TacomaWA1102aw by Tivoli Design + Media Group

CONTENTS

What’s Inside 2008 Tacoma-Pierce County Relocation Guide

FEATURES

12 14

22 36

2 Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce

CULTIVATING THE CREATIVE WORKFORCE

GETTING OFF THE GROUND

HISTORIC STYLE, MODERN SENSIBILITY

LIFE ON THE WATERFRONT

HOME, HOME ON THE GREEN

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CONTENTS

OVERVIEW Business & Community Profile .............6 CommunityLink.com

Chronicle: How Tacoma-Pierce County Measures Up ..........................9

1 800-455-5600

production production manager director of media & content copywriter copy editor proofreader director of photography photography creative director senior designer web site creation & support

MATT PRICE DIANA VAUGHN CAROL CUMMINGS LAURA WILCOXEN CHRISTINA REESE LISA LEHR CHIP VAN GILDER CLINT EILERTS AMANDA WHITE JOSH CHANDLER

Betcha Didn’t Know: Local Trivia ..........9 A Holiday Wonderland ...........................9 Where the Wild Things Are..................10 To Market, To Market ..........................10 A Gathering Place ...............................10

business development director of business development director of outside sales director of inside sales assistant director of inside sales business development manager sales representative customer service director customer service representative

Do the Puyallup ...................................11

GEORGE PRUDHOMME STEVE GRAFF NANCY ODOM DEBBIE MOSS BONNIE EBERS LEN GANDUGLIA KATHY RISLEY LAURIE ANN JENKEL

Zoobilee ...............................................11

10 11

advertising ad research

ad traffic senior ad designer ad design

MARY KOPSHEVER MILLY MASON AMY SCHWARTZKOPF KATHY SCOTT CAROL SMITH KACEY WOLTERS MARK EDMONDSON JOSEPH GOETTING JOSH MUELLER

account support human resources assistant customer service advocate mailroom technician

Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce president communications manager

DAVID GRAYBILL LINDSAY BULL

ON THE COVER Downtown Tacoma is the economic and cultural center of the South Sound. ABOUT This book is published by CommunityLink and distributed through the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce. For advertising information or questions 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 Avenue, Suite 300, Tacoma, WA 98401, 253-627-2175, Fax 253-597-7305, www. tacomachamber.org © 2007 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.

4 Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce

WORKFORCE/EMPLOYMENT

Bridges of Pierce County ....................16 A Trolley for Today ...............................17 By Land, By Air, By Sea .......................18

CHRISTOPHER MILLER

CRAIG WILLIAMS RHONDA HARSY

Dome Sweet Dome.............................12

TRANSPORTATION

executive leadership chairman and founder chief financial officer

No Business Like Snow Business ......12

Putting Pierce County to Work ............13

KATHY HAGENE CAROL SMITH TERRI AHNER TRICIA CANNEDY TERESA CRAIG JULIE VORDTRIEDE MELINDA BOWLIN

information technology publishing systems coordinator

Taste of Tacoma ..................................12

Cultivating the Creative Workforce .... 14

administrative support administrative support

Ethnic Fest: Celebrating Diversity .......11

CONTENTS

BUSINESS ADVOCACY

THE HEART OF TACOMA

Beating the Drum for Business ..........20

Historic Style, Modern Sensibility........ 32

SMALL BUSINESS

Life on the Waterfront .........................34

Getting off the Ground........................ 22

RECREATION/TOURISM

Small Biz Resources ...........................23

Home, Home on the Green .................36

MANUFACTURING

By the Bunch.......................................38 A History of Boxing..............................40

Cast Away, Cast Away, Cast Away All ...................................24

Wine Me & Dine Me............................41

Local Artisans Turn Wine Bottles Into Masterpieces ............................25

ARTS/CULTURE

Pierce County’s Sweet Spot................25

HEALTH Get Up and Get Moving.......................27 World-Class Health Care .....................29

HOUSING Hang Your Hat .....................................30 On the Cutting Edge............................31

On Broadway.......................................43 Asia Pacific Cultural Center.................44 A Place to Park....................................44

Where’s Chihuly? ................................45 Some Like It Hot..................................45

EDUCATION College Town U.S.A. ............................46 Making the Grade ...............................48 Community & Technical Colleges .......48

INDEX OF ADVERTISERS Advertiser ....................... Page Number

Advertiser ....................... Page Number

American West Escrow .................................. 23 Blitz & Co. Florist ............................................ 23 Brown & Brown of Washington ...................... 17 Business Interiors Northwest ......................... 41 Cascade Regional Blood Services.................. 10 Chambers Bay ................................................ 21 Commencement Bank ................................... 21 Community Health Care ................................. 32 Entertainment Masters ..................................... 7 Executive Massage ........................................ 31 Franciscan Health System.............................. 26 GEICO ............................................................. 33 Harbor View Manor......................................... 13 Heritage Bank................................................. 32 Husky Terminal and Stevedoring, Inc. ............ 29 International Union of Operating Engineers Local 612 ................... 10 Keller Williams Realty – Kathy Kleber ............ 31 King Oscar ........................................................ 7 Korean Women’s Association ........................... 3

Ladies Workout Express ................................. 33 Life Christian School & Academy ................... 41 McLaughlin Capital Group .............................. 23 Merrill Gardens ............................................... 11 MultiCare ............................... Inside Front Cover Narrows Glen.................................................. 12 Olive Garden ..................................................... 6 Opti Staffing Group ......................................... 17 Orchard Park Health Care and Rehabilitation Center............................ 27 P & J Machining, Inc. ..................................... 31 Pacific Harbors Council .................................. 11 Pearly Whites Laser Dentistry ........................ 24 Pierce College................................................. 47 Port of Tacoma ............................................... 19 Rainier Pacific Bank ....................................... 29 Real Estate USA................................................ 8 Relax the Back ............................................... 13 RoboticAdvantage.com – William M. Dean, M.D.................................... 1

SoundBuilt Homes..................Inside Back Cover South Bay Mortgage Co. ................................ 12 St. John Church Transformation Ministries International....... 35 State Farm Insurance – Carrie Kuhel ............. 39 Sterling Savings Bank .................................... 11 Tacoma-Pierce County Assn. of REALTORS® .................................... 6 Tacoma Community College .......................... 32 TacomaLimo.com LLC.................................... 19 Tacoma Lutheran Retirement Community ............................... 39 Tacoma Propeller Club ................................... 12 Tacoma Public Utilities ........Outside Back Cover Tacoma Women’s Fitness & Day Spa ............ 27 Totem Ocean Trailer Express, Inc. .................. 23 University of Puget Sound .............................. 10 Wal-Mart......................................................... 17 The Weatherly Inn ............................................ 8

www.tacomachamber.org 5

OVERVIEW

Business & Community Profile Tacoma-Pierce County at a Glance Climate

Average Month ........... High ...................Low .................. Rainfall* Jan. ..................47°F .....................35°F ..................5.38 inches Feb. ..................50°F .....................36°F ..................4.44 inches March ...............55°F .....................39°F ..................4.18 inches April ..................60°F .....................42°F ..................2.87 inches May ..................66°F .....................47°F ..................2.01 inches June .................71°F .....................52°F ..................1.58 inches July...................76°F .....................55°F ..................0.86 inches Aug...................77°F .....................55°F ..................0.83 inches Sept. .................71°F .....................51°F ..................1.42 inches Oct....................61°F .....................45°F ..................3.39 inches Nov. ..................53°F .....................40°F ..................6.10 inches Dec. ..................47°F .....................35°F ..................5.89 inches *Information obtained from www.weather.com

Major Employers: All Sectors* Rank/Name Employees Industry 1. U.S. Army Fort Lewis ........................................ 38,143..................................... Defense 2. Local Public School Districts.............................. 13,393...................................Education (Total of 15 districts) 3. U.S. Air Force McChord..................................... 11,765..................................... Defense 4. Washington State Employees ............................. 8,007...........Government/Public Offices 5. MultiCare Health System .................................... 5,567........................... Health Services 6. Franciscan Health System .................................. 4,059........................... Health Services 7. U.S. Army Madigan Hospital ............................... 3,647................Military Health Services 8. Pierce County Government ................................. 3,231...........Government/Public Offices 9. Washington State Higher Education .................... 2,789......................................Colleges 10. Safeway Stores Inc. ......................................... 2,650............................. Retail (Grocer) *Source: Economic Development Board for Tacoma-Pierce County, 2007

Demographics Area Pierce County Land Area 1,679 square miles Population Total Population (WA OFM) Tacoma 201,700 (2007) Pierce County 790,500 (2007) Age and Sex Distribution Under 18 years 19 to 64 years 65 years and older Median age Male Female

27.2 percent 62.6 percent 10.2 percent 34.1 years 49.7 percent 50.3 percent

Educational Attainment High school graduates 86.9 percent Bachelor’s degree or higher 20.6 percent Income Per capita personal income (2005 estimate) Median household income (2006 estimate)

$32,448 $51,610

afternoon winds ranging from zero to 15 mph are ideal for sailing on Puget Sound and lakes within the county, such as Gravelly, American, Steilacoom and Tapps. Snowfall is variable and generally melts before it accumulates, except in the mountains, where excellent skiing conditions prevail. Altitude in Pierce County ranges from sea level at Puget Sound to 14,411 feet at the summit of Mount Rainier.

Tacoma offers a beautiful, temperate climate. Typical summer afternoon temperatures range in the 70s and low 80s, with average winter temperatures in the 40s. Summer

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�� 6 Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce

OVERVIEW

Transportation Air

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac) 17801 Pacific Highway South, Seattle 206-431-4444 Sea-Tac, the 18th-busiest airport in passenger volume in the United States and the 12th-fastest-growing airport worldwide, lies 20 miles north of Tacoma. It handles 30 commercial airlines and more than 1,000 commercial flights each day.

