What is the project timeline?

• First right of refusal to local tribes
• Environmental remediation of the sites/buildings
• Exploring affordable housing options as required by the City
• Request for proposal from developers and/or other partners

What does the future hold for Cushman and Adams Substations?

The reuse study gives the community an opportunity to participate in the City Council and TPU Board’s decisions regarding the future use of the Cushman and Adams Substations. City Council directed the City of Tacoma’s General Government and Tacoma Public Utilities (TPU) to develop a Memorandum of Understanding to work collaboratively and engage the community in the future redevelopment of the properties. 

During the next few years, TPU will continue  to identify alternatives for the equipment repair and storage currently taking place at Cushman Substation and identify environmental clean-up needs. The facility replacement and clean-up initiatives are ongoing. They will be executed according to the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding and informed by any future redevelopment plan(s) for the properties approved by the Public Utility Board and Tacoma City Council.

Email project staff if you would like to receive updates and engagement opportunities.  

How are we using your feedback?

The scenarios studied in this project will be shaped by input from the Tacoma community (citywide) and residents from the surrounding neighborhood. Various engagement activities will provide opportunities for everyone to have input throughout the study effort. Ideas and comments will be gathered through this process (VISIONING) and filtered through technical feasibility analysis for potential future uses (see diagram) to create project alternatives (SCENARIOS), which will be brought back to the community for additional feedback.

How will the final decisions be made to determine the future uses of the buildings and sites?

The Public Utilities Board and Tacoma City Council will make final determinations regarding future uses of the sites. This decision-making process may begin in 2025, pending the completion of any additional follow-on technical studies that might be needed.

• June 2017, the Tacoma City Council placed both substations on the Tacoma Register of Historic Places. The designation includes the exteriors of both buildings and the sites surrounding them (not including the non-historic electrical switchyard equipment).
• July 2018, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by the City of Tacoma’s General Government and Tacoma Public Utilities designates the General Government will lead, with TPU support, an outreach effort to ensure broad community involvement and input regarding future redevelopment of the properties. The City selected the Otak consulting team to complete the Existing Conditions Report.
• As of Aug. 27 2018, the substation is no longer energized and is not a functioning part of the utility’s power system. Tacoma Power continues to use the building for heavy equipment repair and storage of materials.
• October 22, 2019 joint Study Session, the City Council and Tacoma Public Utilities (TPU) Board received an update and provided guidance to staff on the project approach. The TPU Board also discussed the project at their October 23, 2019 TPU Board meeting. 
• March 24, 2020, Tacoma City Council meeting, the project team provided an update on recommended modifications to the engagement strategy and timeline to reflect restrictions on public gatherings. This City Council memo provides more information.
• July 18, 2023, staff presented an updated timeline and restart schedule at a joint Study Session of the City Council and Tacoma Public Utilities Board.
• February 14, 2024, TPU provided an update to the Public Utility Study Session.
• February 20, 2024, there was an update to City Council Study Session
• March 4, 2024, there was an update to the North End Neighborhood Council

Project Factsheet

Factsheet available in:

• English
• ¿Necesita esta información en español? Spanish
• Quý vị có cần nhận được thông tin này bằng tiếng Việt không? Vietnamese 
• Вам нужна эта информация на русском? Russian
• Чи потрібна вам ця інформація українською мовою? Ukrainian 

Existing Conditions Report and Appendices (February 2024):

Project update, June 21, 2024: A document error in the building conditions section of the Existing Conditions Report was brought to our attention. We are temporarily pulling the report from the website while our consultant team is making needed updates, and we will share a revised version later this summer. Thank you for your patience!

• 2017 City Council Resolution 39741, Adding the Cushman Substation and Adams Street Substation to the Tacoma Register of Historic Places Nomination Form 
• 2017 Tacoma Register of Historic Places Nomination Form 
• 2018 City Council and TPU Board Memorandum of Understanding (Updated in 2024) 
• 2018 Resolution No. 40429—A Resolution Amending the Policy for the Sale/Disposition of City-Owned General Government Real Property to Better Align with Current City Goals to Increase Prioritization for Affordable Housing and Equity 
• 2020 Tacoma Public Utilities Surplus Real Property Disposition Policy 121 
• 2024 Cushman Adams Substations - Proctor Neighborhood Plan Feedback Summary Report 
• 2024 Cushman-Adams Future Use Study Community Engagement Plan
• [NEW] 2018 Cushman Phase II Environmental Site Assessment Report 
• [NEW] 2008 Adams Street Substation Soil Investigation

Other:

• City Council and TPU Board Update (February 2024)
•  City Council and TPU Board Update (July 18, 2023)
•  City Council and TPU Board update (October 22, 2019)
•  Project Update to the City Council (January 30, 2019)
•  City Council and TPU Board Memorandum of Understanding (July 24, 2018)
•  City Council Resolution 39741 (June 6, 2017)