Surge Tacoma selected to enter negotiations with the City of Tacoma to revitalize Old City Hall

The City of Tacoma has selected Surge Tacoma to move forward with negotiations to re-develop Old City Hall.

The City received five responses to its most recent Request for Proposal for the historic building located at 625 S. Commerce St. in Downtown Tacoma.

“Surge Tacoma submitted a compelling proposal to reactivate the historic Old City Hall by infusing the building with uses that will appeal to our entire community — residents, entrepreneurs and visitors,” said Mayor Victoria Woodards. “The redevelopment proposal aligns with the building’s storied history as a welcoming public place. It has the potential to be an economic catalyst while providing affordable housing that helps ensure those who work in Tacoma can continue to live here as well.”

  The Tacoma Dome, or the cable bridge might be the most visible features of Tacoma from the freeway, but this is the building that truly defines and dominates Tacoma's architectural, cultural and historic landscape.           The financial and design challenges are nearly infinite, this is one investment that, decades, if not generations from now, will be appreciated like no other. Photo: Morf Morford
The Tacoma Dome, or the cable bridge might be the most visible features of Tacoma from the freeway, but this is the building that truly defines and dominates Tacoma’s architectural, cultural and historic landscape.
The financial and design challenges are nearly infinite, this is one investment that, decades, if not generations from now, will be appreciated like no other. Photo: Morf Morford

The City and Surge Tacoma will now begin negotiating a development agreement and a purchase and sales agreement. The City’s Community and Economic Development Department anticipates agreements could be reached as early as January 2019.

In the proposal, Surge Tacoma, proposed a mixed-use project with a restaurant in the basement and bar on Pacific Avenue, nearly 20,000 square feet of retail space on the first and second floors, more than 20,000 square feet of office and co-working space for a technology center on the third and fourth floors, 40 micro apartments on the fifth floor (10-20 market rate and 20-30 affordable units), two rooftop restaurants and event space in the clock tower. The development team consists of Harlow & Falk LLP, NBS Financial, Pacific Engineering, Easyway Contractors, CBRE and Artifacts Consulting, Inc.

– City of Tacoma