Tag Archives: Tacoma

Sound Transit proposes faster schedule for ST3

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In response to public comments about building transit faster, Sound Transit today proposed to build the ST3 projects sooner — between 2-5 years faster, depending on the project. ST3 is the proposed 25-year regional transit plan that would increase light rail, commuter rail and bus service in King, Pierce and Snohomish Counties.

The Sound Transit Board will vote on the transit projects and timelines on June 2 and plans to adopt the plan at its June 23 meeting in order to place ST3 on the November ballot. Here is a list of the proposed ST3 projects and new timelines.

Sound Transit received over 34,000 survey responses on ST3.

Here is a presentation summarizing the public comments received on the draft ST3 plan.

Picture of Capitol Hill light rail station

Located in the heart of the neighborhood, the Capitol Hill light rail station offers good connections to other travel options.

For more information:

Provide input on Sound Transit’s draft regional transit plan (ST3)

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Photo of people riding light rail

Riding light rail to the new UW Station

To expand the regional transit system, Sound Transit proposes to build over 20 light rail, commuter rail and bus projects during the next 25 years. Outlined in a draft plan called ST3, the transit projects would serve Snohomish, King and Pierce counties. ST3 would cost approximately $50 billion and be funded with new and existing transit taxes. See Sound Transit’s March 25, 2016 press release on the ST3 annoucement.

The public is invited to review and comment on the draft ST 3 plan now until April 29. Here’s how you can get involved:

  • View the draft plan and proposed projects, including an interactive map
  • Attend a public meeting to ask questions and give comments. Sound Transit will hold a series of 6 public meetings around the region from April 19 – 28.
  • Take an online survey
  • Submit comments in writing by email at soundtransit3@soundtransit.org or to Sound Transit 3, 401 S. Jackson St., Seattle, WA 98104

Based on community input, Sound Transit will finalize the ST3 plan and place a transit tax on the November 2016 ballot. If passed, the average household would pay approximately $200 more per year in taxes to pay for the transit improvements.

For more information:

Improve Tacoma and Pierce County with a Spark Grant

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Neighborhood leaders and grassroots organizations can obtain up to $1500 to improve Tacoma and Pierce County with a Spark Grant. Grant applications are due by March 18.

The Greater Tacoma Community Foundation awards these grants to “support everyday people who want to spark positive change.” South Sound Together sponsors this round of grants. Here is a look at the nine current Spark Grant projects.

Participate in environmental review of proposed methanol plant

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Photo of Draft Scoping Report

The Draft Scoping Report identifies areas that the EIS will examine. It will be updated after the comment period closes.

Whether you are for, against or undecided on the proposed methanol plant for the Tacoma tideflats, please participate in the City of Tacoma’s environmental review process. The next public scoping meeting is Feb. 24, and comments are due by March 4.

Proposed by Northwest Innovation Works on property owned by the Port of Tacoma, the methanol facility would be the largest in the world. The City of Tacoma is conducting the environmental review. As a City planner said at the Feb. 10 public scoping meeting, more people are engaged in this project than almost any other Tacoma project in the last 20 years.

What would you like to know about it — jobs, climate change, water use or other topics? Now is the time to ask. You can speak or provide written comments at the public meetings, or email or mail written comments. Learn more about how to comment on the City’s webpage.

The Port of Tacoma, which signed a lease for this project with Northwest Innovation Works in 2014, will hold a study session on the project at its Feb. 18 meeting. Public comment is included on the meeting agenda.

Feb. 24 public scoping meeting

Greater Tacoma Convention and Trade Center ballroom

1500 Broadway

Doors open at 5:00 p.m. to sign up to speak. The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m.

For more information

** Engage Northwest does not work on this project and currently does not represent any of the parties listed in this blog.**

 

Engage with Chinese delegation in Tacoma

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Before meeting President Obama, the President of China will visit Washington, including a stop in Tacoma on September 23. As the News Tribune reports, President Xi Jinping will visit Tacoma’s Lincoln High School. His visit is an honor, and it emphasizes the importance of Tacoma in the U.S.-China relationship.

“Tacoma is an international port city,” as Mayor Marilyn Strickland says in a press release. The city has established economic, cultural, and educational ties with China, and President Xi previously visited Tacoma when he worked for Fuzhou nearly 21 years ago. He helped establish the Tacoma-Fuzhou Sister City relationship.

Photo of kids with Princess

The Moon Princess poses at the Fuzhou Ting during Chinese Moon Festival 2014

Thanks to the people of Fuzhou, Tacoma’s waterfront features a beautiful Fuzhou Ting in the Tacoma Chinese Reconciliation Park.

The community will have several opportunities to engage with the Chinese delegation during their visit. As indicated in the World Affairs Council Tacoma’s recent newsletter, the World Trade Center Tacoma and World Affairs Council Tacoma will host several events for the Chinese delegation and Tacoma community:

  • Reconciliation Park Celebration, Sept. 21, 9:30 a.m. at Chinese Reconciliation Park. Please arrive by 9 a.m. Free!
  • Fuzhou-Tacoma Sister Cities photo exhibit, opening ceremony, Sept. 22, 10 a.m. at Old Post Office, 1102 A Street. Free!
  • PNW-China Trade & Investment Summit Wine Social, Sept, 22, 6 – 8 p.m. at Old Post Office, 1102 A Street. Free!
  • PNW-China Trade & Investment Summit Luncheon, Sept. 23, Noon to 1:30 p.m. at Hotel Murano, 1320 Broadway Ave. $40.
  • World Affairs Council: Consular Association Reception, Sept. 24, 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. at Annie Wright Schools, 827 N. Tacoma Ave. $40 for members; $50 for nonmembers.

How excited is Tacoma about this historic visit? Check out this KING 5 video and KUOW radio broadcast about how Lincoln High School is preparing! Teacher Nate Bowling tweets:

Engage Northwest will be at many of these events — hope to see you there, too! Let’s give the Chinese delegation a warm welcome and show our appreciation for this wonderful, international relationship!

Photo of Lincoln HS

Lincoln HS gets ready for President Xi’s visit

For more information: