacoma. It has a 5,002-foot runway, full IFR capabilities, a control tower, and 24-hour weather reporting. The airport is accessible at almost any
14
Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce
Sea
Port of Tacoma One Sitcum Plaza, Tacoma 253-383-5841 • www.portoftacoma.com
Port of Tacoma, one of the largest container ports in North America, provides a major gateway to Asia and Alaska. In 2008
Union Pacific Railroad is a vast network of railways that services 23 states as it extends from the heartland of the United States to the West Coast. UP operates key north–south corridors and is the only railroad to serve all six major gateways to Mexico. It offers critical freight hauling services for the agricultural, automotive, chemical, energy, and manufacturing industries, as well as transporting consumer goods.
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
Improvement projects associated with Sea-Tac continue to make travel to the Puget Sound area more eco-friendly and user-friendly for the millions of people who utilize the airport each year. In November 2008, Sea-Tac opened a third runway, reducing delays during lower visibility conditions and during peak traffic periods. The project also upgraded a nearby wetlands area to the point that salmon have been seen spawning in a creek only 200 yards from the active runway. Construction continues on a new 23-acre rental car facility, which will include a five-story structure to meet increasing demands at the airport. The facility will house approximately 10 full-service rental car companies and accommodate around 5,400 vehicles. Construction of the $419 million project is expected to create over 3,000 jobs; it is anticipated that the facility will open for business in 2012. Sea-Tac has expanded the capacity of its Cell-Phone Waiting Lot to nearly 100 spaces. The lot was created to free up traffic congestion caused by drivers waiting to pick up passengers near the baggage claim area. The expanded lot reopened in July 2009. In January 2009, the Port of Seattle Commission approved funding to design a pre-conditioned air project at Sea-Tac to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and airline fuel consumption. The system would provide special hookups for gated aircraft to utilize pre-conditioned
air piped from the terminal. Yearly emission reduction would be the equivalent of taking 13,000 cars off the road. Sound Transit In November 2008, voters in the Central Puget Sound region approved a 15-year plan to expand commuter services in the three-county Sound Transit District. The project will increase both bus and rail services throughout Pierce, King, and Snohomish counties. The Sound Transit (ST2) plan calls for a 17 percent increase in bus service hours between 2009 and 2020. The most rapid expansion is taking place in the highestneed corridors, including an increase in the number of round-trips along Interstate 5 from Tacoma to Seattle. Under ST2, commuter rail service between Tacoma and Seattle will increase 65 percent. The Lakewood-Tacoma-Seattle line will see a permanent station in Tukwila and upgrades to other stations along the route. Completion of the entire system is planned for 2023, with the overall investment being around $17.9 billion. Benefitcost analysis shows that within 10 years of completion, the quantifiable public benefits of ST2 will exceed the costs of construction. Making Tracks to Lakewood With a population of almost 60,000 and a location just a few miles southwest of Tacoma, the City of Lakewood is an important part of the Pierce County community. Several years ago, Sound Transit recognized the need for better connections between Lakewood, South Tacoma, and their northern neighbors. For now, ST Express bus
service shadows what will become Sounder commuter rail service to South Tacoma and Lakewood. While new stations and ST Express service have added convenience for Lakewood and South Tacoma commuters, bus service was never the end game. Sound Transit has turned its attention to the tracks that will connect the new stations directly to the Tacoma Dome Station and points beyond by means of Sounder commuter trains. Seven miles of track, signals, and crossings are being reconstructed. Work began in April 2009 with a $4.6 million boost from the federal stimulus package. Sounder trains should be pulling in at the South Tacoma and Lakewood stations in 2012.
The ORCA Card: A “One-Stop Shop” for Sound Area Commutes www.orcacard.com Public transportation providers in the Puget Sound area have teamed up to make paying for daily commutes simpler and more efficient. Instead of needing correct change, tickets, and multiple passes, commuters can now use their ORCA cards — One Regional Card for All — to pay for public transit through a single electronic fare system. The ORCA card is a smart card that can be loaded with the user’s agency and regional pass information, as well as a prepaid E-Purse. The ORCA card can also be registered, which adds the security of balance protection and replacement if the card is lost, stolen, or damaged. Regional partners accepting the ORCA card include Community Transit, Everett Transit, King County Metro Transit, Kitsap Transit, Pierce Transit, Sound Transit, and Washington State Ferries. The system made its debut with limited roll-out in April 2009, which is being followed by staged implementation throughout the public transit systems. www.tacomachamber.org
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SAlUTiNG OUr miliTArY
SECTION 3
New Neighborhood Developments in Fort Lewis
he rapid growth of Fort Lewis is a blessing in many ways, but it has also come with challenges. From 2004 to 2009, the population of Fort Lewis military personnel and their dependents rose 60 percent, with additional growth anticipated. On-post housing has struggled to keep up; only 24 percent of Fort Lewis’ assigned personnel were living on post, with the remainder scattered throughout neighboring communities, dealing with issues like daily commutes and home-ownership concerns during deployment. Fort Lewis has responded with an extraordinary new on-post housing plan. Rather than simply constructing an installation to house military families, Fort Lewis is building a community that will enhance their quality of life. In the coming years, walkable residential neighborhoods with multi-story shopping and service areas, dining and entertainment options, identifiable town centers, and improved public transportation will give
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soldiers and their families a post that feels like a hometown. The transformation of Fort Lewis began with its ongoing privatized housing venture to improve existing housing stock and build new homes on the base. That project will ultimately result in 2,781 newly renovated homes, 951 brand-new homes, 40 new park/ play areas, and four community centers. Two other projects are also under way to create a regional hub in the center of this growing community. The Town Center project will create new streetscapes, storefronts, and a community center and will provide 220 town homes and apartments to create a recognizable downtown area. Adjacent to Town Center will be the Freedom Crossing lifestyle center, a $90 million, 456,000-square-foot retail and entertainment destination that will combine national retailers, restaurants, and movie theaters in a pedestrian-friendly environment. Revitalization plans were largely influenced by input from the soldiers themselves.
Joint Base Lewis-McChord In 2005, the Base Realignment and Closure Commission identified a number of military facilities that it felt could be combined to streamline operational efficiency, including the Fort Lewis Army Base and McChord Air Force Base. These two officially joined in February 2010 to create Joint Base Lewis-McChord. Upon completion of the merge, Lewis-McChord became the largest military installation on the West Coast. Base services are expected to continue or expand for everyone involved, and the transition to final operational capability is anticipated to take place in September 2010.
