Russell Moving to Seattle
We’ve received word from friends, and it’s also being reported by The News Tribune, that Russell Investments is leaving Tacoma for Seattle. The company notified its employees via email this morning. We expect to hear more soon … If you have the full email, we’d love to see it.
The conversation at Suite133 has shifted. It used to be what will Russell do? Now it has become what do we (as a City) want to be next? The hardest part about a Russell decision was the indecision. Now we know. Now we can plan.
Update – 12:45 pm
This statement was just received from Bruce Kendall, President and CEO of the Economic Development Board for Tacoma-Pierce County:
Of course we are disappointed in Russell’s decision to move. We continue to believe that the incentive and real estate packages the Tacoma Partnership developed for Russell provided the best choice for the firm as it worked to right-size itself and get back to profitability.
We are concerned for the Russell employees who have invested their lives and professions in this community and hope that many of them will choose to continue to do so going forward.
Russell became a world-class company while it was growing here in Tacoma, and we’re confident that our city will nurture more world-class firms in the future. That said, we believe that downtown Tacoma remains an outstanding place to do business and we look forward to welcoming a new company into the space that will be vacated.
This can actually create an opportunity for Tacoma by freeing up attractive office space downtown. And we have outstanding development sites available. We have had interest in Tacoma from other companies in the recent past and had to turn them away due to lack of premier office space. We expect interest from other firms going forward.
We have a downtown economic development strategy and will continue to implement it with vigor. The transformation of downtown Tacoma into a magnet for regional and corporate headquarters will continue, of course. It is the nature of business for companies to come and go, but in the end a city thrives because it remains a great place to do business – and Tacoma is just that.
Previously on Exit133: The Word on the Street About Russell
Filed under: General
52 comments
Z zak nelson September 9, 2009
Think of all the businesses that stay. Think of all the people committed to making Tacoma the great + vibrant place it is. Businesses constantly choose Tacoma for their meetings. Visitors always leave with a sense of discovery. Come see for yourself: Tacoma is a magnificent city.
A Altered Chords September 9, 2009
Darn, Now Frank murcowski will be wearing my exit 133 shirts.
S Squid September 9, 2009
Eric Anderson: Please call Mark Tabbutt (Saltchuck Chairman) immediately.
J Jeremy Gollehon September 9, 2009
Tacoma can finally stop catering to Russell and make itself a better place for ALL businesses.
S snoopy September 9, 2009
nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
E Erik B. September 9, 2009
Given the blighted condition of downtown Tacoma, it is hardly surprising that Russell wants to move out of downtown Tacoma.
The Luzon Building has been allowed to sit as a wreck at the entrance to the city, adjacent to the site Russell was to consider locating to, now causing a entire city street to be shut down.
Why would they want to move there?
Despite funds being allocated for it, the Spanish Staircase sits broken and as a hang out for drug dealers.
The Sauro site has been allowed to site for years with hazardous waste type barrels in in right on the main street of the city on Pacific Avenue.
The Winthrop Hotel continues to be a haven for drug activity and is on the brink of being burned down or just falling down.
R rich September 9, 2009
Let this be a lesson to the government of Tacoma. You can’t just stroll along for years without a vision and leadership to continuously move the city foward and not expect something like this not to happen. How many opportunities was Tacoma given through the years to develop into a city that companies like Russell would be proud to call their home, only to get caught up with the local government BS? When will Tacoma get their priorities correct? When will we get some REAL leadership in the local government that have REAL experience, not just community organizing BS……but people that actually have a vision and know how to achieve it through action because they actually have private sector experience in the required fields that benefit the city. Not just a bunch of hacks that talk alot but don’t really do anything…..I think the Luzon building says it all….it really tells the whole story of Tacoma……
6 6ther September 9, 2009
I have to agree with Rich.
I’m so sick of all the FBS this city sells to it’s own people. Where is the real progress in this city? What has the new convention center accomplished? What does the link rail system really do for us? What purpose does Tollefson square serve the people of this city? What’s the malfunction with the decisions regarding the Luzon? And the list can go on!!
I know I’m ranting and someone could tear up everything I’ve written, but I’m angry. I’m tired of the promise of progress, when actually we’re moving backward on a monthly basis.
And another rumor is that the Port of Tacoma (administrative) is going to take over the Russell building. So we’re going to move an existing Tacoma entity into a building that could otherwise suit outsider businesses, or be demised to suit many businesses.
That’s great.
