FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 3, 2014

MEDIA CONTACTS
Gwen Schuler, Media and Communications, gschuler@cityoftacoma.org, (253) 591-5160
Maria Lee, Media and Communications, maria.lee@cityoftacoma.org, (253) 591-2054

City of Tacoma Observes Independence Day on July 4

Administrative offices in the Tacoma Municipal Building complex (747 Market St. and 733 Market St.) and in other City of Tacoma facilities will close Friday, July 4, in observance of Independence Day.

The City's landfill, recycling center and household hazardous waste facility (3510 S. Mullen St.) will close on Friday, July 4, and reopen on Saturday, July 5. The facility’s normal operating hours are from 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. Garbage, recycling and yard/food waste pick-ups will be a day late, with Friday pick-ups occurring Saturday.   

Police and fire personnel will be on duty on Friday, July 4. Animal control personnel will be on duty from 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.   

Following is a list of other closures and service adjustments relating to the upcoming holiday:

• Senior centers (415 S. 13th St. and 5016 A St.) will close on Friday, July 4.
• All of the Tacoma Public Library's branches will close on Friday, July 4. 
• The Tacoma Municipal Court (930 Tacoma Ave. S) will close on Friday, July 4.     
• There will be no parking enforcement by City staff on Friday, July 4.
• TAGRO (2201 Portland Ave., Gate 6) will close Friday, July 4 and Saturday, July 5.

Following is a list of road closures associated with Independence Day observances around Tacoma through Monday, July 7. 

• On Friday, July 4, Ruston Way will close for Freedom Fair at 5 a.m. and remain closed until 1 a.m. on Saturday, July 5. Drivers should avoid Schuster Parkway and the intersection of McCarver and North 30th streets in the afternoon. Access to private driveways, parking lots, garages, sidewalks, walkways and alleys may be delayed during the event, and intermittent heavy traffic should be expected throughout the day from Schuster Parkway North to Point Defiance Park. 
• On Friday, July 4, the Independence Day 5K will require rolling road closures from 5 to 11 a.m. along North Vassault Street, North Park Way; North 54th Street, North Bennett Street, North 53rd Street, North Shirley Street, North 51st Street, through Ruston and North Ruston Way.
• A private event will close East 36th Street between East E and East F streets starting at 10 a.m. on Friday, July 4 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 5.
• On Friday, July 4, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., a private event will close North Puget Sound Avenue between North 34rd and North 35th streets.

Fireworks are only legal within Tacoma city limits when a permit has been issued for a sanctioned public event. All other fireworks are illegal. Residents can report fireworks violations by calling (253) 798-4722.  If a fireworks violation appears to put people or property in immediate danger, residents are advised to call 911.