BiZ BUZZ
SECTION 4
The Chamber: Making a Difference, One Business at a Time
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hamber President & CEO David Graybill calls advocacy “one of the Chamber’s chief roles and strengths.” “Our job is to speak out for a strong economy that provides opportunity and supports quality of life,” Graybill explained. “We are aggressive at identifying and shaping issues, lobbying at every level of government, and working with public officials and regulatory agencies.” With over 1,200 members, the Chamber is the area’s foremost business organization. “We have established a reputation as a hard-hitting, powerful, connection-building Chamber.” Graybill said. “We speak out for economic strategies and for public policy initiatives that will help build a positive business environment and a stronger, more effective community and region.” The Chamber’s role extends to state and national levels as well. The Chamber annually sponsors one of the longest-running community leaders’ trips to Washington, D.C., and the Pentagon to show support for the region’s large military population. For more than 125 years, the Chamber has been representing the interests of regional businesses. Today, the Chamber provides leadership opportunities, volunteer programs, and business-building initiatives that focus on the critical priorities of the region. As businesses and communities are more dependent on each other for success, the Chamber’s role has evolved. Today’s Chamber also helps build stronger communities. Business Network Support Design, Implement, Secure, Maintain Since 1986
Angel Computer Systems, Inc.
Don Brabham, MCP – President • don@angelcom.com 9125 39th Ave. SW • Lakewood, WA 98499-4489 Tel: 253-584-5906 • Fax: 253-584-9279 www.angelcom.com
www.tacomachamber.org
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BIZ BUZZ
Annual Chamber Events
July City Center Luncheon
August FPS New Educators Breakfast Tacoma New Educators Luncheon
September FPS Wacky Golf Tourney Tacoma Delegation to Alaska
January City Center Luncheon Leadership Tacoma-Pierce County begins
March Healthy Breakfast Showcase
April City Center Luncheon G eorge Francis Train International Business Commemorative L eadership Tacoma-Pierce County Graduation Luncheon Leadership Tacoma-Pierce County Retreat Tahoma Environmental Business Award
October Annual Meeting & Breakfast Business EXPO
May
November
Howard O. Scott Citizen Soldier of the Year Award Washington-to-Washington, D.C., Advocacy Trip Simpson/KeyBank Chamber Golf Classic FPS Best of Business Awards
City Center Luncheon John H. Anderson Military Citizen of the Year South Sound Technology Conference
December June Evergreen Fleet Cruise Spotlight on Business Awards University Place/Fircrest Business Showcase
Public Officials Holiday Reception Horizons Economic Forecast & Pierce County Economic Index (PCEI)
Tacoma Angels: Helping Startups Fly www.tacomaangelnetwork.com
Established in 2006 by the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber, Larry Kopp of Globe Capital, and John B. Dimmer of FIRS Management, the TacomaAngel Network (TAN) brings the enthusiasm of early-stage entrepreneurs, the experience of seasoned professionals, and critical startup capital together for the good of the community. TAN is a nonprofit forum for accredited investors — successful entrepreneurs, retired executives, and business leaders — who provide investment capital, strategic advice, technical expertise, and mentoring to early-stage companies or companies embarking on major expansion efforts. TacomaAngel Network provides members with access to a steady flow of promising entrepreneurs who need “risk” capital. The ultimate goal is to help investors make profitable investments while fueling the growth of early-stage companies in the Pacific Northwest. “We are in a challenging time in our country and in Tacoma’s financial future,” said current TAN Chairman Brian Haynes. “Now more than ever, the wealth of experience and financial seeding that angel investors can offer companies is a viable alternative to traditional forms of funding for businesses small and large.”
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Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce
BiZ BUZZ
Community and DaVita Work Together for Jobs in Tacoma
T
he continued growth of kidney care provider DaVita and its regional headquarters in Tacoma has been good for both the company and the city, but it hasn’t been without its challenges. As DaVita looked ahead toward more growth in the coming years, the company also recognized that the time had come to find new, more flexible office space. The community jumped in and worked with them to keep the support center and its hundreds of jobs in Tacoma. “The city worked with the Economic Development Board (EDB) and allies in a group called the Tacoma Partnership to put forward a comprehensive package for DaVita,” said Community & Economic Development Director Ryan Petty. “Congressman Norm Dicks agreed to chair the effort, and we all put our best effort into it. Our first step was an inperson meeting with the company, led by their top officer. We listened hard to what he had to say in that meeting, with the goal of discovering the key issues, obstacles, and challenges that needed to be met.”
Space that met DaVita’s needs opened up in the Columbia Bank Tower downtown, and the company has committed to staying in Tacoma. “DaVita has approximately 900 employees and has potential to grow, so this win cannot be overvalued,” said Petty. “Keeping an existing employer like DaVita is especially important, not only because 70 percent of a community’s job growth comes from indigenous employers, but also because of the stability it creates within our downtown from a sector which continues to experience growth.” On May 29, 2009, DaVita Vice President and Controller Jim Hilger was quoted in The News Tribune saying, “Tacoma is a great location for many of DaVita’s important support operations. The City of Tacoma and the Economic Development Board for Tacoma-Pierce County have gone out of their way to assist DaVita during our search for solutions to our local office space needs.”
“DaVita has approximately 900 employees and has potential to grow, so this win cannot be overvalued.” – Ryan Petty
www.tacomachamber.org
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BIZ BUZZ
The Center for Urban Waters Protecting Puget Sound
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n April 15, 2009, Tacoma celebrated the groundbreaking of a $37.8 million facility that further illustrates its commitment to being an environmentally friendly city. It has long been the goal of city leaders to create a research center to address issues affecting urban bay communities. The construction of the Center for Urban Waters on the Thea Foss Waterway will soon make that goal a reality. The center will provide over 51,000 square feet of office and laboratory space to house a community of environmental scientists, analysts, engineers, and policy makers engaged in developing creative solutions to restore and protect Puget Sound.