B Bobbie September 9, 2009
Downtown Tacoma is dying a slow death and with the recent news of the Russell Investment Group relocating to Seattle we need to take immediate action. For those of us who remember Pacific Avenue it has not always been as we know it today, not so long ago it was a meeting place for prostitutes and drug addicts. It took a long time to clean it up, do we really want to go backwards.
With the University of Washington , SOTA , Stadium Highschool all being located in downtown and UPS and PLU not far off why hasn’t the city elected to make Tacoma a ‘college town’ – let’s bring in student friendly businesses. Offer local merchants incentives to come to Pacific Avenue. The students are here – we don’t have to lure them to our city. We just have to keep them here. They go into Seattle for their nightlife – let’s bring the nightlife here. Bring in student friendly restaurants, bookstores, coffee houses, nightclub, skate park…etc.
Retiring to a college town is the newest thing – A great college town for retirees has a vibe that mixes the arts and the outdoors with intellectual curiosity — and that transcends age. We have the chance to really make something of our town, but immediate action is required. Has anyone looked around – it is quickly becoming a ghost town. People are leaving not coming our only chance is the students.
What makes a great college town:
At the heart of most college towns are tons of small businesses and hang outs where students are welcomed and appreciated. These tend to lend to the feeling of tradition and camaraderie.
• Nightclub (18 and over) / Sports Bar
• Local Church(s)
• Healthcare / Hospital / Clinics
• The Arts / Music Scene / Theater / History
• Outdoors activities / Biking / Boating / Hiking
• Public Transportation
So much of what makes a great college town Tacoma can provide – T Town needs to step it up and fast!
T tressie September 9, 2009
so, um, am I still in the InternationalBusinessDistrict and can I get some Loading Zone signs now?
Erik B. @8…I’m up and down the Spanish Steps all the time…I found a local rock star kissing on his girlfriend last time down ‘em…the only drug passing between them was The Love Drug….
R rich September 9, 2009
International Business District…what a joke………thats what happens when the city sits on their *sses for years and years and years and suddenly REACTS to something….PEOPLE WAKE UP……having to REACT rather than controlling only leads to crap….thats where having a vision, and making stuff happens benefits……why put yourself in a position to where you have to react……..show some leadership and vision and control the situation before it gets to a “Russell” situation……..what crap….
P Proctor-ite September 9, 2009
I often feel like Tacoma is wonderful in spite of downtown. I sometimes get annoyed at all of the money poured into downtown, that nevers seems to actually change it. Spend the money where it would make a difference, like improving the neighborhood business districts (completing the sidewalks around the districts, many of which stop and start midblock or are missing all together), paving the unpaved roads, maintaining the parks and playfields better, and helping small to medium sized businesses be all that they can be.
When I moved to Tacoma, downtown felt like it was on the verge of something. Nine years later, good things have come and good things have gone, and it’s about the same. I’m tired of caring about downtown.
Maybe Bobbie @11 is right, and the future is the schools downtown – lord knows that UWT is slowly taking over the one vibrant section. I definitely think the future of downtown is not some large multi-national company deciding to call Tacoma home, so let’s give up the ghost and move on!
B broadweezy September 9, 2009
This ticks me off. severely. Can’t blame Russell, even though it doesn’t settle with me that they completely passed up on some decent incentives that Seattle would never offer. It’s easy to blame City Leadership, although not sure I can blame current city leadership, I think Anderson & Co. tried to do the best they could cleaning up after decades of impotent lack of vision.
Overall I predict the move to Seattle will be like watching a fated marriage. Great honeymoon now, Seattle’s looming & upcoming traffic/construction/Mercer Mess/Viaduct nightmares/expensive housing later.
S Steven September 9, 2009
Where were Norm Dicks and the Tacoma downtown economic development people on this? Certainly we could have done more, offered more, or worked harder to keep this vital business in Tacoma. If our local, state, and federal representatives worked better together, perhaps this would not have happened.
A Altered Chords September 9, 2009
I’ve been here 6 years and downtown is certainly better now than it was back then. I’ve heard that the Drake will soon become a multi level club. Neeners pub building is being rennovated. The old 21 Commerce site will soon become another club.
At least the drinkers will have more choices.
Oh, and the old monsoon room will actually have a brand and a sign and a new menu…someday. In the meantime, they have awesome drinks.
In the meantime, I’ll hire a trumpet section to walk around the Luzon blaring their trumpets ala Jericho.
