FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 9, 2014

MEDIA CONTACTS
Gwen Schuler, Media and Communications, gschuler@cityoftacoma.org, (253) 591-5160
Carrie McCausland, Media and Communications, cmccausland@cityoftacoma.org, (253) 591-2005

The Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation has announced that the City of Tacoma will receive an award for its “Preventing Neglect of Historic Properties” Tacoma Municipal Code amendment.

This new historic property maintenance code, passed by the City Council in 2013, defines the ongoing neglect of historic structures as a public nuisance. This allows the City to take action earlier in the process of a building’s decline through the authority to deal with public nuisances granted by Washington State law. 

The code amendment is part of a broader effortto protect historic buildings. This includes creating an emergency preservation fund for acting to prevent structure deterioration, code changes for better historic structure code enforcement and greater incentives to encourage historic rehabilitation and adaptive reuse.

“This award is recognition of the high value that Tacoma places on the preservation and care of our historic and cultural places, for the benefit of all citizens,” stated Reuben McKnight, City of Tacoma historic preservation officer. “The historic property maintenance code is one component within our expanded effort to encourage investment and rehabilitation in historic buildings, including more financial and regulatory incentives.”

Last year, the City of Tacoma received a state historic preservation award for the rehabilitation of the Murray Morgan Bridge, which is listed on the Tacoma and National Registers of Historic Places.

###