Thea Foss Waterway From Vacant to Vibrant
O
ver a century ago, Tacoma’s waterfront teemed with industrial enterprise. The Thea Foss Waterway was no exception — the western terminus of the Northern Pacific Railroad made it one of the city’s hottest spots for sawmills and maritime activity. Although Thea Foss was still home to numerous viable industries, many of the companies that once made their home on the waterway had moved by the 1980s. The aftermath created challenges for the city, including the cleanup of several sites along the waterway via the EPA Superfund program. But today, the western waterfront along this 1.5-mile inlet is an important part of Tacoma’s economic and cultural scene. The waterway is now home to a number of cultural attractions. The Museum of Glass and Chihuly Bridge of Glass give unique flare to the waterfront landscape and provide a world-class contemporary art venue. The Foss Waterway Seaport offers an educational opportunity in marine science, while the Working Waterfront Museum gives visitors
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Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce
The new facility will house staff from the city’s environmental services analytical laboratories and science and engineering division, which have outgrown their current facilities. Puget Sound Partnership, a state agency charged with the protection and restoration of Puget Sound, will also establish an office at the center. The University of Washington Tacoma will lease a portion of the facility for environmental research being done in conjunction with Port of Tacoma. By bringing these groups together in a stateof-the-art research facility, leaders hope to encourage increased collaboration that will spur new research developments. The Center for Urban Waters is expected to be complete and at full occupancy in 2010. Community partners hope it will attract a growing community of world-class researchers and inspire new solutions for maintaining healthy urban bay ecosystems.
the chance to explore maritime life in the early days of this storied port town. Public parks now anchor both the head and mouth of the waterway, and the entire stretch of waterfront is being lined with a beautiful esplanade to accommodate pedestrians, cyclists, skaters, and public events. Meanwhile, private developments along the waterway have brought about a variety of mixed-use facilities. At Thea’s Landing, developers have created 188 apartments, 47 condominiums, and over 19,000 square feet of retail space. The restored 1904 Albers Mill now houses both loft apartments and the Traver Gallery, and the redevelopment of Foss Harbor upland will include condominiums and office space. Other marina developments on the waterway, such as Dock Street Marina, offer transient moorage with modern amenities and convenient access, making Tacoma an appealing destination for recreational boaters. Dry stack boat storage is now available at Foss Landing as well. With each passing day, the Foss Waterway continues to be re-energized, and it’s transition from vacant to vibrant has been one of Tacoma’s critical stepping-stones from its past to its future.
medical record
SECTION 5
Carol Milgard was not only a long-time Tacoma resident and philanthropist, but she was also a 30-year breast cancer survivor. Married to the late Gary Milgard, founder of Milgard Windows, Carol is remembered as a woman with great philanthropic vision and a heart for community service. She passed away in 2007, but the Gary E. Milgard Family Foundation, which Carol and Gary established in 2000, continues. The foundation made significant donations to support the establishment of a centralized breast imaging facility in Tacoma, and the center now wears her name as a means of inspiring patients and honoring her legacy of generosity.
A Vision of A Improved Imaging The Carol Milgard Breast Center
round four years ago, Dr. Khai Tran of TRA Medical Imaging in Tacoma realized that increasing breast cancer awareness wasn’t translating into an increasing number of experienced mammographers. In fact, what he saw was a disturbing trend that was leading Tacoma toward a significant net loss in breast imaging specialists in the years to come. His response to that trend was to lobby for a new facility, focused on breast health issues, that could draw in or develop more highly experienced providers. Dr. Tran’s efforts came to fruition in February 2009 with the opening of the Carol Milgard Breast Center, a $16 million investment in the well-being of Tacoma area residents. The center is a collaboration of the three largest providers of breast imaging services in the Tacoma area: TRA Medical Imaging, Franciscan Health System, and MultiCare. By combining their resources with additional support from the Gary E. Milgard Family Foundation, they have created a place where patients in need of breast screening can receive specialized care and a timely diagnosis in a non-threatening atmosphere.
Because the Carol Milgard Breast Center is focused on breast imaging, its nine radiologists have a high level of expertise in that discipline. Services include the latest in breast ultrasound, MRI, and biopsy technologies, as well as digital mammography and DEXA bone density imaging. A special effort has been made to ensure that the center is sensitive to the anxiety often associated with these tests, with an environment that is uniquely comfortable, quiet, and respectful of patients’ privacy. The Carol Milgard Breast Center offered a new level of breast imaging expertise to 11,000 patients in its first 18 weeks alone. For more information visit: www.carolmilgardbreastcenter.org
www.tacomachamber.org
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FRANCISCAN HOSPITALS
A
t Franciscan Health System hospitals and clinics in Tacoma and throughout Pierce County, highly skilled doctors, nurses, and other providers use the newest medical and technological advancements to provide the best medical care possible.
WORLDCLASS MEDICINE IN PIERCE COUNTY
Franciscan hospitals, clinics and other facilities in Pierce County include: St. Joseph Medical Center: 1717 S. J St., Tacoma, 253-426-4101 St. Clare Hospital: 11315 Bridgeport Way, Lakewood, 253-588-1711 St. Anthony Hospital: 11567 Canterwood Blvd., Gig Harbor, 253-530-2000 Franciscan Hospice House: 2901 Bridgeport Way, University Place 253-534-7000 St. Anthony Sleep Disorders Center, St. Anthony Medical Building: 4700 Point Fosdick Drive, Gig Harbor, 253-853-2999 St. Clare Sleep Disorders Center: 11307 Bridgeport Way SW, Lakewood, 253-985-6951
This occupational health clinic specializes in prevention and treatment of workplace injuries and illnesses.
Port of Tacoma Clinic: 1930 Port of Tacoma Road 253-272-6677
Franciscan also has hospitals in Federal Way and Enumclaw, just across the Pierce County line in southern King County. Franciscan Medical Group clinics and providers are located in Tacoma, Gig Harbor, University Place, Puyallup, DuPont, and other sites. For a complete list of clinics, physicians, and phone numbers, go online to www.fmg.FHShealth.org Highlights of Service
St. Joseph Medical Center The flagship of the Franciscan Health System, St. Joseph Medical Center has served Tacoma since 1891. Today, the 320-bed medical center is a consistent recipient of the annual Consumer Choice Award for being the preferred hospital of Tacoma area residents. In addition to its comprehensive array of inpatient and outpatient medical services and surgeries, St. Joseph is the region’s leading provider of cardiovascular care. St. Joseph Medical Center also has one of the largest and most advanced dialysis and nephrology programs on the West Coast. St. Joseph Nephrology Services provides more than 50,000 treatments annually for individuals with chronic kidney disease at dialysis centers in Tacoma, Puyallup, and Gig Harbor. St. Anthony Hospital St. Anthony Hospital in Gig Harbor, opened in March 2009, is the newest hospital in Pierce County and in Washington State. This state-of-the-art Franciscan facility features 24-hour emergency services, inpatient and outpatient medical services, inpatient and outpatient surgeries, and outpatient cancer therapies. Additional Services Franciscan Health System is a leading provider of weight loss surgery, orthopedic services, rehabilitation therapies (physical, speech, and occupational therapies), inpatient and outpatient cancer therapies, and in-home and inpatient hospice care.
For more information visit: www.fhshealth.org
www.tacomachamber.org
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medical record
MultiCare Supporting a Mission of Quality Care
M
ultiCare is a leading-edge, integrated health organization made up of four hospitals — Allenmore Hospital, Good Samaritan Hospital, Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital, and Tacoma General Hospital — as well as numerous primary care and urgent care clinics, multi-specialty centers, hospice and home health, and many other services. A not-for-profit organization based in Tacoma since 1882, MultiCare is the area’s largest provider of health care services, serving patients in Pierce, South King, Kitsap and Thurston counties.