Tacoma Narrows Airport (TNA) 1302 26th Ave. NW, Gig Harbor 253-851-3544 TNA lies six miles west of Tacoma and serves corporate and business aviation needs. Thun Field (Pierce County Airport) 16715 Meridian East, Building B, Puyallup 253-593-4698 Thun Field provides small aircraft service, hangar and tie-down rentals, flight training, and repair services.

Bus

Pierce Transit 3701 96th St. SW, Tacoma 253-581-8000 Pierce Transit operates public bus transportation in Tacoma and runs buses throughout 450 square miles of the surrounding area. Highway

Interstate 5 runs the length of the West Coast, from Canada to Mexico, and passes directly through Tacoma. A number of multilane freeways connect communities east and west to I-5. State Highway 16 passes over the Narrows Bridges to Gig Harbor and the Olympic Peninsula. Highways 167, 161 and 512 connect with Puyallup and the South County. A $90 million I-705 freeway spur direct from I-5 into downtown Tacoma and a $23 million cable-stay bridge (SR-509) crossing the port area began carrying traffic in early 1997.

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www.tacomachamber.org 7

OVERVIEW

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Port of Tacoma The Port of Tacoma is an independent municipal corporation that operates under state-enabling legislation. Created by Pierce County citizens in 1918, the Port has 2,400 acres that are used for shipping terminal activity and warehousing, distributing and manufacturing. More than 70 percent of the Port’s international container cargo comes from, or is going to, the central and eastern regions of North America, making Tacoma a true “Gateway Port.” The Port also handles more than 70 percent of the marine cargo moving between the lower 48 states and Alaska. Rail and Ferries

In addition to more than 200 trucking firms, freight transportation for Tacoma and the county is provided by two competitive railroads: Union Pacific and Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF). Amtrak’s operations include three passenger trains north to Seattle and three south into Oregon and California, leaving Tacoma Station daily. Ferry service between Point Defiance and Vashon Island is run by the Washington State Ferries, connecting to a system of 25 boats on nearly 600 daily trips. It is the largest ferry system in the United States, as well as Washington State’s most popular tourist attraction. 8 Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce

Chronicle

OVERVIEW

A I V I R T L A L?C Know t ’ n d i D ha

Betc

r name fo n a ic r e tive Am s.” the Na m d ater o fr of the W it was designate stems r e a h t m o o c M n “ a n e T g o h c e in w s an er am ean • The n ier, Tacobet, m Tacoma’s monik rminus for its tr influMt. Rain estiny” became oad’s western te e railroad was ent cem Railr of th of D ecision oring Commen otto • “City orthern Pacific d e h T . as the N ilroad in 1873 acoma’s neighb ad, Tacoma’s m a r fT l o ailro ta e n s e u tin h the r beca it t w r a y p a b a. In • Tacoma was ranked among the top 100 “Best Places for enced in nnecting the in Tacom nd.” s r e il t a s s o o c t o e Business and Careers” in 2007 by Forbes. civic b Bay. By g and e rails me “Where ain was an early vigation, startin laque in e m a c e • Tacoma was ranked among the top 50 “Smart Places to Live” b Ap mna is Tr ntrality. al circu e Franc by Kiplinger’s Personal Finance in 2006. • Georg e staged a glob te the city’s ce ne. li o 930, • Tacoma was recently listed as one of the most walkable 1880, h oma, to prom he start/finish 1929–1 of f o t r c e a s t T k r in the w ing in cities in the country by Prevention magazine. ma ma ngines ortage in wn Taco m the e downto 0-day power sh electricity fro • In 2006, women’s magazine Self named Tacoma the with ga3 orts “Most Sexually Healthy City” in the United States. • Durin was provided er of sp gton. b in m x e u a L n m SS fa nny Taco • The Tacoma-Pierce County region was named “One of America’s carrier U e hometown o rizefighter Joh ft a r c ir it the a Most Livable Communities” in 2004 by the national nonprofit rea is th er and p y, Detro acoma a g Olympic box player Ron Ce nsive T e h T organization Partners for Livable Communities. • ons defe includin Baseball figures, Major League na, Atlanta Falc ashad, and • Tacoma was voted the “No. 5 Mid-Sized City to Do Business” in , s R it Bumphu rterback John K eceiver Ahmad t. 2003 by Entrepreneur magazine. r a n u L fa q F u r s N T n y, s s Lio • Industry Standard magazine named Tacoma one of the Top 5 “Tech Towns” er Mallo nerback Marcu renowned glas y w a L k r o ld c bac r s o k in America in 2001. This ranking was based on exceptional standards in w eahaw n of Seattle S the hometow quality of life, family atmosphere and business climate. s were is a coma, a a T • Tacom le Chihuly. in • BizMiner Business Vitality Review named Tacoma the “No. 1 born . a artist D g Crosby was ir Underwood Midsize City for Business Migration” in 2000. la in B B • Singer amela Reed and • The Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue metro area was named among the top 10 actors P “Knowledge Worker Metros” in 2007 by Expansion Management

How

Tacoma-Pierce County

Measures Up

magazine for having one of the best-educated workforces in the nation. • The Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue metro area was named among the top 10 “Best Metros for Future Business Locations” in 2006 by Expansion Management magazine. • The Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue metro area was named among the top 50 “Hottest Cities” in 2006 by Expansion Management magazine.

A Holiday

WONDERLAND W Each holiday season, Pierce County Parks and Recreation presents “Fantasy Lights at Spanaway Park,” the largest holiday drivethrough display in the Northwest. A tradition since 1994, the holiday wonderland features nearly 300 elaborate displays and thousands of sparkling lights in a two-mile scenic drive along Spanaway Lake. The display is open each evening from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Eve, from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. The animated displays include Santa, bears, a fire-breathing sea serpent and a giant carousel. Cars, vans and buses pay an admission fee that covers everyone in the vehicle. Discount and group tickets are also available. For more information, call 253798-3330. www.tacomachamber.org 9

OVERVIEW

Where the Wild Things Are The 723-acre Northwest Trek Wildlife Park in Eatonville is a treasure for wildlife enthusiasts. Home to more than 200 North American animals, the park features lakes, trails and meadows. Bighorn sheep, deer, Roosevelt elk, woodland caribou, mountain goats and bison are among the many species that can be viewed on a guided tram ride, while forested pathways along natural exhibits give view to grizzlies, wolves, black bears, lynx, bobcats, cougars, eagles, owls and wetland creatures. In addition, the park features five miles of nature trails and exciting hands-on experiences at the Cheney Discovery Center. For more information, call 360-832-6117.

ket enjoy free parkingriactt r a M t Visitors nt Dome Dis m ket, Teo r s A Gathering Place t ie a fro n n e e y v a id M r s To the con eld each Tuesd gust, The Greater Tacoma Convention and Trade Center (GTCTC) is one of County Au eshest .H

fr et te Pierce season’s rmers Mark ne through la .m. Washington State’s largest meeting and convention facilities. The center e h t y u fa J jo om 3 p s n a fr e ly e r r a n a e e p can e o e r it h u is features breathtaking mountain and water views, impressive architectural et h fr at t he mark . Shop for fres y a t produce a details, and high-quality interior amenities. p.m enjo et is . markets roadway Mark dway until 7 etables, then acoma’s GTCTC offers a wide selection of event space, including a 50,000The B on Broa an and veg at one of T hich n io it d square-foot, column-free exhibition hall. In addition, the center feaw rtis ut y tra duce, a nd night o l restaurants, o r Thursda p p tures 25,000 square feet of ballroom and meeting space and more than loca sic a ay. ers u and off pared foods, mu each many a short walk aw Street 42,000 square feet of additional event space. It is located within walkld re in st crafts, p et is he rough are ju Puyallup Ma to the k r a m ing distance of more than 400 hotel rooms, with more than 2,200 he th The host more. T from mid-May .m. , is t e k r n rooms available nearby. Impressive dining, shopping, day spas, art, tio Ma p y Associa mers Thursda er, 9 a.m. to 2 r a m F o fr golf and other attractions surround the center. For more informap ay tob Puyallu eld each Saturd ted in mid-Oc tion, call 888-227-3705. h ca which is gh October. Lo rk on u o Pa r r h t e e y Ma Pion t a n io SW, the il the Pav and 4th Street f veno n Meridia tures a variety proa fe market ing farm-fresh s, ffer food o s r do repared and p y t s a duce, t baked goods, s deliciou rafts. c d arts an

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10 Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce

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OVERVIEW

Do the Puyallup Officially known as the Western Washington State Fair, the Puyallup Fair is the single-largest annual attraction in the state of Washington and a traditional celebration of rural life. The fair continually ranks among the top 10 largest fairs in the world. The Western Washington Fair Association hosts two annual events: the 17-day Puyallup Fair every September and the four-day Puyallup Spring Fair every April. Fairgoers can enjoy music and comedy at one of four free stages, and they can take in top-name entertainment in the Concert Center. A rodeo offers rustic excitement, and activities include rides, animal exhibits and an art show. There are plenty of attractions for children at the Puyallup Fair, including fun activities at Sillyville, characters in Toonzille, and the Mutton Bustin’ children’s rodeo.

Zoobilee You don’t want to miss the annual “Zoobilee On the Rocks: A Frisky Formal,” Tacoma’s premier black-tie affair. A summer event that benefits the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium, Zoobilee offers cuisine from 65 area restaurants and beverage retailers. Five different stages offer dance music under the stars. A premier auction features exotic or local trips, a plethora of gift baskets, one-of-a-kind adventures, luxurious spa gift certificates, unique jewelry, vehicle leases, and more. For more information about this ticketonly event, call 253-404-3657.

Ethnic Fest: Celebrating Diversity Since 1986 the annual July Ethnic Fest, held at Wright Park, has spotlighted the cultures and ethnic groups that make Pierce County such a wonderful and diverse community. Enjoy a variety of performing arts, visual arts, crafts, dancing, information and foods that represent cultures from around the globe. Special activities abound and the festival is free. Ethnic Fest is presented by Pierce County Council District Four, Metro Parks Tacoma and the City of Tacoma. For more information, call 253-305-1076.

