Tacoma celebrated the start of construction for the Pacific Avenue Streetscape Project with a Groundbreaking event at Fireman’s Park on November 5. Congressman Norm Dicks, Tacoma Mayor Marilyn Strickland, Tacoma Council Member Jake Fey, and other community leaders came together to kick-off the project that will enhance the “Main Street” of downtown Tacoma while innovatively managing stormwater.
The Pacific Avenue Streetscape Project includes 10 blocks of Pacific Avenue from S. 7th to S. 17th Street. It will include new curb, gutter and sidewalks, including bicycle sharrows, on street parking, landscaped curb bulb outs, street trees, new street furnishings, lighting, public art, new transit stops, and signs to direct visitors. Limited construction will start this November prior to the holiday shutdown from Thanksgiving to January 2 and be complete by Thanksgiving 2013.
The project will be broken into 3 month phases, working on a few blocks at a time. The first phase will be S. 9th to S. 13th Streets, and will include new sidewalks, landscaping, rain gardens, catenary lighting, and a cobblestone intersection. Throughout the project, there will be “Green Flash” events and art that will celebrate Pacific Avenue during construction.
For more information, visit the project website.