Expanding to Serve the Community
The MultiCare staff is committed to providing high-quality, patient-centered care. By identifying and responding to the community’s needs, they have built a health care system that offers skilled and compassionate care to individuals at every stage of life. To support their mission of providing quality patient care, MultiCare is currently expanding to provide care to the community.
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Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce
Better Connected
• MultiCare is adding a new emergency MultiCare isand adding a new Care emergency department an Express Center atdepartment both Tacoma andCare Mary Bridge and General an Express Center Children’ s . The new facilities will be at both Tacoma General and Mary Bridge more than five times the size of existing Children’s. The facilities will be for departments. Thenew project is scheduled more than five times2010. the size of existing completion in early departments. The project is scheduled • Good Samaritan’ s 350,000-square-foot, nine story Patient Care2010. Tower will bring for completion in early a new and expanded emergency department, imaging services, surgical suites, and private patient rooms. It is scheduled 350,000-square-foot, toGood openSamaritan’s in early 2011. nine-story Patient Care Tower will bring a new and expanded emergency department, imaging services, surgical suites, and private patient rooms. It is scheduled to open in early 2011.
All of MultiCare’s hospital and clinic locations are linked with MultiCare Connect, an innovative electronic health records system that securely stores a patient’s entire health history. Medication lists, allergies, test results, and hospital visits are all recorded in an advanced, centralized computer system, eliminating the need for paper records and allowing health care providers access to pertinent health information. MyChart is a free online service that connects you to your MultiCare doctor’s office 24 hours a day. You can schedule appointments, request prescription refills, review your health history, and more from the comfort and privacy of your own home. For more information visit: www.multicare.org
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programs in engineering, culinary arts, early childhood education, automotive, sustainable design, and construction expected in the future. Franklin Pierce Schools www.fpschools.org
Franklin Pierce Schools includes eight elementary schools, two middle schools, two traditional high schools, and three middle/high alternative schools serving approximately 7,800 students.
Tacoma Public Schools www.tacomaschools.org
Tacoma Public Schools is Washington’s third-largest school district, with nearly 29,000 students attending 37 elementary schools, 10 middle schools, five comprehensive high schools, and four alternative learning sites: Oakland High School, Park Avenue, Pearl Street, and Remann Hall. • Tacoma School of the Arts (SOTA) is a grade 10–12 school focused on the arts. SOTA partners include the Broadway Center for the Performing Arts, Tacoma Art Museum, Museum of Glass, the Grand Cinema, and Tacoma Little Theater. • The Lincoln Center opened in September 2008 at Lincoln High School to give a limited number of ninth-graders extended-day and extended-year learning opportunities, including mentors and enrichment activities. • In September 2009, the district opened its new Science and Math Institute (SAMI), a collaboration between Tacoma Public Schools and Metro Parks Tacoma, with its first class of ninth-graders. In addition to a focus on math and science, SAMI will provide classes in English, history, arts, and foreign language. Students will spend much of their day at Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium and in the Metro Parks greenhouses. • The district also has Bryant Montessori School, a K–8 public Montessori; language immersion programs at Sheridan Elementary and Steward Middle schools;
and the Hilltops Artists in Residence program at Jason Lee, which serves both middle and high school students by incorporating glass blowing and art with academic skills and core subjects. • Tacoma led the way in 2009 in enrolling qualified middle school students for the state’s College Bound Scholarship program, which provides a college education for students who keep their grades up and graduate from high school.
• The comprehensive curriculum focuses on basic skills, challenging college-prep classes, elective subjects, and a broad array of vocational/technical programs. • District buildings have undergone multimillion-dollar renovations supported by community-approved bond measures. Community supported levies have provided the latest in learning technologies, educational supplies, and additional staffing. University Place School District
www.upsd.wednet.edu
www.bethelsd.org
University Place School District includes four primary schools, two intermediate schools, one junior high school, and one high school.
The 13th-largest district in the state, Bethel has an enrollment of about 17,500 students in 17 elementary schools, five junior highs, three comprehensive high schools, an alternative junior/senior high school and an online academy. An additional junior high will open in fall of 2010.
• An $86 million bond issue was approved for school improvement projects in 2006, including construction of a new Curtis Junior High School, opened in 2009; a new University Place Primary, dedicated in 2008; and renovations of Curtis High School’s theatre, swimming pool, and gymnasium.
Bethel School District
• Special programs include alternative Webbased learning, special education classes, expanded AP classes, JROTC, award-winning arts programs, and career technical education courses. • Learning Support Academies provide academic assistance to small groups of students before and after school. • Bethel School District is home to the new Pierce County Skills Center, expected to open in September 2010. Courses include criminal justice, game design, nursing, networking, lab technician, pre-physical therapy, and pre-veterinary studies, with
www.tacomachamber.org
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College ToWn U.s.a. Abundant Higher Education Options The University of Washington Tacoma
www.tacoma.washington.edu
• Full-time enrollment of approximately 2,500 students; diverse student body • Small classes, all taught by faculty • Broad range of faculty research • Offers bachelor’s and master’s programs in a variety of disciplines, in eight academic programs • Predominantly a commuter campus, but building a residential presence University of Puget Sound www.ups.edu
• Nationally ranked liberal arts college • Full-time enrollment of about 2,600 students from 48 states and 20 countries • Offers bachelor’s degrees and selected graduate programs
• Conservatory-quality School of Music, School of Business and Leadership, School of Education, and many interdisciplinary studies, including environmental policymaking, neuroscience, international political economy, and languages • Participates in NCAA Division III athletics and a member of the Northwest Conference, with 23 varsity teams; also offers intramural and club sports Pacific Lutheran University www.plu.edu
• Academically rigorous liberal arts and professional programs leading to bachelor’s and master’s degrees • Only Northwest university to be listed every year as one of the top 15 Western region universities in U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Colleges” survey • Total enrollment of 3,600 • Situated on a 146-acre woodland campus in suburban Parkland • Participates in NCAA Division III athletics City University of Seattle: Fife Campus
www.cityu.edu
• Offers competitive degree and certificate programs in business, education, and general studies • Founded more than 35 years ago; now offers programs in 11 countries worldwide • Flexible transfer policy and class schedules, with programs available online, in class, or in combination
The Evergreen State College, Tacoma and Olympia
www.evergreen.edu
• Progressive, public four-year liberal arts and sciences college with enrollment of approximately 4,600 students • Recognized as a Fiske Guide 2010 “Best Buy School,” as one of 15 “Green Rating Honor Roll” schools in 2010 by the Princeton Review, and as one of 40 schools nationwide in the influential Colleges That Change Lives by Loren Pope. • Focus on interdisciplinary and collaborative learning • More than 50 student organizations, seven intercollegiate teams, and locations with access to urban attractions and the natural environment
Washington State University Puyallup
www.puyallup.wsu.edu
• Provides research, extension, and instruction programs supporting technological innovation, food production, naturalresource stewardship, youth development, human nutrition, and community enhancement • Boasts a 160-acre main campus with laboratories and offices, state-of-the-art greenhouses, a Master Gardener demonstration garden, six acres of certified organic farmland, and several acres of agricultural and natural resource plots • Houses multiple world-class research and extension programs