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www.tacomachamber.org 11

OVERVIEW

mae o c a of T 1984, the Tast s

e y’ e Tacosmmtunity tradiftioonn bsienincg the coivmalm. Huneiltd

A tsel fest y, rides i amily f p e a l Sunda ing b m a o fford y and a a of Tac t d pat r s i o u c i t dm , Sa Part y n . a a k d t r i s r a e F P larg ation, r on a fiance int De food present umme o P t a each s s i n ition, central ged based o écor. In add ing l a v i t s d t fe e ju nd d ste-tes ants ar attire a ses” ta t the o R restaur inality, staff & a e orig xation e “Win flavor, l includes th enching rela entertaintiva t-qu c and the fes za and thirs s musi ities. For r e f f o n a e g ar g extrava n. A jazz sta area ch s t i f e n e be ard 0. beer g e of Tacoma 83-505 2 t 5 s 2 a 4 T l ment. on, cal ormati f n i e r mo

No Business Like Snow Business For chilly outdoor fun, look no further than Crystal Mountain and Mt. Rainier. Crystal Mountain, Washington State’s largest ski area, offers 2,600 acres and more than 50 runs. You can find everything from gentle, groomed cruising slopes for beginners to challenging runs for the more experienced snow enthusiasts. Skiing Magazine voted Crystal Mountain seventh among the “Top Mountains in North America.” The Crystal Mountain ski season runs from November through April, and average annual snowfall is 350 inches. Mount Rainier is an active Cascade volcano encased in more than 35 square miles of snow and glacial ice. Lush old-growth forests and spectacular sub-alpine meadows surround the 14,411-foot mountain — the highest peak in the Cascade Range. The mountain receives abundant snowfall and the scenery is spectacular. A winter visit to Mount Rainier can include ranger-guided snowshoe walks, sledding, camping, snowboarding and skiing. Some areas of the park are also open to snowmobiling.

Dome Sweet Dome For the past 23 years, the Tacoma Dome has been the host to an abundance of live entertainment options, including concerts, family shows, motor sports competitions, professional wrestling, high school athletics, professional bull riding and trade shows. In addition, the Dome has hosted such nationally prestigious events as the 1987 U.S. Figure Skating Championships and the 1990 Goodwill Games. The second-largest wooden dome structure in the world, the Tacoma Dome stands as an icon to residents of the Pacific Northwest. The Dome’s unique design allows for the configuration of capacities to fit any type of event there is, no matter how large or small. For more information, call 253-272-3663.

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12 Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce

WORKFORCE/EMPLOYMENT

Putting Pierce County to Work Employment Resources

Career Builder: South Sound Jobs www.thenewstribune.com/careerbuilder

Labor Ready www.laborready.com

Spherion www.spherion.com

City of Tacoma Employment www.cityoftacoma.org/empage.aspx

Northwest Employment Listing Service, Inc. www.nwemp.com

Tacoma Employment www.tacomaemployment.net

COMFORCE Staffing Services www.comforce.com

NW Jobs http://marketplace.nwsource.com/jobs/

Washington Employment Job Pages: Tacoma www.washjob.com/tacoma.htm

The Employment Guide: Hello Tacoma www.hellotacoma.com/Jobs.Cfm

Pierce County Employment www.co.pierce.wa.us/cfapps/jobs/joblist.cfm

Washington State Employment http://careers.wa.gov/

Express Personnel Services www.expresspersonnel.com

Select Staff, Ltd. 253-759-1282

WorkSource Washington https://fortress.wa.gov/esd/ worksource/Employment.aspx/

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www.tacomachamber.org 13

WORKFORCE/EMPLOYMENT

Cultivating the

Creative Workforce Creative Tacoma: A Grass-Roots Program for Change

reativity isn’t just for artists, actors and writers. The Tacoma business community understands that, in order to compete in the modern marketplace, creativity is needed in all industries, from banking to health care to education. As part of the Creative Tacoma grass-roots initiative, the Tacoma Chamber of Commerce invited Creative Class Communities’ visionary Dr. Richard Florida to visit with a select group of community members in the world’s first Creative Cities Leadership Seminar. John Folsom, president of Brown & Brown, was one of those community members. He now serves as chair of the Steering Committee for the Creative Tacoma project. “During Dr. Florida’s initial visit to Tacoma in September 2006, he talked with us about the creative economy and what that looks like,” Folsom explained. “Then we broke into project groups that are currently considering our expected outcomes and how we can enhance the creative economy to retain people in the community.” Creative Tacoma’s mission “engages people from all walks of life in the important work of realizing Tacoma-Pierce County’s full potential as a sustainable, ecological, prosperous and inclusive community. It builds on the area’s existing natural and cultural richness, growing technological dominance, and supportive and accepting climate to 14 Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce

attract and retain the ‘creative sector’ talent that drives economic prosperity in today’s global business economy.” Chamber President & CEO David Graybill, CCE, CEcD, is spearheading the project. “As the first such effort in the world, Creative Tacoma has gained recognition for Tacoma’s forward-thinking approaches to economic growth and quality of life,” Graybill explained. “Tacoma has taken steps to attract, retain and grow the creative workforce of tomorrow.” Graybill said five project teams of Tacoma-Pierce County’s Creative Cities Leadership Project (CCLP) are currently working with existing businesses and organizations in the community on sustainable initiatives ranging from green design to promoting awareness of Tacoma-Pierce County’s vibrant arts community and culinary offerings. Members are working with others in the community to ensure that Tacoma continues to have the talent, technology, tolerance and territorial assets needed to attract highly prized and valued workers, who can fuel economic prosperity for the region in the future. The five teams include: • Connected Individuality: Working with area businesses and organizations to expand diversity and business internship

WORKFORCE/EMPLOYMENT

and mentoring opportunities for people from diverse ethnic backgrounds. • Project Eden: Working with community members and organizations in the Hilltop District to expand the ethnic dining corridor on Martin Luther King Way. • Green Tacoma: Working with area manufacturers, builders and businesses to create a “Green Alliance” based on green design and sound ecological standards. • Arts Technology Ecosystem: Working with area arts organizations to build awareness of Tacoma-Pierce County’s vibrant art community and to create an arts incubator where current and emerging artists can work, learn and live. • Love Tacoma: Working with other community and arts organizations to host popular cultural events for current and prospective Tacoma-Pierce County residents. Creative Class Communities is located in Washington, D.C. Though Tacoma was the first community to go through the program, similar projects are now under way in El Paso, Texas; Tallahassee, Fla.; Charlotte, N.C.; and Duluth, Minn.

“Creative Cities gives communities the tools to understand and build sustainable, authentic regional prosperity,” said Amanda Stryon, project director for Creative Class Communities. “The nature of the project requires communities to take the initiative, and we provide data, tools and framework.” Stryon said the goal is for the region to have the tools and knowledge it needs to build a stronger economy For more information about Creative Tacoma, that is authentic to the region and sustainable visit www.creativetacoma.com. through economic ups and downs. This vision can be accomplished through a comprehensive approach grounded in regional data and global trends, one that includes increased support of people’s creativity and enhanced quality of place. Through Creative Tacoma, more individuals will become engaged in leadership of the community. “The catalysts from Tacoma have done the real work — studying the community, developing programs, recruiting new leaders and facilitating relationships,” Stryon continued. “The people here are some of the most energetic and capable I’ve ever encountered. We are thrilled they took on the project.” www.tacomachamber.org 15

TRANSPORTATION

of Pierce County Tacoma Residents Are “Good To Go”

n July 16, 2007, the Washington State Department of Transportation opened a new suspension bridge on State Route 16, parallel to and south of the existing Tacoma Narrows Bridge. The new bridge has dramatically improved the speed and safety of transport within the SR 16 corridor, addressing a growing congestion problem on the highway. The new bridge provided not only another crossing over the Narrows, but also highway improvements to 3.4 miles of SR 16. It was only one of four projects improving SR 16 between Union Avenue in Tacoma and Olympic Drive in Gig Harbor. The new bridge carries four lanes of eastbound traffic and provides a barrier-separated bicycle path to bicyclists and pedestrians. With an eye on the future, WSDOT built its anchorages, towers and caissons to accommodate a future second deck. Funded by tolls, the new bridge carries between 40,000 and 45,000 vehicles a day. An equal number of vehicles use the 1950 bridge in the westbound direction. Although the

16 Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce

new bridge is open to traffic, construction will continue on both bridges through spring 2008. For the first time in Washington State history, motorists have the option of paying tolls either manually (through traditional toll booths) or electronically with a system called Good To Go!. Good To Go! is an easy-to-use electronic toll collection program that gives drivers the power to pay tolls without stopping via an electronic transponder placed on a car’s windshield. The new bridge project has given Pierce County residents many safety benefits and other improvements to the SR 16 corridor. The two bridges separate opposing traffic, eliminating the possibility of head-on collisions on the bridges. Additional safety features include wider lanes and a shoulder for disabled vehicles. For more information about the bridge project, visit the Washington State Department of Transportation’s Web site at www.tacomanarrowsbridge.com.

TRANSPORTATION

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�� A Trolley for Today �� Washington’s First Modern-Day Trolley

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ars can get stuck in traffic, and over the years travel times have gotten slower and slower. Sound Transit Link’s modern light rail trains, however, operate in their own right-of-way, providing fast, smooth and reliable service in all weather and traffic conditions. The light rail line is a critical element of the region’s longterm transportation network. It provides a new high-capacity, congestion-free transportation route that will serve some of the region’s largest population and employment centers. Sound Transit’s light rail system connects the Tacoma Dome Station (a regional hub for local and express bus service and commuter train service) with downtown Tacoma. Link trains run every 10 minutes, Monday through Saturday, and every 10 to 20 minutes on Sunday. Best of all, Tacoma Link is free! In addition to the Tacoma Dome Station, stations are located at the Theater District, Union Station, the Convention Center and the South 25th Station.