N NSHDscott September 9, 2009
Steven @16, I don’t think the leaders could have done much more. What they offered was a huge package. I trace this back to Washington Mutual writing all sorts of stupid loans, getting shut down by the feds for pennies, and leaving a beautiful office tower empty and dirt-cheap. Too tempting for Russell to pass up. They get not only a more desirable address but a great building on sale, which I bet more than offset the incentives Tacoma offered. Figures that Tacoma would be the one to pay for the failures of Seattle’s WaMu.
Small win for Seattle, huge loss for Tacoma, for Tacoma’s restaurants and service providers, for most Russell employees and their families, and for the unaffiliated people of our region who will have to deal with increased I-5 congestion, car pollution, and need for expensive transit improvements (with less tax money to pay for them down here).
N NSHDscott September 9, 2009
Maybe I’m feeling vindictive, but … what companies could we poach from Seattle? I can reluctantly understand how Russell would feel more comfortable in Seattle. Who would feel more at home in Tacoma? How about shippers, maritime and port businesses, and manufacturers? Maybe we just need to embrace our blue-collar nature and work harder to attract them instead of building this IFSA district that now has no flagship institution (Columbia Bank’s great but no flagship).
T tacoma1 September 9, 2009
Yes, this sucks. Yes, we’ve let our infrastructure deteriorate more than it should have. No, we haven’t expanded our light rail system as fast or as far as we should have. And truth be told, we have an image problem – the epa says we have air quality issues, and people from out of town tend to think we have high gang and crime problems.
In the end, the reason why Russell is moving is, to quote James Carville here: “It’s the Economy Stupid”. Since WaMu left town, they can buy suitable empty real estate up north cheaper than building a suitable building in Tacoma.
This just makes it more urgent that we still refurbish our downtown, still build out our transportation system, stop polluting our air, fight crime and gangs, and work to attract more business downtown.
T Tacoma Taxpayer September 9, 2009
So the rumor is Port Of Tacoma wants to move their offices to the tower?
Wanna bet the City says “we need a new City Hall?” I bet King Eric is already crunching the numbers. There is a parking garage nearby across from True Blue/Labor Ready, employer of “Undocumented Workers”….They will take some of the $140 million they wanted use for Russell and add to the garage so City workers have a place to park!
I wonder what this move will mean to the company that wants to buy the old Elks building? Hmmm 900 less people downtown…is is feasible to buy and renovate the Elks? Hmmm, yes the City will give us zero interest loan, lets do it!
Well, now maybe the City will spread the 140 million in incentives to small businesses…. or… they can spend 140 million to FIX THE STREETS!
Of course, the City could hire a “consultant” to determine their next course of action…that seems to be the norm.
B boomer September 9, 2009
No surprises here. Tacoma never had a chance.
There is nothing Tacoma could have done to keep Russell from going to a top Metro city like Seattle. It was an incredible opportunity for them — can you really blame them?
Tim Farrell September 9, 2009
This is bad. However, with the bad comes good opportunity. We need to pick up and move on.
1) Build on incubating and expanding local businesses any way we can.
2) Look for an immediate renter to go into the Russell Building to keep it occupied.
If an outside business cannot be found, it might be time for Pierce County to consolidate its rented space all into one place to better facilitate a streamlined permitting model and allow smaller spaces we rent throughout Pierce County to go to businesses we incubate (see step 1).
Regardless, we need to pick ourselves off the floor immediately and get back into the ring.
I I'm for Change (for tacoma) September 9, 2009
Split the Russell buiding into a hotel, bookstore, coffeehouse, etc; something for tourists and locals. Then steal the cruise ships from Seattle.
S Squid September 9, 2009
Um, remember, somebody else (Ilahie)actually OWNS the Russell Building. They’ll have a little bit to say as to what happens to the building, how it will be rented, etc. Anybody talking to them yet?
S Spyder September 9, 2009
Tacoma FAIL!! Yeah the Drake is being remodeled into a nightclub. A GAY nightclub. That’s great. Shhh. WINTHROP SHOULD GET THE FULL $140 MILLION to put those people elsewhere and start at the heart of downtown to reinvent it. WE must move forward and continue prosperity for Tacoma. I feel sad for Tacoma, she’s aching.
D drizell September 9, 2009
No one has mentioned this yet, but there are loads of potential with the Russell decision to move north. No one would question that Seattle is a vibrant city brimming with young people and culture that Russell will undoubtedly use to recruit new employees. But what about all the experienced, older workers that still have roots in Tacoma? This may be the perfect opportunity for these individuals to begin their own firms. They’ll be able to avoid the big commute AND contribute to the continued growth of the city they love. At least that’s what I would do if I received an email from the CEO this morning.