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Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce
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University of Phoenix – Western Washington Campus
www.phoenix.edu/westernwashington
• Founded in 1976 on an innovative idea: make higher education highly accessible for working students • Largest fully accredited, private university in North America, offering over 100 programs leading to associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees • Programs include Business, Criminal Justice & Security, Information Technology, Education, Psychology, and Green and Sustainable Management • Western Washington Campus includes Learning Centers in Bellevue, Tukwila, and Tacoma DeVry University www.devry.edu
• One of over 90 locations across the United States • Offers associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees from an accredited university • Career-oriented education from faculty who are successful business professionals, with real-world curriculum • Ninety percent of graduates employed within six months of graduation Keller Graduate School of Management
www.keller.edu
• Experience: Keller’s practitioner faculty and curriculum are highly responsive to industry trends • Credibility: Students earn a recognized master’s degree that enhances career potential and gives a competitive advantage • Flexibility: Education is accessible as possible so students can balance work and life while advancing their careers through on-site and online learning options • Relevance: Educational experiences emphasize critical competencies, practical knowledge, and directly applicable skills that employers value
www.tacomachamber.org
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• On-site fitness and childcare facilities, campus safety and food services, student newspapers, and student activities • Six collegiate sports (men’s and women’s basketball, baseball, softball, men’s soccer, and women’s volleyball); part of the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges
CoMMUniTy and TeChniCal Colleges Off to a Great Start Clover Park Technical College
approximately 15,000 students per year with an average full-time student enrollment of 1,500 • Curriculum includes general education and 53 career and technical education programs • Other programs include basic skills, GED and high school completion courses, and personal and professional development opportunities • Offers 50 two-year Associate of Technology degrees, Certificates of Competency, Certificates of Training, industry certifications and, in specific programs, prepares students for the achievement of state licensure
www.cptc.edu
• Enrollment of approximately 18,000 students annually • Fifty career-training programs reflect the economic trends of the area • Sixty certification programs available • On-site training programs available for local businesses Bates Technical College www.bates.ctc.edu
• Largest public technical college in Washington State; enrollment is
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Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce
Pierce College Puyallup/ Pierce College Fort Steilacoom
www.pierce.ctc.edu
• Two community colleges and an extended learning program, which includes online courses and satellite campuses at McChord Air Force Base, Fort Lewis, and South Hill Park in Puyallup • Programs include college work, vocational degree and certificate programs, high school completion programs, and continuing education
Tacoma Community College: Main and Gig Harbor/ Peninsula Campuses
www.tacomacc.edu
• Offering academic transfer degrees to four-year colleges, more than 40 professional and technical degrees and certificates, workforce education, corporate and continuing education, adult basic education, eLearning, and international student programs • An average of 14,576 students enrolled in 2008–2009; the number of state- and contract-supported students increased 10.6 percent over the previous year • Student support services include the Writing and Tutoring Center, Math Advising and Resource Center, Reading and Study Skills Center, career and job placement, advising and counseling, multi-ethnic and cultural affairs, veterans services, worker retraining/Work First, Center for Ethical Development, Early Learning Center, computer labs, language center, art gallery, gym and fitness center, bookstore, cafeteria, and library • Offers six intercollegiate sports as a participant in the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges
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Private and Business Education
Junior Achievement of Washington www.jawashington.org
Junior Achievement (JA) has provided business, economic, and life-skills programs to young people throughout Washington since 1953. With a hands-on, interactive dynamic, JA brings community volunteers into classrooms to provide adult mentoring to 69 school districts throughout western Washington and the Tri-Cities.
The needs of individual students are taken into account throughout their careers at Annie Wright. The faculty addresses individual differences in ability, development, and learning styles. Challenging academics are supplemented by arts and athletics. An international study program both welcomes students from abroad and coordinates international study options for Annie Wright students. Bellarmine Preparatory School www.bellarmineprep.org
Annie Wright www.aw.org
Founded in 1884, Annie Wright School is a college-preparatory institution offering a day program for boys and girls in preschool through grade eight and a boarding/day program for girls in grades nine through 12.
“A Catholic school in the tradition of Jesuit education,” Bellarmine Prep is an award-winning co-ed school serving 1,000 students from throughout the region. The 42-acre campus includes classrooms, athletic fields, state-of-the-art library and computer facilities, and the Wiegand Nursery & Greenhouse. Challenging college-prep courses and a broad range of electives allow students to personalize their education. Christian teachings
help students become active, joyful members of the Catholic community. Competitive athletics encourage both health and the development of discipline and respect. Charles Wright Academy www.charleswright.org
Charles Wright Academy (CWA) is an independent co-ed school offering higher education — proudly defined as challenging, rewarding, and joyous training for a life well-lived — from pre-kindergarten to the 12th grade. CWA is a diverse and inclusive learning community using the power of academic rigor, endless inspiration, and high expectations to help students reach their intellectual, artistic, and athletic best. The 100-acre campus in University Place has a student-toteacher ratio of 8-to-1. Foreign languages, lab sciences, art, and music are taught from pre-kindergarten on up. More than $1.8 million in financial aid is awarded annually.
www.tacomachamber.org
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come home to tacoma
SECTION 7
City of Neighborhoods Tacoma’s Nested Communities Tacoma’s Historic North End Tacoma’s North End represents the earliest established area of the city and is home to more than 13,000 residents. North Slope Primarily a residential area, the North Slope district includes classic homes, churches, and commercial areas. Homes range from small bungalows to extravagant near-mansions, and architectural styles include Stick, Queen Anne, American Foursquare, Craftsman, Tudor Revival, and Mission Revival. Approximately 80 percent of North Slope’s homes were built before 1930. Prices vary greatly and typically start around $250,000. The area also has a number of apartments, with rent ranging from $500 to $2,000 monthly. Proctor Located near Point Defiance Park just minutes from downtown, Proctor District
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Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce
features beautiful views of Mt. Rainier and Commencement Bay. A thriving business district offers an urban village ambiance, with gourmet grocers, charming shops, and fine dining, as well as convenient access to banks, health care, and a post office. Adding
Beautification projects have brought historic street lighting, trees, planters, and public art to the community. to its charm are unique entertainment venues, such as Washington’s oldest bowling center, Chalet Bowl, and its oldest movie theater, The Blue Mouse. Many of the homes were built near the turn of the 20th century, and common architectural styles include Craftsman, English Cottage, Colonial, and Tudor. Prices start around $150,000. Beautification projects have brought historic street lighting, trees, planters, and public art to the community, which also features parks, hiking trails, and bicycle paths.
Stadium Named after historic Stadium High School, the Stadium District has a distinctly urban flavor, with a strong business presence that includes more than 70 retailers, several service businesses, and a variety of restaurants. A number of apartment buildings in the district offer studios in the $500–$800 range; single- or two-bedroom apartments run from $700 to $2,250 monthly. The market also includes a variety of condominiums, with prices starting around $150,000. Singlefamily homes include Victorians from the late 1800s and Craftsman or Tudor homes built in the 1920s and 1930s. Depending on size and condition, these homes range from $250,000 to over seven figures. Ruston Way Ruston Way was once the home of vigorous industrial activity. As industries relocated, city leaders began to see the waterfront’s value as a scenic area. The 1960s, ’70s, and ’80s saw successful efforts by the city to create a recreational area. Today, Ruston Way is a two-mile stretch of beautiful waterfront. Its paved walking and jogging paths offer panoramic views of the bay, Vashon Island, the Olympic Mountains, and northeast Tacoma. Lined with public art, parks, and plenty of places to find food and drink, it also offers recreational opportunities such as the Les Davis fishing pier, a boat dock, beach access, and more.
come home to tacoma
Old Town Old Town features a historic park and a wide range of restaurants and shops. Cobblestone streets and many of the city’s oldest buildings still grace the district. A thriving business district includes a variety of specialty retailers and health professionals as well as some of Tacoma’s best waterfront dining, a number of coffeehouses, wine and spirit bars, and pubs. Single-family homes are available in an array of sizes and styles, with prices generally starting in the mid200s. The area has a variety of condominiums as well, with prices covering a broad spectrum. Sixth Avenue Sixth Avenue has undergone major transformations during the last decade, with streetscape improvements, new investments, and historic preservation efforts combining to create one of Tacoma’s premier business districts. Located just minutes from both downtown and West End, the district has a very low vacancy rate and is home to hundreds of shops, restaurants, night clubs, coffeehouses, and wine bars.
The Salishan Development The east side neighborhood of Salishan has its origins during World War II, when thousands of people headed to Puget Sound to work in factories that built military ships and planes. In response, the federal government built several residential communities in the area, including Salishan, which became an important part of the city’s stock of affordable housing and one of the region’s few racially integrated neighborhoods. By the late 1990s, Salishan was a well-organized and tightly knit community; however, its housing and infrastructure — initially meant to be temporary — were simply worn out. In 2001, the Tacoma Housing Authority undertook an ambitious project to rebuild the entire neighborhood with a variety of housing options, including both incomebased and market-rate residences. The completed project will give Tacoma’s east side a fresh, modern neighborhood. The first phase was completed in 2007; Phase 2 is now in progress. Completion is expected in 2011. The project has already won several national awards for design and environmental innovation.
www.tacomachamber.org
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come home to tacoma
Downtown Tacoma: Greater Livability Is No Accident
Right at Home Pierce County Hot Spots
The City of Tacoma is in the midst of a plan to enhance the potential of identified “character areas” downtown through new and adaptive-use construction projects. The idea is to create a perfect mix of neighborhoods, with a retail and commercial core supplied by higher-density residential and mixeduse areas. A key component includes providing additional housing. In 1999, the city set a goal of creating 2,010 new downtown housing units by the year 2010 — a goal exceeded far ahead of schedule. By 2007 over 2,700 units had been built and absorbed into the residential market, and housing availability continues to grow. While much of this downtown housing success came from new construction, many units resulted from adaptive reuse projects. Historical commercial and municipal buildings are being restored and transformed into attractive residences or mixed-use facilities that preserve historical character while helping to meet downtown objectives. More projects are on the horizon. The Pacific Plaza redevelopment is a $46 million revamp of an old parking garage into a LEED Platinum-certified, mixed-use building that will house around 36,000 square feet of retail space at street level and twice that amount in office space on the upper two floors, with new parking decks in between. There’s a plan to turn the Elk’s Temple — a 1915 Beaux Arts masterpiece — into a multiuse facility with a restaurant, pub, hotel, music venue, spa, and exercise facility. This will be coupled with the development of 22,000 square feet of retail space, 68 apartments, and a 300-space public parking garage on an adjacent site. The city has begun a $2 million cleanup project, and planners are now beginning to consider how properties in the Brewery District could bring more artistic and creative design businesses to this eclectic neighborhood.
University Place The name “University Place” has existed since the late 1800s, when the area was chosen by the Methodist Church for a larger Puget Sound University. Although the campus located in Tacoma, the name “University Place” stuck. In the mid-1990s, residents passed a ballot measure and established the City of University Place. Today, this affluent community of over 31,000 is home to the Charles Wright Academy and the world-class Chambers Bay Golf Course. Fircrest Once a wealthy suburb of Tacoma, Fircrest was incorporated in September 1925. The affluent and warm community now has a population of over 6,000 people. Parkland-Spanaway South of Tacoma, the neighboring communities of Parkland and Spanaway create a unique blend of urban and upscale. Each has a population between 20,000 and 30,000 residents and boasts very reasonable housing costs. They also provide plenty of recreational options, including fishing at Spanaway Lake and excellent golfing opportunities.
Lakewood Settled in the mid-1800s and incorporated in 1996, Lakewood is located along Interstate 5 south of Tacoma, right next to the future Joint Base Lewis-McChord. Lakewood offers abundant parkland — much of it lakefront — plenty of dining, many recreational opportunities, and shopping. This town of approximately 60,000 residents and 1,100 businesses is the second-largest city in Pierce County and was named one of the “100 Best Communities for Young People” by America’s Promise Alliance. Puyallup-South Hill Situated about 5 miles east of Tacoma at the foot of Mt. Rainier, Puyallup has grown from a primarily agricultural community to a regional commercial and service center. This growing town of over 36,000 is home to good public schools, a community college, and a university. There are plenty of recreational options, including the famous Puyallup Fair. The city has excellent shopping opportunities, including a downtown antique district and the popular South Hill district. Puyallup received a Governor’s Smart Choice Award for its Civic Center project in 2009. www.tacomachamber.org
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ENTERTAINING, ENLIGHTENING, EMPOWERING
Chambers Bay Golf Course to Host Two USGA National Championships
P
ierce County’s 930-acre Chambers Creek Properties will soon be the proud host of two of golf’s premier events. In February 2008, the United States Golf Association announced that Chambers Bay Golf Course will host both the 2010 U.S. Amateur and the 2015 U.S. Open championships. The arrival of the U.S. Open will mark the first time that the championship has been held in the Pacific Northwest.