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TRANSPORTATION

By Land, By Air, By Sea Transportation Improvements Under Way in Tacoma

Terminal Expansion at Port of Tacoma

Sound Transit Updates

A major trade gateway to Asia and Alaska, the Port of Tacoma is a leading North American seaport, handling more than $35.6 billion in annual trade and nearly 2.1 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent container units) in 2006. The Port is also a major center for bulk, breakbulk and heavy-lift cargoes, as well as import automobiles and medium-duty trucks. This activity creates noteworthy economic impacts, including 43,000 family-wage jobs in Pierce County and 113,000 jobs statewide. In recent years, the Port has expanded significantly, starting with the 2003 completion of the 146-acre Marshall Avenue Auto Facility. The Port opened the state-of-the-art Pierce County Terminal for Evergreen Marine in 2005. This was soon followed by the renovation of the 93-acre Husky Terminal for “K” Line and the opening of the 54-acre Olympic Container Terminal for Yang Ming Line. In 2007, the Port completed a major expansion of Washington United Terminals, home to Hyundai Merchant Marine. The project brought this major container terminal to 102 acres. Looking ahead, the Port plans major terminal and transportation infrastructure developments on the east side of the Blair Waterway. Available land on deep water (able to accommodate the world’s largest vessels), outstanding regional road and rail infrastructure, and, most importantly, a community that understands the benefits of international trade and supports the Port’s business will ensure that the Port of Tacoma remains the economic engine of Pierce County for generations to come.

Sound Transit will expand Sounder commuter rail service to Lakewood with new stations in South Tacoma and Lakewood. The expanded service will operate along a new 1.2-mile track extension in Tacoma, from the Tacoma Dome Station to the M Street overpass at South Tacoma Way, where it will connect to the existing Lakeview Subdivision tracks and continue south to Lakewood. The Lakeview Subdivision track improvements will include track, signal and grade crossing improvements from M Street in Tacoma to Bridgeport Way in Lakewood, as well as new commuter rail train layover tracks in Lakewood. The project is slated for completion in 2010. Sound Transit is also expanding its Sounder commuter rail service to South Tacoma and Lakewood and will build a new commuter rail station in South Tacoma. Sound Transit is anticipating that the South Tacoma station will serve more than 200 commuters from Tacoma and University Place when it opens, with ridership increasing in subsequent years. When Sounder service is fully operational to South Tacoma, 18 trains will arrive and depart from the South Tacoma station each day. During peak commuting times, trains will depart every 30 minutes on the way to Seattle. The station will include five shelters to provide cover for commuters as well as kiosks to purchase tickets. A parking lot across the tracks will hold approximately 220 vehicles. Construction is estimated for completion by the end of 2008.

18 Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce

TRANSPORTATION

Sea-Tac International Airport Renovation Nearly 30 million passengers traveled through Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac) in 2006, a 2.4 percent increase from 2005. The number of passengers is expected to grow 2.7 percent each year for the next 15 years. New airline customers and new routes are helping to expand SeaTac’s offerings. To support this growth, Sea-Tac Airport has completed a major renovation and expansion. The Central Terminal, located at the heart of the airport, opened in the spring of 2005. It features a 60-foot-tall, 350-foot-long window wall overlooking the airfield, and it boasts nine specialty shops and 11 eateries. In addition, Concourse A and the Gina Marie Lindsey International Arrivals Hall opened in the spring of 2004. The wider and longer concourse offers twice as many gates as the former concourse, as well as the airport’s first moving sidewalks. The area features a public meeting space, spectacular

artwork, eateries and shops. In addition, a third all-weather runway was recently completed. Sea-Tac’s new parking garage, with 13,000 stalls, is one of the largest single-roofed garages in the United States. The oldest of the airport’s restrooms have been renovated, with the addition of a new family restroom. Finally, the airport’s original transit system was completely renovated to include new tracks, new trains and new stations. And there’s more to come. Sound Transit Link light rail will arrive at Sea-Tac by the end of 2009, and roadway construction began in the summer of 2007 to pave the way. Renovation of the Federal Aviation Administration’s former air traffic control tower will convert it into a ramp tower to guide aircraft on the ground moving between gates and runways. By 2011, Sea-Tac plans to open a consolidated off-site car rental facility. Buses powered by natural gas or other clean technology will transport customers to and from the airport.

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BUSINESS ADVOCACY

Beating the Drum for Business C Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber Keeps Time

Photo by Bethany Vieth

hamber President & CEO David Graybill, CCE, CEcD, calls advocacy “one of the Chamber’s chief roles and strengths.” “Our role is to speak out for a strong economy that provides opportunity and supports quality of life,” Graybill explained. “We are aggressive at shaping issues, lobbying at every level of government and working

20 Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce

with appointed officials and regulatory agencies.” With about 1,400 members, the Chamber is the area’s oldest and largest public policy/business advocacy organization. “We have established a reputation as a hard-hitting, powerful, connection-building organization,” Graybill continued. “We speak up for economic strategies and for public policy initiatives that will help build a positive business environment and a stronger, more effective community.” The Chamber’s advocacy 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 our large military population. In addition, it retains contract assistance in governmental affairs on local, state and national levels. “Of course, we are also advocates for our community in terms of interpreting and relaying information to media,” Graybill explained. “We have been advocates for thinking regionally to address the population growth issues that transcend the normal boundaries of the cities and county. We introduce top national speakers such as Neal Pierce and Richard Florida to help the

community become aware of the latest trends and strategies in top metropolitan areas.” The Chamber’s accomplishments are many. Tacoma-Pierce County was recently named one of “America’s Most Livable Communities” in the regional category. In addition, Tacoma has become a showcase for using the arts and historic preservation to support downtown economic growth. A highly successful University of Washington branch campus has been well-supported and is a sought-after model. Finally, Tacoma has emerged from extensive base realignment and closure rounds not only intact, but also with larger complements of the military based in the area. For over a century, the TacomaPierce County Chamber has been the leading organization representing the interests of businesses in TacomaPierce County. 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. The Chamber keeps its membership focused and involved in top business, civic and social priorities by providing unique connectionbased opportunities for individuals and businesses to make a difference. For more information on the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce, please call 253-627-2175.

BUSINESS ADVOCACY

www.tacomachamber.org 21

SMALL BUSINESS

Getting off the

Ground Tacoma Angels Help Startups Fly

ho is an “angel,” anyway? Simply put, an angel is a messenger or a guide — someone who leads the way and provides valuable information. Angel investors offer a similar service to early-stage businesses, providing financial backing and technical expertise. Unlike venture capitalists, they often actively contribute to an enterprise they choose to fund. The TacomaAngel Network (TAN), the South Sound’s first private equity angel investment group, was formed in 2006 by the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber and two chairmen: Larry Kopp of Globe Capital and John B. Dimmer of FIRS Management. TAN is a nonprofit alliance of accredited investors — successful entrepreneurs, retired executives and other business leaders — who provide investment capital, strategic advice and mentoring to early-stage companies or companies embarking on major expansion efforts to help them achieve market leadership. TAN provides its members with access to a steady flow of promising entrepreneurs who need “risk” capital that is normally not available through other sources. The ultimate goal is to help investors make profitable investments in the high-risk/high-return private equity market, while fueling the growth of early-stage companies in the Pacific Northwest. “My involvement in forming the TacomaAngel Network grew out of two desires,” Dimmer

remembered. “The first was to create a forum where qualified entrepreneurs could efficiently and effectively present their business plans to accredited investors, thus reducing the amount of time and effort required to raise capital, so the entrepreneur could devote their resources to growing their business. The second was to provide a qualified source of deal flow for the accredited investors in Tacoma.” Prior to the establishment of the TacomaAngel Network, Dimmer said the only way local investors learned of opportunities was by word of mouth. Now, through TAN, members review three interesting investment opportunities per month. Kopp said angel networks are much broader and more flexible than venture capital firms. “We’ll look at anything that’s interesting, makes a good return and makes sense,” he explained. “Companies who work with angels need to be coachable, very open and very realistic. They need to show their passion to the investors and convince them to make an investment in them.” Since the TacomaAngel Network’s founding, membership has grown from the nine investors to about 30. About 40 people attend each meeting, including sponsors and companies. In its first year of operation, TAN members provided more than $2 million in funding to area businesses.

For more information about the TacomaAngel Network, contact Paul Ellis at 253-627-2175 or visit www.tacomaangelnetwork.com

22 Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce

SMALL BUSINESS

Small Biz Resources Where to Go to Stay in the Know The Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber is a strong advocate for small business and entrepreneurship. Check out these resources and opportunities: • Good Morning Breakfasts allow members to network and build relationships within the business community. • Lunch n’ Learn programs offer tips on sales and marketing strategies. • Together Thursday provides business after-hours networking events. • Programs geared towards women business owners are offered, like the SBA Women’s Network for Entrepreneurial Training (WNET) and KeyBank/Key4Women programs.

• The largest one-day Business EXPO in the Northwest. • Small Business Advisory Committee meets on a regular basis and brainstorms ideas to help small businesses. • A Web page for small business called “The Small Business Resource Center” provides links to resources for small business. You can find this information on the Chamber’s Web site at www.tacomachamber.org.

For more information, contact the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce at 253-627-2175 and visit www.tacomachamber.org.

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MANUFACTURING

Cast Away,

Cast Away All

Steel Casting Fettling & Finishes at Atlas

ne of the premier foundries in North America, Atlas Castings & Technology produces high-integrity steel castings for customers around the world, using state-of-the-art technology to produce complicated components with stringent metallurgical and quality requirements. Atlas has evolved into a manufacturer of major metal components, managing the manufacture of a customer’s component from conceptual design to delivery of a final product ready for installation. Duane Britschgi has been CEO since his management team purchased the Tacoma location from its corporate parent in 2002. Britschgi said he is pleased with the growth the company has seen over the last five years. “In 2002, it was a $39 million company,” he explained. “We have had phenomenal, 46 percent growth year after year, and we hope to break $100 million in revenue this year.” The business has changed over the last few years, but they are looking forward to exciting things ahead. “As a combined company, we are now defining a new mission and critical strategy of what we can be the best in the world at,” Britschgi For more information, explained. “We visit www.atlascastings.com. strive to build large, complex, mission-critical steel castings to serve the energy and transportation markets. We see this as a company that will continue to have dramatic growth and will be the supplier and employer of choice for large, mission-critical steel castings.”