M Morty September 9, 2009
The small local businesses that share my building rely on Russell; the psychologist, the family law firm, the accountant, even the barber on the corner said 60%of his walk-ins are Russell workers…everyone is talking about the impact. It will effect more than downtown, people will have less $ to spend in their own hoods. Downtown will bounce back, but it will be a long-hard bounce. Tacoma? Feels more like Ohio and GM just announced it is shutting down.
C Chris K. September 9, 2009
Now that Russell has made its decision, the question of what we do now is the most important.
I’d like to echo what others have said: We need to take the money we would have given Russell and invest it in Tacoma. We need to fix and expand our transportation infrastructure – repair roads and sidewalks and expand light rail out of Downtown to take advantage of the economic energy that’s in our neighborhoods.
Next, we need Tacomans to support their local businesses and more Tacomans need to go out and start new businesses that provide value to nearby residents and add value to neighboring businesses. Recall that cities work because proximity and density of firms lower the costs of doing business and open up more opportunities. For that to happen, I don’t know if it’s the greatest idea to just bail out the Russell building – the price of commercial real estate needs to fall to a level such that a couple of middle class workers can reasonably form a startup.
J Jesse September 10, 2009
Merritt will win the Mayoral election by a landslide. That’s my prediction. Can I have my Exit 133 shirt NOW as opposed to later for my correct prediction?
T tacoma1 September 10, 2009
The mayor’s race is being discussed on a different thread. Maybe you could explain your logic, or at least your thought process, if no logic exists on the proper thread?
J Jenyum September 10, 2009
So many vacancies downtown, and now a big, tall missing tooth. But I have to wonder, what are landlords asking for these empty spaces? We’ve called many many commercial real estate people in town over the years and the vast majority will completely ignore you and not return calls unless they know you are from a large/chain company.
So there the prime real estate sits, vacant. And it’s really in all probability just going to stay that way. Small/locally owned businesses have to look elsewhere, except for the occasional “cursed” spot like El Gringo de Loco/Sylvia’s.
It seems to me something could actually be done to encourage landlords to rent to locally owned businesses and encourage business owners to locate downtown. Consider the offer the city was able to make to Russell, if we were able to distribute that largess in a way that actually proactively encouraged the growth of new businesses downtown, how many start ups might just consider it?
What can we do to get UW to move some administrative offices here? Why is SAMI going to be stuck out in portables out by Point Defiance if we’ve got all this available space in the heart of the city?
J Jesse September 10, 2009
@31: Losing Russell will cost Strickland the mayors race because she is already on the city council – the one that lost Russell. Don’t the first correct predictions on huge subjects get you an awesome Exit 133 t-shirt?
Anywho… I didn’t mean to trivialize the subject… I’ll make a more appropriate comment later when there’s more time.
J JJ September 10, 2009
This isn’t the city council’s fault. This is about a great real estate deal for Northwestern Mutual Life that Tacoma can’t touch – not even about Russell as a company really.
It will hurt Tacoma and the surrounding communities.
R rich September 10, 2009
being on the council has nothing to do with the fact strickland will loose….can we say ZERO experience in anything that would actually help tacoma develop…..what we need is REAL LEADERSHIP and someone who has ACTUAL business experience and can make some tough decisions for the city against the old way of thinking………hmm, and that’s no strickland….heck, I have more experience than she does… of course not too difficult to do….
C Cleophus September 10, 2009
The city may not be able to fill the jobs void right away, but as an indication that they actually are aware of how much this departure harms the city and the other businesses downtown they need to show immediate progress and problem solving on some of the clear signs of decay and blight downtown – the long closed Murray Morgan Bridge and the indefinitely closed 13th Street. If they cannot make something happen to fix these obviously derelict eyesores in the center of the City then I have no faith in any aspect of their economic development strategy.
I think that many factors came into Russell’s decision, but if I were making the decision for Russell, the track record of actually following through at City Hall would be a huge concern. How many years have Russell employees been staring at a bridge that is indefinitely closed due to lack of maintenance. 2 years now? If they cannot solve obvious problems like that why should people have faith in their ability to create an International FInancial District? If they could not get something like the Winthrop Hotel proposals worked out during the biggest financial bubble in the past 100 years, then why would someone expect them to create the momentum necessary to lure new financial companies to town in a severe recession? The city has always had interesting ideas, but the reality never seems to come close to matching the vision. The City has had opportunities to win, but so often something seems to come along and we get a fumble. The Convention Ctr/Marriott/Tollefson for example, the potential was there, the money was there, but the resulting combination represents a huge missed opportunity. Now we have a Convention Center, not visible from the primary street in downtown, a large concrete plaza that seems to only interface with an intersection, and several vacant restaurant spaces next to the Convention Center. The examples could go on and on, but if someone at Russell (or any company with a choice of location) is considering this track record – why would they want to hitch their wagon to this? Tacoma is a great city, but when you are asking a company to commit for the next 10-15 years, the track record in Tacoma looks really, really bad.
B boomer September 10, 2009
I wonder how many of the 900 employees of Russell who live in the Tacoma area are going to be listing their homes for-sale soon? That commute to Seattle is brutal. I feel sorry for all those individuals and their families :(
M Mofo from the Hood September 10, 2009
Right. Russell Investments is leaving Tacoma.
People do what they want to do.
(Insert downtown photos here from 1979 collection “Tacoma Then & Now.”)
C crenshaw sepulveda September 10, 2009
Well there should be a booming business for my Ruck Fussell t-shirts.
C crenshaw sepulveda September 10, 2009
I hear a lot of people are saying there is a silver lining in this. Some people are saying this is a good thing and that Tacoma will rebound stronger than ever before. I am not one of these people. I hope the McMenimins people have signed that contract to spruce up the Elks. They have signed a contract, haven’t they?
C Cleophus September 10, 2009
I don’t think there is a silver lining at all. 900 high salary jobs are tough to replace, particularly in Tacoma. I hear lots of people talking as though another Russell will just sprout organically. It may, but how long are people going to wait. Getting from 1 or 2 people to a large corporation does not typically happen in 2-3 years, more like 20+ years.
B broadweezy September 10, 2009
There seems to be a suggestive theme or idea in most of these posts that just filling the Russell ‘hole’ with tons of small/local businesses in downtown would magically cover the gap in business activity and thereby bring back a vibrancy to downtown.
This is such a fatal perception. Whether you love to hate, or hate to love Corporate America, vibrant cities are those that provide a healthy mix or balance of both local/small businesses and the bigger competative (corporate businsesses). Tacoma could not economically sustain a future based on one or the other, it needs both. I’m just gonna go out on a limb and say it: if Tacoma can’t attract another business similar to the economic scale of Russell over the next 5-7 years, I could see Tacoma joining the ranks on the list of shrinking-rustbelt cities.
6 6ther September 10, 2009
I want to call on everyone that has either read or responded to this thread.
What can you do personally to help Tacoma right now?
Think about it. Then do it!
M Mofo from the Hood September 10, 2009
My fellow Tacoman’s, let’s not waste a crisis.
Let’s rally the few, the proud, the office worker sympathizers.
We need resources now!
We need employer’s now!
Let’s gather together, march forward shoulder to shoulder and invade Fife now!
J Jesse September 10, 2009
Ok, this is what happens when you have a city that is chasing it’s neighbors. Tacoma is not progressive. It’s not a leader in the region in policy. It follows Portland and Seattle’s policies, only, Tacoma waits 30 years to start instigating them instead of finding better, more progressive policy, and being the leader.
Look at the parking requirement as an example. The city is still fussing with it when it’s been eliminated elsewhere with resounding results. Look at the transit situation. I heard that Tacoma gets back a fraction of what they put into Sound Transits coffers and our representatives don’t throw an utter fit as they should be doing. There are so many fascinating problems with this city where the solution is so easy.
Why hasn’t Tacoma borrowed the laws from municipalities that work. The City Council meetings, the ones on TV Tacoma, are nearly pointless. There should be BIG changes in this city on a constant basis as there are some big problems. Some huge steps need to be made here.
This city looks run-down. What is up with the roads? Rookies in office haven’t figured out you can’y overlay asphalt over concrete as a permanent solution. News flash: Concrete expands and contracts at a seperate rate than asphalt making it seperate easily and coase problems. They also transmit water differently causing another set of problems. If you want asphalt roads, you need to dig up the concrete first and lay a new road. Note the nect time you’re on a pothole laden road, that it’s probably asphalt over concrete.
Another thing: Where is the shopping downtown? GIVE park place north to a DT mall developer to build a mall over Commerce and onto theatre square… or better yey, sell the convention center and make a new one by the T-dome and make the old convention center into a mall. There’s places for big box stores on three surrounding blocks and Broadway, with it’s shops, runs smack-dab into the side door.