Receiving such an honor less than a year after its opening has made this new municipal golf course the talk of the nation. Chambers Bay is a true links-style course that recreates the treeless, coastal links of Scotland and Ireland, where the game was born. Designed by renowned course architect Robert Trent Jones II, Chambers Bay is amazingly flexible, with green fescue on rolling terrain and both Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains serving as backdrops. Adding to the course’s charm is its one and only tree, a Douglas fir near the 15th green that has been affectionately dubbed “The Lone Fir.”
As the U.S. Amateur Championship draws near, updates, such as new and expanded teeing grounds and a new practice facility, are being made to provide even more flexibility to the championship configuration of the course. Awards and accolades continue to roll in. Meanwhile, the economic impact of two of golf’s greatest events makes it clear that Chambers Bay is not only a gem for golfers, but a gold mine for the community. For more info. visit: www.chambersbaygolf.com
Awards for Chambers Bay Golf Course America’s Best New Public Course for 2008: Golf Digest No. 2 on Golfweek magazine’s list of “Best Municipal Courses” No. 8 among “Top 100 You Can Play”: GOLF Magazine “Best New Course You Can Play”: GOLF Magazine No. 3 on Links magazine’s “Top 10 Green Courses” for its environmentally friendly features Winner of 2008 Phoenix Award by the Society of American Travel Writers Certified by Audubon International as a Silver Signature Sanctuary
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Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce
entertaining, enlightening, empowering
Shop and T Dine in Pierce County
Harmon Brewery and The Hub
acoma restaurant owners Patrick Nagle and Carole Holder have combined his interests in mountaineering and cycling with her culinary expertise to bring the city two unique restaurants. While the Harmon Brewery & Restaurant and its sister restaurant, The Hub, have their differences, they both provide a friendly pub atmosphere that’s perfect for gathering with friends or dining out with the family. For over 13 years, the Harmon Brewery & Restaurant has given Tacoma’s downtown
The Adriatic Grill
O
ffering an authentic taste of Italy in the heart of Tacoma, Adriatic Grill hearkens back to the European attitude that a meal should always be an event. Chef Bill Trudnowski, his wife Monique, and longtime friend and restaurateur Chef John Howie have partnered to create a comfortable, European atmosphere where guests can relax and enjoy the rich flavor of old-world cuisine with the hospitality of a family-operated restaurant. Bill has been a chef in the Seattle-Tacoma area for nearly 25 years, and Monique is a Tacoma native. Their partnership in Adriatic Grill represents the family’s first restaurant venture. The restaurant’s opening in June 2007 gave Bill the chance to share his enthusiasm for the cuisine of the Adriatic region with the community.
include items like their special Cilliangini — lightly fried mozzarella balls with fresh marinara sauce — or seared parmesan tilapia with a crispy polenta cake. For dinner, they offer classic entrees such as house-smoked scallops with garlic cream penne pasta, or garlic-topped sirloin served straight from the grill.
museum goers and university students a funloving microbrewery where they can kick back and fill up. Located in a vintage building in the city’s historic Brewery District (where else?), the restaurant blends the industrial, blue-collar atmosphere of the neighborhood’s past with art and memorabilia that pay homage to the Northwest’s mountaineering legacy. The “Brewin Reuben,” the “Harmongous Burger,” and their fish and chips are menu favorites, and they have a variety of soups and salads. The 15-barrel brewery offers five flagship ales, rotating seasonals, and caskconditioned ales that are available on tap, in bottles, or by the keg. Meanwhile, over in the Stadium District, patrons at The Hub can enjoy pizzas, pasta, and pints in a casual atmosphere that includes a comfortable patio and cyclingthemed decor (a tribute to Patrick’s passion for the sport). Thin-crust artisan-style pizzas are The Hub’s specialty, and entrees include items like chicken picatta and New York steaks. They also have a wide selection of pastas, sandwiches, and salads. The restaurant has regular events and specials, and it provides Tacoma with yet another location to enjoy Harmon Brewery’s unique ales. www.harmonbrewingco.com
www.adriaticgrill.com
Adriatic Grill harkens back to the European attitude that a meal should always be an event. “I grew up in a house with six kids and a lot of pasta,” he explained. “The cuisine of the Mediterranean is absolutely my passion. We also have a passion for the quality of the food, so everything from A to Z is made fresh right here in the restaurant.” The seasonal menu takes advantage of fresh, local products, and the wood-fired “forno” oven is reminiscent of the classic ovens of the old country. Lunch options www.tacomachamber.org
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eNTerTAiNiNG, eNliGhTeNiNG, emPOweriNG
Take me out to
Tacoma Tacoma Rainiers
e Magnificent Mall Makeovers Tacoma Mall Keeps Growing
www.simon.com
Right on the heels of completing a new 138,000-square-foot home for Nordstrom in late 2008, Tacoma Mall opened a new 56,000-square-foot “lifestyle” building on its south side. The section brought in a number of new merchants, including Bose, Coldwater Creek, The Walking Co., Coach, BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse, Bare Escentuals, and AT&T Wireless. With that project completed, the mall has begun retrofitting the old Nordstrom space in preparation for four new tenants. The bulk of the space will be available for yet another major retailer, with the rest becoming a home for new Apple, Solstice,
and Sephora stores. The remodel will be complete and ready for the new merchants in early 2010. South Hill Mall
www.southhillmall.com
After 20 years of serving Pierce County shoppers, South Hill Mall in Puyallup is getting a fresh new look from top to bottom — in that order. In a multimillion-dollar project that began by “breaking ceiling” in March 2009, workers are transforming the mall with new ceiling and floor treatments, sky lights, dramatic new entrances, plush seating areas, and a redesigned food court that includes a stone fireplace.
While many of the changes are cosmetic, the scope of the makeover is more than skin deep. The project includes energy-conserving features to make the facility more ecofriendly. Changes made through the city’s LIFT (Local Infrastructure Financing Tool) Grant will improve telecommunications and shopper accessibility at South Hill as well. Other recent changes at the mall include the 2008 opening of the MultiCare Good Samaritan Play Park for children. In 2009, an expansion to the JCPenney store essentially tripled its size, and Gene Juarez Salons & Spas opened a luxurious new 6,100-squarefoot facility. More growth is coming, including the addition of another major national retailer, so stay tuned.