24 Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce

MANUFACTURING

Local Artisans Turn Wine Bottles Into Masterpieces

ounded in 1989, Fresh Northwest Design is a pre-eminent studio producing etched, hand-painted bottles. With techniques unique in the industry and a staff of talented artisans, Fresh Northwest Design provides the highest-quality service to the wine industry, corporate market and private sector. The company has worked with a number of high-profile clients. Most recently, Fresh Northwest Design worked with the official winery of the Kentucky Derby to translate its design onto bottles and develop the official bottles for the 2007 race. Fresh Northwest Design’s work can be seen at the area’s most prestigious events, including the Auction of Washington Wines and PONCHO Wine Auction. The high-quality artistry of the bottles reflects the region’s booming wine industry. Scott Schoenen, president of Fresh Northwest Design, says that unless people actually see what they do and view the final product, it is hard to envision it. “It is almost like taking a piece of art or a wine label or corporate logo and translating it three-dimensionally onto a bottle,” he explained. “We do it with a tremendous amount of precision. Each bottle is done completely by hand. Though all the bottles for a project look exactly the same, not one is an exact duplication of another. We handpaint the bottles, and a single bottle takes seven to 10 hours to produce.” Schoenen bought the business in 2006 and employs 10 people, eight of whom are in various capacities of physical production. With a background in business and sales and an eye for art, Schoenen’s leadership ensures that Fresh Northwest Design offers the perfect combination of artistry and commerce. Each year, the company creates a series of seven six-liter bottles for the Sun Valley Wine Auction. Last year, his series of bottles sold for $72,000. “We work across the country and globally,” Schoenen said. “The difference we provide is found in our level of quality and our ability to reach a much higher artistic capability than the average Joe. We literally create art on bottles — and that takes very skilled artisans.” For more information, visit www.freshnwdesign.com.

Pierce County’s Sweet Spot Affection for Confection at Brown & Haley

rown & Haley is a Tacoma tradition 100 years in the making. In the early 1900s, Harry L. Brown owned a small confectionery and enjoyed experimenting with chocolate and sugar candies. Meanwhile, J.C. Haley, who had a flair for sales and advertising, was working for Shilling and Company, a spice company. Brown and Haley met in church in Tacoma in 1908, after Haley moved from West Virginia seeking his fortune. They began working together in 1912 and incorporated their candy manufacturing business in 1914. By 1916, Brown & Haley was marketing a full line of candy products. One of those earliest products, the Mountain® Bar, was formulated in 1918 and has been produced continuously in the years since. The Roca® Buttercrunch Toffee was formulated in 1923.

Pierson Clair has served as president of Brown & Haley since 1999. In the last three years, he notes, a number of new products have been produced, such as the Moca Roca®, Candy Cane Roca®, Sugar Free Cashew Roca® and Sugar Free Almond Roca®. “Brown & Haley is an international supplier of confections,” Clair explained. “Our products can be found in 36 countries around the world, and we ship from the Port of Tacoma. The future goal of the company is to continuously find and develop fine people to foster a love of very sophisticated food and confections.” For more information, visit www.brown-haley.com. www.tacomachamber.org 25

Get Up and I Get Moving A Healthier You

HEALTH CARE

n Washington State, we want to be number one — the number one healthiest state in the nation, that is. The Washington Health Foundation’s (WHF) Healthiest State in the Nation campaign is working with lawmakers, individuals, businesses, organizations and schools to build healthy systems and promote healthy living. Our state is well on its way to achieving the number one ranking. The United Health Foundation currently ranks Washington State as number 15 and the Washington Health Foundation ranks it as number 14. We believe we can do even better. So far, nearly 30,000 individuals, 800 organizations and 200 schools across the state have joined the Healthy Washington Campaign, and more are joining every day. Since its inception, WHF has given more than $11 million in grants to fund health improvement in Washington State. Rural grant programs have included Rural Health Viability Grants, The Future of Rural Health, Rural Health Improvement Grants, the Rural Home Health Demonstration Program, and Quality Network grants. In addition, WHF has directly implemented numerous programs, including the Community Health Access Program, the Latina Health Fair and the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program. The Healthy Washington Campaign has also publicized and encouraged numerous annual events in the Pierce County area, including luncheons, walks, runs, half-marathons, bicycle races, a street scramble and visits from the Kidmobile mobile recreation program. For more information, check out www.whf.org.

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HEALTH CARE

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HEALTH CARE

World-Class Health Care An Abundance of Options Close to Home

acoma’s two largest private employers are both health care systems: MultiCare Health System and Franciscan Health System. Together, these two companies have more than 10,000 employees working hard to ensure the good health of the community. MultiCare is an integrated health organization made up of four hospitals, numerous primary care and urgent care clinics, multi-specialty centers, Hospice, and Home Health service. Serving the Tacoma community since 1882, MultiCare is a not-for-profit organization that has grown exponentially over the years in response to community needs. Today, it is the area’s largest provider of health care services, serving patients at 93 locations in Pierce, South King, Kitsap, and Thurston counties. Planning for the future begins in 2008 when ground will be broken for a new Patient Care Tower and Medical Office Building for Good Samaritan Hospital. Phase I of the project will include the addition of 80 private

patient rooms, six to eight operating rooms, and a new Emergency Department, Imaging Department, and parking garage. A new 50,000-square-foot Emergency Services facility is under construction at Tacoma General and Mary Bridge. This will better enable the hospital to handle the nearly 70,000 patients seen in the Tacoma General and Mary Bridge Emergency departments. It is expected to be completed in late 2009. Franciscan Health System is a nonprofit organization affiliated with Catholic Health Initiatives. The first Franciscan hospital in Tacoma was founded in 1891 by the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia. Franciscan Health System jumped 28 spots in 2007 to land at number eight on Verispan’s prestigious annual list of the most highly integrated, most efficient and best-performing health care networks in the nation. This marks the fourth straight year that Franciscan has been included on the Top 100 list of best performers, and it has risen steadily

toward the top during that time. In addition, the Franciscan Health System received the Washington State Quality Award for performance excellence in 2007. “The demand for health care continues to increase as the populations of the communities we serve continue to grow,” said Franciscan’s President and CEO Joe Wilczek. “In turn, we make significant investments in medical technology, in our facilities and in our staff in order to ensure that we provide stateof-the-art medicine every day.” In response to increased demand, Franciscan Health System will build a muchneeded, $40 million replacement hospital in neighboring King County’s Enumclaw within the next four years. At 90,000 square feet, the new hospital will be nearly twice the size of the existing facility. In addition, in April 2007 Franciscan began construction of its fifth hospital, St. Anthony Hospital in Gig Harbor, an 80-bed facility that will open in early 2009.

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HOUSING

Hang Your Hat

Great Neighborhoods to Call Home

Downtown Living For those looking for an urban lifestyle in the heart of the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s arts, commercial and educational center, downtown Tacoma offers a variety of housing opportunities, including 700 new condominiums, townhomes and apartments. The area has seen a 19 percent increase in the number of housing units available in the past few years. Young professionals will find affordable choices, as new units are selling for $150,000 to more than $500,000, and rents in the downtown area range from $400 to $800 for existing apartments and from $800 to $1,600 for new construction. Many downtown Tacoma homes feature stunning views of Mount Rainier or the water. Downtown Tacoma is also leading the way in a cutting-edge phenomenon that embraces adaptive reuse of historic buildings. As part of this initiative, historic warehouses, factories and department stores have been retooled, retrofitted and repurposed from the industrial age into a modern economy. Many of these buildings have been remodeled into condominiums for the latest in urban living alternatives.

Proctor District A quieter version of modern chic can be found in the Proctor District, one of the most sought-after communities in the area. Just outside the bustle of downtown, the three-block, walkable Proctor District is defined by an outstanding shopping district that includes gourmet grocers, specialty boutiques, charming shops, a movie theater, trendy new eateries and fine dining. Necessary services like banks, dry cleaners and a post office are right in the neighborhood. Homeowners can enjoy parks, hiking trails, educational opportunities, health care facilities, wonderful schools and their own branch library. Community bonds are built through regular festivals and gatherings like the Proctor Farmers Market, Arts Festival, The Junior Daffodil Parade and Proctor Treats. Located in North Tacoma near Point Defiance Park, the Proctor District features access to the freeway and waterway as well as views of Commencement Bay and Mount Ranier. Many of the homes were built at the turn of the 20th century, and common architectural styles include Craftsman, Bungalow, English Cottage, Colonial and Tudor. Prices range from $150,000 to more than $500,000.

