The Washington State Community Economic Revitalization Board announced Tuesday it has awarded a $50,000 grant to the City of Tacoma to complete a sub-area planning Environmental Impact Statement for Tacoma’s “North Downtown” neighborhood, which includes the commercial core, Thea Foss Waterway, St. Helens District, and Stadium District.

According to City staff, the study aims to develop an innovative area-wide long-range plan for the north end of downtown Tacoma, fast-track revitalization through up-front environmental review, plan and design capital facilities, and plan for infrastructure and neighborhood amenities to support increased density. It also hopes to attract new private sector investment and job growth to the area. A City project team is slated to work closely with property owners, businesses, residents and community members to complete the plan by the end of next year.

Similar studies are under way in Tacoma’s South Downtown and MLK neighborhoods.

Last month, Tacoma City Council unanimously approved a resolution directing City staff to submit the grant application. Representatives from the Economic Development Board for Tacoma-Pierce County, Foss Waterway Development Authority, Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department, Pierce Transit, Tacoma Pierce County Chamber, and the University of Washington Tacoma submitted letters supporting the grant application.

More information about the project is online at cityoftacoma.org/Page.aspx?hid=18217.