Point Ruston Multiplex?
Tacoma may be getting a first-run movie theater within its city limits. At least that’s the latest in the Point Ruston development plans. Developers of the project announced yesterday that they plan to include a multiplex cinema as a major anchor of the mixed-use “lifestyle center” planned for the waterfront community. According to the press release, plans for the “Waterwalk at Point Ruston” include an organic grocer, a 175 room Silver Cloud hotel, retail space, restaurants, cafes, and a wine bar, as well as the nine screen multiplex getting all the attention this week.
The Point Ruston development is planned to come together in phases. Work started again earlier this year on a residential component of the project, which is scheduled to be ready for occupancy this summer. The developers expect to complete the mixed-use Waterwalk by the end of 2012. All of this glorious, upscale, mixed-use, economically-stimulating development will be accessible via the new and improved Ruston Way, scheduled to reopen in less than two months, with a grand opening date of April 21, marked by the first ever Ruston Way 5k
Wow, what plans. We wish the best for the developers – it will be good to see that slag heap pile of dirt pile of mud prime piece of waterfront property turned into a productive space. But since the multiplex seems to be the big news item of the day, we’re wondering what you think about that. Are you excited to not have to go to Lakewood or Federal Way to see first-run movies? Or are you wondering about the wisdom of locating a movie theater on that piece of prime waterfront property?
Filed under: Waterfront, Developments, Ruston Way, Point Ruston
11 comments
F fredo March 1, 2012
City council could encourage this development by reducing/eliminating the city admissions tax. The cinema and adjoining restaurants will provide quite a bit of employment for N. end residents. They won’t be family wage jobs but there are few employers in that part of town so I don’t think anyone will complain.
C Christine March 1, 2012
Very odd place for a giant multiplex theater. It may be in the “planning” right now, but I see they are also planning what kinds of shops will go in. I think they’re dreaming what kind of shops will go in and the multiplex is going to require many acres of parking.
Which brings up the term “lifestyle center”. Who’s lifestyle? What type of life?
R redB March 1, 2012
The possibility of improving the neighborhood is very exciting and bringing new businesses to Tacoma and expanding the stretch of Ruston Way is even more exciting! Can’t wait!!
T tacoma1 March 1, 2012
It seems like an odd place for a multiplex to me too. The three closest neighbors are point defiance, commencement bay, and Ruston way. No movie buffs to be found in any of those places.
J js March 2, 2012
Anyone looking at how to manage traffic increases along Ruston Way from building a shopping center at the end of the road? I won’t be trying to see any summer evening movies, given that Ruston Way is a parking lot if/when it gets sunny.
Putting a shopping center at the “end of the road” seems counter to the idea that commercial property should have easy access and draw from as large a populous as possible. Seeing what River Park Square did for downtown Spokane, I wonder why Pt. Ruston is being considered before downtown has a proper “lifestyle” center. Spreading Tacoma thin, rather than creating a cohesive core.
J Jim C March 2, 2012
I wonder why the artists rendering has the multiplex right on the shore; you’d think the developers would want to maximize the “view value” of their residential sales. Then again, constructing a building whose single function requires a complete lack of windows/view of the outdoors seems a little ludicrous on that site. To put it kindly.
J Jesse March 3, 2012
Quick! Offer a multiplex developer Park Place North and air rights over Commerce street! Hurry!!!
R RR Anderson March 5, 2012
the important thing is to get something build there. If the movie theater doesn’t work out, i’m sure it won’t be a problem to convert it to a mega-church.
K Karen L. Jensen March 5, 2012
Oh, goody. A mega-church? Great! Another non tax paying monster that breaks the aging infrastructure of Tacoma. Good call! Why don’t we get the Treets to expand??
The whole Ruston development will be studied for years not because of any “brilliant” development but because of the mysterious cancer concentration that suddenly appears.
R RR Anderson March 6, 2012
perhaps the city of ruston can lure the Treats here with free parking garages. Start poaching those mega-churches from Federal Way !
T talus March 6, 2012
I think it sounds like a great place for retired folks who have already taken in their toxic loads to spend the rest of their days with a great view.
I’m mostly serious about that. Out of caution, I wouldn’t live there if I had kids, but I don’t think there’s any real evidence that living on top of a thick layer of clean imported soil will cause problems — it’s probably a lot safer than living on the property of the folks in Ruston who are so loyal to Asarco that they think replacing the soil in their yards is a communist plot.