Phased Development For Point Ruston
The Tribune has an article today at Point Ruston, the huge development slated for the old Asarco site. After covering some of the developer’s recent projects in Tacoma, Hawthorn Hills and Allenmore East, there’s this:
Under Cohen’s plan, the custom homes and a few dozen condos come first. More condos will be built as demand allows. Sometime in 2009, construction begins on the 150-room Silver Cloud Hotel and adjacent retail and office structures. Along with the construction will come public amenities such as the esplanade linking Ruston Way with Point Defiance, water features designed by Cohen’s old friend, Bob Gilbert, who he coaxed out of retirement in Mexico to spend about a week a month in Tacoma as the project’s “artist in residence” designing amenities for the public spaces and recommending materials, fixtures and art for the buildings.
They expect the project will eventually cost $1 billion, but will be built in phases over the next 8 to ten years.
We like the pedestrian link between the park and Ruston Way. What are your thoughts?
Link to The News Tribune
Previously on Exit133
Filed under: Waterfront, Developments, Ruston Way, Point Ruston, Asarco
3 comments
R Republican (By Default) February 3, 2008
The hotel is a great idea and is obviously based on the relative success of the existing Silver Cloud Inn a couple of miles from the new site.
Good luck with the retail space. The only remaining retail space after the closing of Johnny’s is that seasonal food stand next to the dock in Marine Park.
Sidewalks, by themselves, don’t seem to generate a lot of retail foot traffic (pardon the pun) in that area. The closest things to successful retail in that area are coffee shops and restaurants in Old Town (about a block from the old Johnny’s) and that little soda fountain/grocery in Ruston. The successful businesses down there don’t rely on foot traffic, but draw their own customers who will likely drive there.
The area isn’t conducive to retail at this point, partly because of limited space and high land values (lease costs) and partly because of the seasonal nature of outdoor areas north of the latitude 47. It’s funny that no one has tried to capitalize on the driving traffic in that area. Perfect place for a strip mall (just kidding).
The only solution that I can see for that area (I live just a mile away) is to get the right businesses that have some synergy (working together to draw crowds). Proctor seems to have done that with some success, although I’m sure a lot of it has to do with the fact that there are two grocery stores that attract drivers, who benefit from the convenience of the other retailers nearby. Point Ruston might be able to capitalize on the park and views which are far better than anything downtown.
Then there’s the marina next door. From a distance it seems to need a few improvements. Maybe having the hotel close by will make those happen.
A Andrew February 3, 2008
I think a walking LINK connecting Ruston to Pt. Defiance would be a huge benefit for our trail network and also biking in Tacoma.
I wrote about the importance of this bike link a few weeks ago.
Link:
http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/bus/2008/01/01/changes_to_pt_defiance_an_oppertunity_fo
N NSHDscott February 4, 2008
Wow, a billion dollar development. I didn’t realize that much money was going into it. That’s an amazing investment into Tacoma. Wonder if this project might end up helping us keep Russell in town: High-end waterfront community, and easy walking/biking/boating access to downtown.