FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 14, 2019

MEDIA CONTACTS

Tanisha Jumper, Media and Communications,tjumper@cityoftacoma.org, (253) 591-5152
Maria Lee, Media and Communications, maria.lee@cityoftacoma.org, (253) 591-2054

 

Tacoma Establishes State’s First Transit Oriented Development Advisory Group 

-- First Meeting in Tacoma on August 19 --

TACOMA, Wash. – The state’s first Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Advisory Group has been established in Tacoma, bringing together residents, businesses, property owners, and the planning and economic development communities. Sponsored by Robert Thoms, Tacoma’s City Council Member representing Downtown Tacoma, the TOD Advisory group will help inform the design and development of significant transit projects throughout the City including the Dome District, one of the region’s most transit-rich areas. The TOD Advisory Group seeks to encourage residential development and connections to employment and services as part of a strategic design.

The TOD Advisory Group will meet for the first time from 4 - 5 p.m. on Aug. 19 in the Tacoma Municipal Building (747 Market St., 2nd Floor, Room 243). 

Council Member Thoms and State Transportation Committee Chairman and Rep. Jake Fey (D-Tacoma) will introduce the TOD Advisory Group members and their initial goals to give Tacoma’s community members a greater voice in the transportation investment decisions being made. They will be available to the media for a meet-and-greet from 3:30 - 4 p.m. in the Tacoma Municipal Building (747 Market St., 2nd Floor, Room 248). 
 
“We’re on the cusp of tremendous growth in Tacoma and across our region, and significant investments will be made in our transit infrastructure,” said Tacoma Mayor Victoria Woodards. “As these investments are translated into concrete plans that will enhance our region, decisions will be made that have great impact on Tacoma and the South Sound area for decades to come. It is vital that these decisions are informed and community-based, and I am grateful to those who have stepped up to serve on the TOD Advisory Group to contribute their voices to this process.”

As Tacoma’s transit infrastructure undergoes a period of dramatic transformation with Sound Transit’s Central Link Extension, Pierce Transit’s Bus Rapid Transit service, and the City’s planned Puyallup Avenue design project, the TOD Advisory Group will offer input on how the City and its partners can best ensure new developments are built in a manner that facilitates long-term sustainable growth.

“I’m proud to have partnered with civic and business leaders to sponsor the first ever TOD Advisory Group to ensure Tacoma’s vision and values are protected when historic infrastructure investments are made in the very doorway to our city,” said Council Member Thoms. “The Tacoma Dome Station must be done right. For many, it will be the first thing they see when they arrive in Tacoma.  I believe it will be the second or third most used station in the Sound Transit system the week it opens, so investments that support our city addressing current parking, safety and future infrastructure needs must be addressed now. Tacoma can exemplify how communities lead and embrace development in their neighborhoods, but transit serves people first, and impacts to community members, neighborhoods and business districts should serve as the focal point of design, placement and infrastructure added to protect people’s quality of life.” 

“The Dome District is ideal for TOD and is an integral part of connecting the region,” said Rep Fey. “Through the availability of train, bus and light rail, commuters, residents and guests can more efficiently access jobs and housing as well as services and amenities in Tacoma and throughout the Puget Sound.”
  
The City has retained VIA Architecture to help coordinate the work of the TOD Advisory Group and communicate recommendations to local transit agencies. 

More information about the TOD Advisory Group and the work that they are doing is available at cityoftacoma.org/TODAdvisoryGroup.
 

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