Tacoma City Business Preview - Week of February 10, 2015

Recreational Marijuana Regulations

At this week's study session the Tacoma City Council will hear a summary of public and stakeholder input on proposed permanent land use regulations for recreational marijuana production, processing, and retail uses from Planning and Development Services staff. The council will discuss recommendations as they prepare to adopt a final proposal, which will be included in an ordinance scheduled for a first reading at this week's regular council meeting.

Warhol Flower for the Tacoma Dome

Supporters of the idea of decking the Tacoma Dome out in an enormous Andy Warhol-designed flower could see their dream come one step closer to reality this week.

The council is scheduled to consider a resolution on this week's regular council meeting agenda that would express City support for the idea of the installation. City support would mean that the group advocating for the flower design will be able to move forward witha request to the Warhol Foundation for the rights to use the design, which Warhol originally submitted to Tacoma way back in the 1980s.

This week's resolution makes it clear that the council would not be committing any City resources to the project, expressing support for the concept of the flower "to be accomplished by a 100 percent private fundraising campaign to cover the total cost of installation, maintenance, cleaning, removal, and fundraising-related expenses.

Latest estimates put the project price tag at a hefty $5.1 million (up considerably from the $3 million we last heard).

Theater District

Another artsy conversation has been going on around promoting Tacoma's Theater District. A resolution on this week's agenda would direct the City Manager and staff to incorporate the "Theater District" label and brand into future community and economic development efforts as described in the North Downtown Subarea Plan of the Comprehensive Plan. 

The North Downtown Sub-area Plan calls for the use of the “Theater District” branding as a way of defining and marketing the area of downtown Tacoma around South 9th and Broadway, where the Pantages and Rialto theaters are located. Other nearby theatrical destinations include Theatre on the Square, the Tacoma Youth Theater, the Grand Cinema, Pythian Temple, Urban Grace Church, Temple Theater, and Tacoma Historical Society Museum. Many Tacoma performing arts organizations call the area home, and perform there regularly. 

The designation of the Theater District, and its branding is meant to help Tacoma market the area's attractions - both theatrical and otherwise - as a destination for both residents and visitors.

Citizens' Forum

It's that time again - time for citizens of Tacoma to get up and tell their city council what they think about any issue over which the council has jurisdiction. It's your 3 minutes...

Other Items

It's a bike-themed week as the Year of the Bike gets underway here in Tacoma. At this week's council meeting 2015 will be proclaimed as the Year of the Bike in the City of Tacoma and the Tacoma Wheelmen's Bicycle Club will presentat the 2014 Paths to Mount Tacoma. Outside council chambers you can get in on the action with a free screening of the bicycle documentary AfterMass at the Grand Cinema this Thursday, where Downtown on the Go and others will be celebrating the official kick-off of the Year of the Bike. Find bike-related events at bike253.com, and follow and use #YearOfTheBike and #Bike253 on Twitter to join in on the action.

Also on this week's agenda, a pair of resolutions and an ordinance up for a first reading would authorize and implement collective bargaining agreements with groups of City employees represented by IBEW.