UNIVERSITY PLACE In the 1800s the University of Puget Sound, a private liberal arts college in North Tacoma, purchased land along the primary north-south route of Grandview Drive. The school first sought to build a private Methodist college, but they ended up selling the land back to the city for $11,000. University Place remained an unincorporated part of Pierce County until the City of University Place was created in August 1995. Today University Place is a bustling mixed business and residential city near the Puget Sound waterfront. It is a relatively affluent area and enjoys a low crime rate. The community is small but has fielded notable high school teams and is home to Charles Wright Academy, one of the finest private schools in the state. Chambers Creek, a world-class golf course, was recently completed at University Place. 30 Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce

HOUSING

On the Cutting Edge Fort Lewis Carves Out Its Residential Communities Initiative

ort Lewis is leading the way for the military’s privatization of military housing under the Residential Communities Initiative. As exiting military personnel were surveyed, they listed “lack of quality housing” as the number one reason they chose not to re-enlist. Much of the existing housing in the area was more than 40 years old and was sadly in need of major maintenance. Thus the Residential Communities Initiative was born as a cutting-edge way to provide housing for the military. Kimberly Schreiver works with Equity Residential, the private company that manages the housing on Fort Lewis. “Initiative partners, such as Equity Residential, are paid rent to transfer homes to the partners,” she explained. “We legally own the military homes on Fort Lewis. By transferring assets, partners are able to leverage those assets, combined with monthly rents, and obtain loans to complete construction and renovation of housing on our military bases.” In April 2002, Fort Lewis became one of the military’s four original pilot programs for the Residential Communities Initiative, which has a 10-year initial development period. During that time, Equity Residential will demolish 550 homes, build 1,000 new homes, and renovate 2,600 homes. According to Schreiver, they are currently ahead of their original estimates. “We have renovated 1,850 homes, and our demolition is 100 percent complete,” she explained. “We have also put in 52 new parks and playgrounds, 67 bus shelters, and many miles of trails linking each community to the others. We have also, in direct response to our families’ requests, built four community centers that are dispersed among the neighborhoods.” Among the Equity Residential’s five different survey mediums, a 95 to 97 percent satisfaction rate has been realized. “Our biggest challenge is not being able to do it fast enough,” she said with a laugh. “All families want new housing.” Schreiver described the relationship between the U.S. Army and private entities as an LLC partnership. “We are not a contractor,” she expanded. “We own and operate Ft. Lewis Communities and receive no government funding. Our families actually sign lease agreements with Equity, and we are required to comply with fair housing and open our homes to inspection.” Previous homes were 1,200 square feet, but new homes are being built at an average of 1,800 square feet, with 9-foot ceilings, 2.5 baths, walk-in closets, crown molding, new flooring, carpeting, quality vinyl and a center island in the kitchen. The homes meet all international residential code and are market competitive with what would be found in Tacoma. The new housing currently has a 97 percent occupation rate, but, like other military housing across the country, it has been built only to fill the gap of what the community can provide. “Only 30 percent of our families live in military housing on Fort Lewis,” Schreiver explained. “The other 70 percent live in private housing in the Tacoma area. We do not overbuild. We only support the community; we do not replace what it can already provide.”

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THE HEART OF TACOMA

New Ideas for Classic Buildings

owntown Tacoma is leading the way in the adaptive reuse of historic buildings. As part of this initiative, historic warehouses, factories and department stores have been retooled, retrofitted and re-purposed from the industrial age into a modern economy. The idea grew out of a crisis with the historic Union Station Hotel. Originally constructed in 1911, Union Station, the one-time terminus of the railroad, had fallen into disrepair and had actually been condemned. A group of local citizens banded together to save the structure. It’s now the entrance to the federal courthouse, with native son Dale Chihuly’s glass art filling the historic rotunda. Union Station was the catalyst that inspired the community to band together. The following projects are restoration initiatives that have been undertaken both in the downtown area and throughout Tacoma.

32 Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce

• Renaissance at Old City Hall, Spring Air Mattress Building, The Luna, Cliff Street Lofts, Hunt-Mottet Lofts, The Vintage Y, the Bridge Condos, Perler Building and Perkins Building: Each of these historic buildings has been or is in the process of being converted into luxurious residential condominiums. • Schoenfeld Building: Renovation of this 1907 building in 1999 kicked off the latest economic surge in downtown Tacoma. DaVita, which employs more than 600, now occupies the facility at 15th Street. • Bonnell Building: Plans for redevelopment of the building, located at 755 Broadway, into a mixed-use facility call for retail stores on the Commerce Street level, an independent cinema on the Broadway street front, and housing units above.

• Horizon Pacific Center: A multi-phase renovation of a series of buildings at 21st and Pacific Avenue is under way. Tenants in the first office building include Expedia.com, BCRA Architects, and 21 Commerce Restaurant and Martini Bar. Adjacent redevelopment efforts include the renovation of a former manufacturing building that now houses The Melting Pot and El Gaucho Restaurant, two upscale eateries. • Bone Dry Shoe Building: Local architects McGranahan & Associates purchased this 1919 manufacturing facility and completed a $1 million renovation in 2000. It now houses their offices and additional retail space. • F.W. Woolworth Building: This 50-year-old building at 955 Broadway is one of only two art deco buildings in downtown Tacoma. The conversion from a retail store to a technology

center was completed in 2001, and the building is now owned by AT&T Wireless. • Passages Building – Opera Alley: Renovation of this 1889 building at 708 Broadway sparked the creation of “Opera Alley,” a lively collection of shops and businesses. Originally known as the Abbott Building, the structure underwent a $2.3 million renovation and was placed on the Tacoma Register of Historic Places in October 2000. For more information about these projects, contact Paul Ellis, metropolitan development director, at the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce: 253-627-2175 or paul.ellis@tacomachamber.org.

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THE HEART OF TACOMA

Life on the Waterfront Waterfront Renewal Along the Thea Foss

he Thea Foss Waterway, adjacent to downtown Tacoma, is the Pacific Northwest’s newest mixed-use waterfront community. The Foss Waterway Development Authority is the coordinating agency for the waterfront’s development. The Tacoma City Council formed the seven-member Foss Waterway Development Authority Board (FWDA) in 1996 to oversee property development and marketing of the publicly owned Foss Waterway property. FWDA’s efforts have set precedents in planning, engineering and other development activities in cooperation with regulatory agencies. The FWDA sells or leases Foss Waterway property for development, and it manages

leasehold properties and business interests on its own properties. FWDA’s newest project is the Thea Foss Waterway Esplanade, which will stretch along the entire 1.5 miles of the western side of the Thea Foss Waterway and will reconnect the downtown business district and the Union Station Historical District to the waterfront. Located in the heart of the beautiful Thea Foss Waterway, the Esplanade Tacoma offers elegant urban living with immediate access to all of Tacoma’s downtown amenities. A total of 162 condominium homes are being developed, of which 30 percent have been sold. These homes offer a beautiful view of the Thea Foss Waterway, Tacoma’s city skyline,

For more information, contact the Foss Waterway Development Authority at 253-597-8122. or the Cascade Mountains and Mount Rainier. The location offers easy access to all of Tacoma’s urban amenities and convenient light rail service for commuter destinations. Home amenities include stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, slate-tiled entries, plush carpeting and large, private, glass-railed decks. Additional resident benefits include a community lounge, an on-location fitness center, a business center and conference room availability, controlled-access entry, and a parking garage.

Other development projects on the Thea Foss include: • Museum of Glass-International Center for Contemporary Art: A dramatic worldclass museum celebrates contemporary and glass art in a 55,000-square-foot facility at the south end of the waterway. • Chihuly Bridge of Glass: A spectacular 500-foot pedestrian bridge links the Museum of Glass to the plaza at Union Station and frames the entrance to downtown. • Albers Mill Development: Albers Mill is a 1904 brick cereal mill. Heritage Properties of Anchorage, Alaska, has rehabilitated the 34 Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce

building to contain the Travor Gallery and 36 loft apartments. • Albers Transient Moorage: Marina support facilities east of Albers Mill are currently being constructed. Slips are designed to attract and service larger boats. • Thea’s Landing: Developed by Team Tacoma LLC, Thea’s Landing has 188 residential apartments, 47 condominium homes and 431 parking stalls. This $35 million project abuts the northern edge of the Museum of Glass. • Foss Waterway Marina: FW Development LLC is redeveloping the Foss Waterway

Marina as a mixed-use project. Market-rate condominiums and/or office space with marine-related retail are anticipated for this $50 million project. • Maritime Center (Puget Sound Freight Building): Redevelopment as the Foss Waterway Seaport is now under way with the Commencement Bay Maritime Association. Phases of the $21.5 million project will include a restored historic building, marinas and a public esplanade. • Inn on the Foss: Plans are under way for the 2008 construction of this boutique hotel and upscale condominium project.

RECREATION/TOURISM

, Home Home on the Green Where the Pros and the Amateurs Play

36 Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce

RECREATION/TOURISM

olf legend Arnold Palmer once said, “What other people may find in poetry or art museums, I find in the flight of a good drive.” If you think it’s unusual to compare the game of golf to fine art, then you haven’t visited Chambers Bay. Standing as Washington State’s golf masterpiece, Chambers Bay at University Place is unlike anything else in the United States. This breathtaking course, which opened in June 2007, is a unique tribute to the historic links of Scotland and Ireland. It is flanked on one side by the scenic backdrop of Puget Sound, as its breathtaking layout winds through a stunning coastal setting and along windswept dunes and native fescue grasses. Beyond the islands and saltwater, the snow-capped Olympic Mountains stand majestically. Robert Trent Jones II, the pre-eminent golf design firm worldwide, created the design of this links course, which is as beautiful as the natural glory that surrounds it. Though many golfers use the terms “links” and “golf course” interchangeably, the term “links” is actually a specific type of golf course. More than 500 years ago, the game of golf arose on the sandy windswept dunes between the North Sea and the fertile farmlands near the Town of St. Andrews. The land upon which the game began has been described as “Linksland,” meaning the link between the sea and the farmland or, as some believe, the link between the sea and the town. Throughout the British Isles, links golf is played on similar landscapes. According to the PGA Professionals’ Guide to Travel, “The Classic Links golf courses of Scotland, Ireland and England all share similar settings: hardened by the sea, buffeted by breeze and built along the firm, fast ground and dunes that link the ocean to land.” The links-style course at Chambers Bay presents an entirely different game than the manicured games most American golfers are used to. Also, the tough fescue grass native to Scotland and Ireland makes up the vast majority of grass in the Pacific Northwest and will present a new sort of challenge to golfers. Golf carts are not allowed on the course, and the clubhouse facilities are located away from Puget Sound, which allows seven of the course’s holes to feel as though they literally touch the water. Pierce County Executive John Ladenburg was the visionary behind the project. “The idea to build a golf course at the bay area had been floating around for more than a decade,” he explained. “The vision was to create an upscale, world-class golf course to use as an economic development tool to attract tourists and major golf tournaments. My staff and I conceived the Chambers Bay idea as we studied the concept of a golf course as a revenue producer and researched how we could enhance that idea to the greatest degree.” The course will provide an incomparable venue for large-scale tournament events, as well as intimate private group outings. “It will help the economy in a major way,” Ladenburg said. “It will be a place where you can take your family and friends and show off what our community can do.” www.tacomachamber.org 37

