City Hall News: Historic preservation, building demolitions, and Tacoma Water property sale

 

Tacoma residents will have plenty of opportunities next week to learn more about what’s happening in city government.

On Tuesday, Tacoma City Council’s Economic Development Committee will meet at 10 a.m. to discuss a range of issues. Also on Tuesday, Tacoma City Council will hold its regular weekly study session at noon to discuss the City’s budget performance measures during the first quarter of this year, as well as its historic preservation program. Finally on Tuesday, Tacoma City Council will hold its regular weekly council meeting at 5 p.m. to vote on a range of issues.

On Wednesday, Tacoma City Council’s Government Performance and Finance Committee will meet at 4:30 p.m. to discuss a range of issues

Here is a look ahead at some notable meetings, events, and issues on deck next week at Tacoma City Hall.

HISTORIC PRESERVATION STUDY SESSION

On the eve of National Historic Preservation Month, Tacoma City Council will be briefed on the City’s historic preservation program during a study session Tuesday at City Hall. Staff will provide an overview of the program, its accomplishments over the past year, initiatives under way, and local events planned to mark Historic Preservation Month in May. The Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation recently announced it will honor Tacoma with an outstanding achievement in historic preservation award for its work to enact a law that aims to protect Tacoma’s historic buildings.

Also on the agenda Tuesday, staff from the City’s Management and Budget Office will provide updates on Tacoma’s budget and performance measures through the first quarter of this year, as well as the end of last year.

The study session will be held on Tues., April 29, at 12 p.m. at Tacoma City Hall, 733 Market St., Room 16, in downtown Tacoma. A copy of the agenda is available online here.

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MYSTERY HISTORIC PRESERVATION GRANT REQUEST

Speaking of historic preservation, the City of Tacoma has applied for a $4,500 grant to help pay for the decorative plaques issued to identify properties listed on Tacoma’s Register of Historic Places. The City began to provide these plaques 16 years ago, but recently halted the program due to budget issues. If a grant is awarded, funding will be matched for every dollar the City spends, up to the $4,500 limit. The Tacoma Daily Index reached out to Tacoma’s Historic Preservation Office this week and last week for more information regarding the application, such as which organization would award the grant; the number of plaques that could be produced as a result of the grant; and when the City is expected to learn if it has been awarded the grant. Staff did not respond to our requests.

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WRECKING CREW WANTED

The City of Tacoma is accepting bids to demolish two buildings in South Tacoma. The first building, a former restaurant, is located at 722 S. 38th St. The project budget is $30,000 to $50,000. The deadline expires at 11 a.m. on Thurs., May 8. More information is available online here. The second building, a former single-family home (pictured below), is located at 6506 Tacoma Ave. S. The project budget is $10,000 to $13,000. The bid deadline expires at 11 a.m. on Weds., May 7. More information is available online here.

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TACOMA WATER PROPERTY SALE

Looking ahead, Tacoma City Council is tentatively scheduled next month to vote on whether to sell a nearly-half-acre piece of Tacoma Public Utilities (TPU) property to the City of Buckley for $43,000. During a TPU Board meeting last month, City staff explained the property, which is located near the intersection of State Route 165 and Ryan Road, has belonged to Tacoma Water since the early-1900s. There are no current or future operational needs for the land. Tacoma City Council could vote on a resolution to authorize the sale during its meeting on Tues., May 6.