Advice for Tacoma from the Creative Class
Dan Voelpel’s article today features an open discussion with eight South Sound residents about Tacoma’s future. It’s broken down into three main categories: Talent, Technology and Tolerance. The points it makes are perfect. Tacoma needs to attract more creative talent and champion its successes. Tacoma needs to attract businesses that push technological advancements. Tacoma needs to embrace its diversity and create an environment of open dialogue.
If we look at the recommendations and line them up with what Tacoma is doing today, are we on the right track? What ever happened to the affordable artists lofts in downtown we talked about a few years ago?
Link: What’s it take to turn a gritty town into a pearl? – The News Tribune
3 comments
K Ken November 14, 2012
Investors, regardless of nationality, primarily base their decisions on where they can make a profit (and/or in this case whether they can move up the immigration line).
The article says they also expect to build on their Tacoma property, and that the primary reason for building first in Des Moines was proximity to SeaTac for Chinese visitors.
While relationships are obviously a factor, let’s not get too excited about taxpayer-funded trips to 12 sister cities.
T tom waits November 14, 2012
“It will be nestled in the City of Des Moines, a quaint, water-side city…”
I’ve never thought of Des Moines in that way. They make it sound like Port Townsend or Coupeville.
J Jesse November 14, 2012
Does Des Moines have a B&O tax?