Easy stuff right? How about solving the hill climb with a cable-car up 13th and down 11th or whatever. I bet a levy would pass for that if it were on the ballot especially if it were coupled with a downtown mall right next to it. It’d tie the entire DT together with the Foss and MLK and create huge growth in those areas.
How about a LID team? Is there one now? I find it pathetic that city council is attempting to rest on thier laurels there. Will it be 10 years before the next LID is organized?
Is Haub building thier huge office building even if Russell leaves? When the city had three companies come to them for space and they turned them away, why? Did they not want to put in the effort they did with the Russell package? Were they pathetically happy with all thier eggs in Russells basket?
Boy, I should stop. I am just so disappointed in this decision. Tacoma needs MORE diversity ion jobs downtown… not less. Where are they going to get the money to do things now for downtown since Russell isn’t filling up the coffers? I’ll stop now… I could write a book.
C crenshaw sepulveda September 11, 2009
EWwww, broadweezy made me think about Russell’s “hole”.
R RR Anderson September 11, 2009
2009 Bon Voyage Russell party FRIDAY @ FROST PARK CHALK CHALLENGE NO. 24
Share your International Financial Services memories on Tacoma itself in glorious CHALK.
++++++++
I knew 2009 was going to be bad for Tacoma since the boy was killed by a monster truck at the Tacoma dome.
Bad Omen.
D dni September 11, 2009
No signed contract on McMinimums yet…due to close in October. Lets keep our fingers crossed. I wouldn’t mind a nice college town atmosphere with plenty of out of towners vacationing with their college bound kids. They enjoy the “experience” of a new town and local atmosphere. We have that going for us, with museums…..nice sleepy town, better than drug infested, prostitution riddled like it used to be. Looks downright almost pretty down here compared to just a few years ago. Scary times, but still its better than its been in a lot of years guys.
D David Koch September 11, 2009
@35: Seems to me you’re just interpreting her experience as a lack of it simply because you’ve already decided either you don’t like her or you like Merritt. Being able to accomplish business projects alone certainly doesn’t automatically make you the ideal full time council member. I will agree that Merritt should have an edge if he plays his cards right or if Strickland doesn’t play hers right (and I don’t think he’ll play his cards as well as he might otherwise due to what I see as his lack of broader understanding of what the mayor’s (and the city’s) role is vs what a business-owner’s role is).
@43: As soon as I finish remodeling my bathroom in a couple weeks and get two more roommates in my house, I can FINALLY stop driving to Everett every day and be able to afford the pay cut involved with getting a job here in Tacoma! Then I’ll have more free time to invest in Tacoma!
@45: Right on Jesse! So when does everyone meet to prioritize goals, develop projects, build needed city-wide coalitions and force the city council to vote on these things? If you guys already get together call me. If you don’t get together then call me. I’m free this Sunday. 215-435-5578
C crenshaw sepulveda September 11, 2009
I like the following comment from the slog:
@1: Like cupcakes! Seattle really needs more cupcakes.Does Tacoma have any cupcake shops we can steal?
T tressie September 11, 2009
32 | Posted by Jenyum ….um, yeah, us micro-businesses would sure like the City to step-up for us! I think 90% of my blog posts over the last yr. have been about downtown problems/solutions…!
I am a 1 or 2 person company(depending on the day)…I have to decide to leave Tacoma or stay and wait…and wait…as far as McMen’s signing that contract…if they feel sorry for us..they will…never forget..They are a big corporation…don’t let the 4:20 and patchouli fool ya….
A Altered Chords September 11, 2009
The “micro” business owner will surely appreciate the fact that when the city gives tax breaks to a 900 emplyee company that IS looking out for the micro business who sells their stuff to PEOPLE.
Don’t believe that? Measure the impact on your business of a 900 employee business leaving the area.
Here’s the ray of sunshine. They’ll be here for 1 more year. Plenty of time for the commercial realtors to line up tenants for the building. Right?
Probably emplyees who want 2nd hand clothing and antiques. (unlike Russell employees)
T Tacoma (A)roma September 11, 2009
I’m glad the Ruck Fussell thing is catching on.
J Jesse September 13, 2009
@49: No, I don’t think “we” meet anywhere. In fact I have never met anyone on here. I’ve checked out Tressie’s store and I’ve been to the chalk-off once but really everyone seemed so busy, I showed in a suit because of work, and I’m not an artist soooo… I didn’t say much… Maybe there needs to be another Exit 133 party soon with an intention of having volunteer committee opportunities ready for those attendees. I’d love to work to make Tacoma better, meet others interested in similar subjects, and share contact information.