Last Minute Addition to the Tour of Urban Living

It wasn’t announced in time to hit the presses, but there’s a last minute addition to the Tour of Urban Living that is sure to be a Must See for tour-goers this weekend.


So while you’re browsing the Marcato, the Roberson, 505 Broadway, make sure you leave time to see Condos of the Arts (also known as COTA), created by first-time developer Tacoma School District.

For as much as they sound like opportunities for up-and-coming artists, the 44 units of the Condos of the Arts will not be priced for starving artists. The target buyers are in fact the parents of SOTA students, many of whom are so enraptured by what their children get to do in class all day that they want to experience it for themselves.

One parent told us, “Little Johnny gets course credit for making films and paint and put on funny masks and dance around … it’s nothing like the school I had to go to.”

Marketing to parents under the slogan “It’s Your Turn,” the Condos of the Arts will provide unfettered access to the art equipment and studio space at all SOTA Facilities. Co-Director John Ketler defended the decision, saying that the condo dues of the residents will help sustain educational programs that wouldn’t otherwise be available to students.

“Condo dues should go to more than just insurance and saving up for small repairs,” he said. “They should go toward oil paints and mini DV cameras … theater equipment and tap shoes, both for the kids and the parents.”

He continued, “Basically, we’ve been shooing away parents for so long that we’ve grown tired of it. If they want in to the classes so badly, fine: fork over $500,000 for a condo and we’ll let you in too.”

Some students seem worried about the prospect of their parents taking up art classes with them. “I mean, I’m trying to freaking rebel here. That’s why I took up dance in the first place, because I knew my parents would hate it! But now … what if my dad is in class with me? I might have to start taking business courses … that’ll show him.”

Disclaimer: We may occasionally stretch the truth or make things up on Fridays… but only when there’s a disclaimer. Everything else is absolutely true. Trust us.