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Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce
very spring, historic Cheney Stadium comes alive with the thrill of minor league baseball as the Tacoma Rainiers, the Triple-A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners, showcase the future stars of the big leagues. Virtually all of the Mariners’ homegrown talent has passed through Tacoma, including stars like Ken Griffey Jr., Jay Buhner, Raul Ibanez, and Felix Hernandez. Cheney Stadium is home to many Tacoma family traditions. After every weekend game, the field is opened up for kids to run the bases, while during the week children love to run across the field with team mascot Rhubarb the Reindeer. On Friday nights, Cheney is the most popular destination in the South Sound as fans come out to watch the on-field action and the post-game fireworks show. Whether it’s Salute to Armed Forces Day, Pink Day at the Park, or the annual July 3rd fireworks, the Rainiers make every trip to the ballpark a memorable experience. The Rainiers will continue playing ball in Cheney Stadium for the next 32 years. A 2009 lease agreement approved by the Tacoma City Council includes a bond issue to cover the bulk of a $30 million stadium renovation, which will feature new seating for 8,000 fans, 16 luxury suites, a kids’ play area, outfield berm seating, eight to 10 dugout suites, a new team shop, a club-level restaurant, and substantially more rest rooms and concession stands. www.tacomarainiers.com
eNTerTAiNiNG, eNliGhTeNiNG, emPOweriNG
Look, Learn, and Live
“All Aboard for Washington Territory” presents the fascinating story of the Northern Pacific Railway’s role in the development of Tacoma.
Children’s Museum of Tacoma
www.childrensmuseumoftacoma.org
Children’s Museum of Tacoma links playing with learning by providing activities and interactive exhibits that help children develop both creative and practical skills. It offers rotating and traveling exhibits as well as playful weekly programs and fun-filled camps. The museum welcomes parties and group visits by reservation, and it’s a perfect place for a school field trip.
Tacoma Art Museum
www.tacomaartmuseum.org
Fort Nisqually Living History Museum www.metroparkstacoma.org
Operated by Metro Parks Tacoma, Fort Nisqually offers visitors a chance to step back into the 19th century and experience life as it was during Washington Territory’s fur trade era. The fort was the first European settlement on Puget Sound, and re-enactors in period clothing engage visitors with demonstrations and historic dialogue during the museum’s yearly events. Foss Waterway Seaport’s Working Waterfront Maritime Museum www.fosswaterwayseaport.org
Foss Waterway Seaport features a collection of exciting new exhibits. “Discovery Wharf” is a children’s area with handson activities that teach kids about marine life. Other displays include waterfront history exhibits, a recreational boat collection, and an active wooden boatbuilding shop.
11,000 square feet of gallery space displaying both permanent and traveling exhibitions of contemporary glass art. Visitors can also watch and learn as artists blow and shape molten glass into works of art in the Hot Shop Amphitheater. Connecting the museum to the downtown cultural corridor is the remarkable Chihuly Bridge of Glass, a 500-foot marvel of color and architecture created by Tacoma’s legendary Studio Glass pioneer Dale Chihuly and architect Arthur Andersson.
LeMay – America’s Car Museum
www.lemaymuseum.org
The LeMay Collection has been recognized in the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest privately held car collection in the world. At its peak, the collection held more than 3,000 automobiles, motorcycles, trucks, and other vehicles, as well as more than 30,000 pieces of related 20th-century Americana. Plans are under way to build a brand-new museum campus adjacent to the Tacoma Dome, which will feature 1,000 cars and period memorabilia. Museum of Glass
www.museumofglass.org
Housed in a striking building distinguished by its iconic 90-foot cone, the Museum of Glass celebrates glass as an artistic medium and features works by worldrenowned artists. The museum has over
World-class art exhibitions and shows are complemented by stunning views of downtown Tacoma and Mt. Rainier from the museum’s balcony. The museum’s collection includes historic and contemporary pieces by artists from around the world, with an emphasis on art by Northwest artists, Japanese woodblock prints, and a comprehensive collection of Chihuly glass art. Guided tours provide inside information on artists and their work, while the Open Art Studio allows visitors to create a masterpiece of their own. Washington State History Museum
www.washingtonhistory.org
Interactive exhibits, theatrical presentations, high-tech displays, and intriguing artifacts tell the story of Washington’s history and people to visitors of all ages. The museum itself is a 106,000-square-foot architectural gem with soaring spaces and dramatic archways. www.tacomachamber.org
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Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce
entertaining, enlightening, empowering
The
World’s a
Stage
Theater in Tacoma The Broadway Center for the Performing Arts www.broadwaycenter.org
Celebrating its 26th year as part of the renaissance of downtown Tacoma, The Broadway Center for the Performing Arts is the largest performing arts center between Seattle and Portland. The Broadway Center’s mission includes stewardship of three magnificent public theaters: the Pantages, the Rialto, and Theatre on the Square. Each year the center offers world-class artists in a series that includes
musical theater, comedy, renowned concert acts, readings, films, dance ensembles, and much more. The Broadway Center also provides an important home to nine of Tacoma’s resident arts organizations: Northwest Sinfonietta, Puget Sound Revels, Tacoma City Ballet, Tacoma Concert Band, Tacoma Opera, Tacoma Philharmonic, Tacoma School of the Arts, Tacoma Symphony Orchestra, and Tacoma Youth Symphony Association. The Broadway Center Education Program offers performing arts training for all ages and experience levels through the Broadway Center Conservatory, and as a Kennedy Center Partner in Education, it provides educational programs for 26,000 area students and teachers annually.
The Pantages Theater Opened in 1918 and designed to model an ornate theater in the Palace of Versailles, the Pantages was the realization of the dreams of Greek immigrant Alexander Pantages and his mistress and business partner “Klondike Kate” Rockwell. Converted to a movie house in the late 1920s, the Pantages was restored and reopened for live theater in 1983. Today, the 1,119-seat theater is the oldest of the Pantages chain still in operation. The Rialto Theater Tacoma’s Rialto opened in 1918 as part of a national movie-house chain and was hailed as “the ultimate photoplay house.” This beaux-arts-style theater was modeled after Vienna’s 1916 Redoutensaal and still retains much of its original ornate décor. After seven decades of use, the Rialto was restored to its past glory in the 1990s and currently seats 738. Theatre on the Square Fundraising efforts in the public and private sectors raised $11.8 million to open Theatre on the Square in 1993. The theater has an impressive, contemporary style, and its 302-seat arrangement creates an intimate venue. Theatre on the Square offers full production capabilities and a rehearsal studio.
www.tacomachamber.org
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hampton inn & suites
Full Page (FP)
7.333" x 9.833"