RECREATION/TOURISM

By the

Bunch Pierce County Celebrates 75 Years of Daffodils

38 Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce

he Daffodil Festival is a spring tradition for the city of Tacoma. Celebrating its 75th year in 2008, the annual festival culminates with the Grand Floral Street Parade, which travels through the cities of Tacoma, Puyallup, Sumner and Ortig, all in one day. Daffodils first came to the Puyallup Valley around 1925 to replace the area’s dying hop industry. The U.S. Department of Agriculture recommended bulb growing because of the Valley’s excellent soil and ideal climate. About 200 varieties of daffodils are grown today. The Daffodil Festival tradition started as a spring garden party near Sumner’s floral fields, but as the daffodils grew, so did the crowds and the traffic. At times, more than 8,000 vehicles crowded the roads bordering the golden fields. In 1934, a local suggested a parade to alleviate those issues, and the tradition was born. The 26.2-mile parade is one of the longest in the United States. It consists of approximately 40 float entries and 80 other entries, including bands, mounted police, rodeo riders, military troops and clowns. Each float is decorated with fresh-cut daffodils. You can also see vintage cars and John Deere tractors and the Daffodil Queen and her court. In addition, the Daffodil Festival Annual Junior Parade, hosted by the Proctor District of Tacoma, is geared to children and encourages fun, creativity and partnership for the young people of the area. Costumes, pets, music and non-motorized floats make this parade a special event. The winning contestant will be a V.I.M. — “Very Important Mutt” — in the Junior Daffodil Parade. The weekend also includes a Marine Parade that begins at the Tacoma Yacht Club. The Daffodil Festival is a 501(c)(3) Organization. For more information, call 253-863-9524.

RECREATION/TOURISM

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RECREATION/TOURISM

A History of

Boxing FastFact The International Boxing Hall of Fame opened in Canastota in 1989. The first inductees in 1990 included Jack Johnson, Benny Leonard, Jack Dempsey, Henry Armstrong, Sugar Ray Robinson, Archie Moore, and Muhammad Ali. http://en.wikipedia.org/ wiki/Boxing

Tacoma’s Golden Gloves

acoma Mayor Bill Baarsma knows a great deal about how to lead a great city. He also knows a great deal about the history of the sport of Golden Glove Boxing in Tacoma. The Golden Gloves is an annual competition for amateur boxing. The contest is sponsored and controlled by the Golden Gloves Association of America Inc. Each state has its own Golden Gloves competitions, and the state winners then box in the national competition, the Golden Gloves Tournament of Champions. As mayor, Baarsma annually awards the winner of Tacoma’s Golden Gloves. But that awards ceremony is not just another executive duty for him. Baarsma is a boxing enthusiast, and he can tell you anything you want to know about the history of boxing in Tacoma. Tacoma’s is the second-oldest Golden Gloves competition in the United States. The Tacoma Athletic Commission (TAC) has partnered with USA Boxing, the Boys and Girls Clubs, and the

40 Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce

Tacoma Boxing Club for more than 50 years to put on this premier Pacific Northwest event. Tacoma’s first Golden Gloves was held in 1949 at the College of Puget Sound Field House. As a youngster, Baarsma acted as a towel boy and retrieved towels at ringside and reported the fight results to guys waiting in the dressing room. “When I was first involved in boxing, it was long before the Seahawks, Mariners, Sonics and other major league sports came to town,” he explained. “Tacoma has always been a real fight town, and the Golden Gloves was the biggest athletic event of the year.” He saw the glory days of “Irish Pat” McMurtry, Mike McMurtry, Johnny Bumphus, Sugar Ray Seales and Pete Rademacher and got to know the fighters. “A lot of great fighters who came through the Golden Gloves went on to become champions or medal winners,” Baarsma continued. “The Golden Gloves is synonymous with terrific fighters.”

RECREATION/TOURISM

Wine Me & Dine Me L Local Libations & Crafty Cuisine

ooking for opportunities for a fun night out on the town? Tacoma is the place to be. Tacoma is home to every kind of cooking — from down-home Southern food to the finest lobster in the Northwest. From elegant waterfront dining to more casual pubs, clubs and sports bars, you can find every type of cuisine imaginable. Enjoy Mediterranean, Italian, Mexican, Chinese, Caribbean, Cajun, Creole, Asian, Japanese, Thai and Indian cuisine. Dine on fresh seafood, Southern cuisine or barbeque. Check out an Internet café, bakery or unique coffeehouse. Along with Tacoma’s downtown revitalization has come a flourish of new and exciting restaurants. Among the fresh faces in the downtown scene are acclaimed Northwest steakhouse El Gaucho and fondue eatery The Melting Pot, making Tacoma a fashionable evening destination. Other longtime favorites include Stanley & Seaforts, offering fine dining high above Tacoma’s cityscape on the eastside; C.I. Shenanigan’s; and The Ram and Katie Downs along the Ruston Way waterfront. Others, like Anthony’s Homeport near Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, are always sure to please.

For a complete listing of area restaurants and bars, check out the Tacoma Regional Convention and Visitors Bureau at www.tacomatravel. com or visit Trip Advisor online at www.tripadvisor.com/Tourismg58775-Tacoma_Washington-Vacations.html.

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ARTS/CULTURE

42 Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce

ARTS/CULTURE

Broadway Broadway Center: A Historical Nexus of Performing Arts

he mission of the Broadway Center is to provide outstanding venues to entertain, educate and delight people of all ages. With three unique theaters and an acclaimed performance series, the Broadway Center serves as a vital and valuable steward of the arts. • The Pantages, an elegant, historic theater seating 1,169, offers a lush performance experience and is home to the Tacoma Opera, Tacoma City Ballet, Tacoma Philharmonic, Tacoma Concert Band and Tacoma Symphony. • The Rialto, a 742-seat theater that originally served as a grand movie palace, hosts the Tacoma Youth Symphony Association, the Northwest Sinfonietta and the Puget Sound Revels. • Theatre on the Square, a 302-seat facility with a contemporary flair, offers a more intimate setting and is home to the Tacoma Actors Guild. In addition, special offerings run the gamut from jazz, comedy, Celtic music and musical theatre to acrobats, nationally known performers, children’s performances and dance. For more information, call 253-591-5894.

Motion Pictures Filmed on Location in Tacoma

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• Parts of the movie 10 Things I Hate About You (1999) were filmed at Stadium High School and in the nearby North End neighborhood. • I Love You to Death (1990) was filmed in downtown and central Tacoma. Kevin Kline’s pizzeria was located in the Bostwick Building downtown. Also featured was the 1927 Java Jive, a Tacoma tavern shaped like a giant coffee pot.

• The Hand That Rocks the Cradle (1992) featured several Tacoma locations, including a North Tacoma home, downtown Tacoma and Wright Park’s Seymour Botanical Conservatory. • Prefontaine (1997) was filmed in large part at the University of Puget Sound, with the school’s Baker Stadium standing in for the University of Oregon’s famed Hayward Field grandstand and track.

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ARTS/CULTURE

Asia Pacific Cultural Center T

Up Close With New Director Phil Chang: What’s in Store? he Asia Pacific Cultural Center (AAPC) was formed in November 1996 from the vision of a small group of citizens representing three generations of Americans of Asian and Pacific Island heritage. APCC represents 47 countries and cultures, offering programs and services honoring their distinct artistry, business protocols, history and social practices. Phil Chang took the helm as director of the AAPC in the spring of 2007. He said the Cultural Treasure Trunks is a project that the AAPC’s board has made a priority. “The Cultural Treasure Trunk Project is an educational program aimed at schools and designed to increase knowledge and understanding of Asian and Pacific Island cultures at the fifth through eighth grade level. Cultural Treasure Trunks are culturally themed, portable trunks that will be accompanied by cultural interpreters.” Chang’s long-term goal is to work collaboratively with other groups, such as the Tacoma Art Museum, in the community. “We are also in the planning stages of a collaboration with the Tacoma Musical Playhouse and the Washington History Museum,” Chang said. “The project with the Washington History Museum involves the School of the Arts and will present oral histories to be used in conjunction with a show from the Smithsonian on ‘Becoming an American,’ which will be traveling to the History Museum next spring.”

A P l a c e t o Pa r k America’s Largest Auto Collection

Filled with automobiles and memorabilia in its 500,000 feet of gallery, display and storage space, the Harold LeMay Museum is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest privately owned collection in the world. The LeMay provides a venue to explore history, design, technology and restoration.

44 Tacoma-Pierce ierce County Chamber of Commerce

The late Harold E. LeMay amassed this collection which, at its peak, numbered in excess of 3,000 vehicles and thousands of artifacts. The collection, recognized by many as a national treasure, represents the American experience with the automobile as it spans the 20th century and features virtually every American make as well as numerous foreign cars.

Tours are available Tuesday through Saturday. The LeMay Museum is currently in the midst of a campaign to open a new facility in 2009. The new museum campus will cover 9 acres and will be located adjacent to the Tacoma Dome alongside Interstate 5. For more information, call 253-779-8490.

ARTS/CULTURE

Where’s

Some Like It

HOT

Chihuly? T Local Installations of Chihuly’s Glass Art

Museum of Glass: International Center of Contemporary Art A 75,000-square-foot museum with galleries, exhibition spaces, a 180-seat theater, the Hot Shop Amphitheater and more. 1801 Dock St., Tacoma, 253-284-4750 Chihuly Bridge of Glass A 500-foot pedestrian bridge conceived by Dale Chihuly leads to the Museum of Glass. Includes the Seaform Pavilion, Crystal Towers and Venetian Wall. 1801 Dock St., Tacoma, 253-396-1768 Union Station Dale Chihuly chandelier, Venetians, Persian Window, Ikebana and Drawing Wall, and other set pieces. 171 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253-572-9310 Tacoma Art Museum Permanent collection of Chihuly artwork in a private gallery. 1701 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253-272-4258

University of Washington: Tacoma Branch Library Dale Chihuly chandelier in tower of library. 1900 Commerce St., Tacoma, 253-692-5700 Tacoma News Tribune Dale Chihuly chandelier in lobby. 1950 State St., Tacoma, 253-597-8552 University of Puget Sound Chihuly found inspiration in the changing fall colors of a campus ivy-colored wall and created the Chihuly Window above the Wyatt Hall entrance. 1500 North Warner, Tacoma, 253-879-3184 Pacific Lutheran University The Chihuly Persian Window in the Mary Baker Russell Music Center features four ninepiece glass “roses,” each addressing a different theological symbol. 12180 Park St. South, Tacoma, 253-535-7499

he Museum of Glass provides a dynamic learning environment to appreciate the medium of glass through creative experiences, collections and exhibitions. The museum’s exhibition schedule showcases works by internationally known artists who illuminate trends in contemporary art, highlighting glass within a full range of media. The museum’s iconic 90-foot steel cone houses the Hot Shop and has become a Northwest landmark. This state-of-the-art studio features several furnaces burning at over 2,000° Fahrenheit. Visitors can witness the museum’s resident team of artists create works of art from glowing, molten glass. The glass-blowing demonstrations in the Hot Shop are not staged — they’re the process of real artists engaged in real creative projects. A partnership between the Museum of Glass, legendary Studio Glass pioneer Dale Chihuly, architect Arthur Andersson, and the City of Tacoma resulted in the amazing Chihuly Bridge of Glass. This 500-footlong pedestrian overpass links the museum to downtown Tacoma and its developing cultural corridor. For more information on the Museum of Glass, call 253-284-4750.

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College Town

EDUCATION

U.S.A. Higher Education in the Tacoma Region

JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF WASHINGTON Operating since 1919 nationally and since 1953 in Washington, Junior Achievement (JA) is a nonprofit organization providing a series of business, economic and lifeskills programs to enhance the education of young people. The JA dynamic is found in the hands-on, interactive materials that comprise its business and economic curricula and the community volunteers who bring the programs to life on a daily basis. More than 3,000 community volunteers spend time in classrooms, working with young people and providing important adult mentorship. JA serves students in 69 school districts throughout western Washington and the Tri-Cities and more than 100,000 kindergarten through 12th grade students each school year. To learn more about volunteering, call 206-296-2600.

The University of Washington Tacoma

1900 Commerce St. 253-692-4000 Tacoma, WA 98402 www.tacoma.washington.edu

liberal arts studies and professional preparation. A dynamic academic program features five professional schools and selective graduate programs that maintain a strong liberal arts emphasis at their core. PLU is the only Northwest university to be listed every year within the top 15 Western region universities in the “Best Colleges” survey, published annually by U.S. News & World Report. PLU has remained closely affiliated with the Lutheran church and is now a university of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

Since opening its doors in 1990, the University of Washington Tacoma has provided high-quality programs leading to bachelor’s and master’s degrees. With a current enrollment of more than 2,200 students, UW Tacoma is closely linked to the South Puget Sound community — most of its students come from Pierce County and surrounding counties, and the majority of them remain in the area.

City University of Seattle: Fife Campus

University of Puget Sound

3700 Pacific Highway E 253- 896-210 Fife, WA 98424 www.cityu.edu/loc_tacoma.htm

1500 N. Warner St. Tacoma, WA 98416

253-879-3100 www.ups.edu

The University of Puget Sound is a nationally ranked liberal arts college with a strong commitment to teaching excellence, scholarly engagement and fruitful student-faculty interaction. The university is an independent, predominantly residential undergraduate college with selected graduate programs building effectively on a liberal arts foundation. Nearly 2,600 students from 47 states and territories and 14 countries live and learn at the university, founded in 1888.

City University of Seattle is one of the Northwest’s largest private, not-for-profit universities, with over 40,000 graduates worldwide. Founded in Seattle in 1973 as City College, the name of the institution was changed to City University of Seattle in 1982. The university awards degrees and certificates at the undergraduate and graduate levels in dozens of academic fields and offers a varied and extensive program of continuing education. It also conducts a worldwide distance education program. The Fife location offers degree programs in the fields of management, education and general studies.

Pacific Lutheran University

Evergreen State College Tacoma

12180 Park Ave. S Tacoma, WA 98447

800-274-6758 www.plu.edu

Pacific Lutheran University was founded in 1890 by a group of mostly Norwegian Lutherans from the Puget Sound region. Today PLU is a comprehensive university with an enrollment of about 3,500 students. As a member of the Associated New American Colleges, PLU is committed to the integration of

46 Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce

1210 6th Ave. Tacoma, WA 98405

253-680-3000 www.evergreen.edu/tacoma

Evergreen State College is a public, four-year college founded in 1967. It serves a total of 4,500 students. Students at the Tacoma campus design academic pathways that allow them to pursue a liberal arts bachelor’s degree concentrating on areas such as community and organizational development, public

EDUCATION

administration and management, law and public policy, social services leadership, education and training, cultural studies, media arts, and environmental and public health.

Washington State University Puyallup 7612 Pioneer Way E Puyallup, WA 98371

253-445-4501 www.puyallup.wsu.edu

Washington State University first opened its doors in 1892 as the Washington Agricultural College and Schools of Science with 13 collegiate and 46 preparatory students. Today it is a nationally recognized research university with more than 23,000 students across the state. It offers more than 200 fields of study and more than 150 majors, 70 master’s degree programs and 44 doctoral programs. Washington State University’s Puyallup Campus has a vision to be a world-class extension and research center committed to enhancing the intellectual, creative and practical abilities of the individuals, institutions and communities it serves.

Education & the Arts: Tacoma School of the Arts The mission of the Tacoma School of the Arts is to provide an urban center offering a creative path of learning that emphasizes human expression through the visual and performing arts as central elements in academic achievement and lifelong endeavor. The Tacoma School of the Arts was created in the fall of 2001. Since then, it has established itself as an integral part of the downtown Tacoma community. With three locations — 1818 Tacoma Ave., 1950 Pacific Ave., and 1117 Broadway — the school has been able to integrate itself with the growing art community. Students use the local museum and theatre locations as both resources and learning spaces. The University of Washington, Tacoma, provides teaching spaces for mathematics instructors but also has use of SOTA art studios for some of its own class. For more information, call 253-571-7900 or visit www.tacoma.k12.wa.us/ schools/hs/sota/.

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EDUCATION

Making the Gr de Pierce County K–12 Public School Districts

Bethel School District 403 516 176th St. E Spanaway, WA 98387

253-517-1000 www.fifeschools.com

Steilacoom Historical School District 1 510 Chambers 253-983-2200 Steilacoom, WA 98388 www.steilacoom.k12.wa.us

Carbonado Historical School District 19 427 4th St. 360-829-0121 Carbonado, WA 98323 www.carbonado.k12.wa.us

Franklin Pierce School District 402 315 129th St. S 253-298-3000 Tacoma, WA 98444 www.fp.k12.wa.us

Sumner School District 320 1202 Wood Ave. 253-891-6000 Sumner, WA 98390 www.sumner.wednet.edu

Clover Park School District 400 10903 Gravelly Lake Drive SW 253-583-5000 Lakewood, WA 98499 www.cloverpark.k12.wa.us

Orting School District 344 120 Washington Ave. N 360-893-6500 Orting, WA 98360 www.orting.wednet.edu

Tacoma School District 10 2708 N. Union Ave. 253-571-1000 Tacoma, WA 98401 www.tacoma.k12.wa.us

Dieringer School District 343 1320 178th Ave. E 253-862-2537 Lake Tapps, WA 98391 www.dieringer.wednet.edu

Peninsula School District 401 14015 62nd Ave. NW 253-530-1000 Gig Harbor, WA 98332 www.peninsula.wednet.edu

University Place School District 83 3717 Grandview Drive W 253-566-5600 University Place, WA 98466 www.upsd.wednet.edu

Eatonville School District 404 208 Lynch St. 360-879-1000 Eatonville, WA 98328 http://cruiser.eatonville.wednet.edu/

Puyallup School District 3 302 Second Street SE 253-841-1301 Puyallup, WA 98372 www.puyallup.k12.wa.us

White River School District 416 240 N. A St. 360-829-0600 Buckley, WA 98321 www.whiteriver.wednet.edu

253-683-6000 www.bethelsd.org

Fife School District 417 5802-20 St. E Tacoma, WA 98424

Community & Technical Colleges L.H. Bates Technical College 1101 S. Yakima Ave. Tacoma, WA 98405

253-680-7000 www.bates.ctc.edu

Bates Technical College is an accredited, publicly supported college. Bates’ mission is “To inspire, challenge and educate.” For nearly 65 years, the Tacoma community has supported the efforts of Bates Technical College — over 450 community members assist the college by serving on its advisory committees. Bates Technical College provides high-quality career and technical training, as well as general education.

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Pierce College Puyallup/ Pierce College SteilaCoom 1601 39th Ave. SE Puyallup, WA 98374

253-840-8400

9401 Farwest Drive SW Lakewood, WA 98498

253-964-6500

www.pierce.ctc.edu Pierce College is actually two community colleges and an extended learning program within Pierce County. Pierce is one of the largest educational providers in the state and is nationally ranked in degrees conferred. The school first opened its doors in 1967 as Clover Park Community College, and its administrative offices and library were housed in a remodeled grocery store. Today, over 6,000 students are enrolled at two campuses. Pierce College’s goal is to prepare students to live and work in a dynamically changing world by emphasizing whole-student development and hands-on learning.

Tacoma Community College 6501 S. 19th St. Tacoma, WA 98466

253-566-5000 www.tacomacc.edu

Tacoma Community College, which held its first class in 1965, offers more than 40 study areas and 60 professional and technical degrees and certificates to choose from. Almost 17,000 students enroll at one of TCC’s campus locations every year (2004–2005). While their main campus is in west Tacoma, TCC’s Gig Harbor Campus has created new educational opportunities for thousands of Peninsula residents.