Tacoma City Business Preview - Week of July 9, 2013

Bottled Water

The Tacoma City Council study session agenda this week includes briefings on two proposed agreements. The first involves Tacoma Water supplying Niagara Bottling LLC with water for bottling. This item was tentatively scheduled for the July 9 Council meeting, but it has been recommended that the Council receive a briefing this week, before considering the resolution on next week’s City Council meeting agenda.

The Henry

The Council will also hear a briefing on proposed agreements that would facilitate the development of The Henry, a proposed new mixed-use/apartment building at 1933 Dock Street (a.k.a. Site 1) on the Foss Waterway. 

A pair of resolutions appearing on this week’s City Council meeting agenda would authorize those agreements. 

The first would authorize approval of the scope and nature of the proposed development agreement between the Foss Waterway Development Authority and the Henry Foss Group, and approve the Hazardous Substance Indemnification agreement for that project.

The second would authorize an eight-year Multi-Family Housing Property Tax Exemption agreement with the FWDA and the Henry Foss Group for that same property, for the construction of a 161- (or 167-, depending on which document you read) unit, multi-family, market-rate rental development.

The Henry Foss proposal was the only response to a FWDA request for proposals. It was reviewed, and met selection criteria. 

The sale price of the property is $1,291,175, based on a value of $25 per square foot, which is consistent with the land value as determined by a recent appraisal of the neighboring Thea’s Landing property. The land is owned by the FWDA; proceeds from property sales are to be used to support FWDA operations and Foss capital improvements, and a portion will be used to repay a prior capital improvement loan from the City.

The developer will complete the sidewalk and transition to esplanade along the site, complete permanent improvements to the north view and access corridor, complete 40 feet of park on the south side of the property and provide park amenities including passive and active play areas.

Purchase Resolution

This week’s purchase resolution includes three items.

1. $746,097 budgeted from the LTGO Bond Funds 2009E and 2010E for design, permitting, and construction administration of the People ‘s Community Center New Pool and Aquatics Facility through September 30, 2015;
2. $3,492,367 budgeted from the LTGO Bond Funds 2009E and 2010D for the Marine Security Operations Center project located at 3301 Ruston Way to be completed in August of 2014; and
3. $108 ,978, for a cumulative total of $577,457.00, budgeted from the LTGO Bond Funds 2009E and 201OD, to increase the contract for construction administration services for the Marine Security Operations Center project located at 3301 Ruston Way.

A new pool for People’s Community Center has been in the works for a while now, and item 1 here would finally put funding toward constructing a new pool and facilities. The existing pool was built in 1978, and closed in 2005 when significant structural issues were identified in the portion of the building that houses the pool. Metro Parks has identified $1.65 million to put towards the project as well. If approved, design work would begin this summer, with construction anticipated to begin summer 2014, and completion expected sometime in summer 2015.

Items 2 and 3 deal with improvements to the Marine Security Operations Center at 3301 Ruston Way. Located between Katie Downs and Duke’s on the waterfront, the MSOC needs some work. Item 2 would cover the construction of improvements including removal of a portion of the existing pier and piles; installation of a new float system and gangway for moorage of emergency service vessels; structural improvements to the existing building and pier structure and remodel of the station for joint public safety use; and addition of a new upland apparatus bay and site improvements for an emergency service vehicle. Item 3 would increase funds budgeted for construction administration services for the project. The project is part of the Tacoma Fire Department’s strategic plan to create a joint police and fire facility to enhance the maritime response capabilities for Commencement Bay and the south Puget Sound area. A FEMA grant will provide nearly $1.1 million towards project costs. Construction is anticipated to begin in mid-August and to be completed August 2014. 

Citizens’ Forum

This is your monthly opportunity as a Tacoman to stand up and address your City Council on any topic under its jurisdiction. It’s your three minutes.

Other Items…

A resolution appearing on this week’s Council agenda would appoint and reappoint individuals to serve on the Human Rights Commission, Public Utility Board, and Tacoma Planning Commission.

Another resolution on this week’s agenda would authorize the $375,000 of excess proceeds from the 2009 LTGO Bond Series E Fund agreed to per the Memorandum of Understanding with Metro Parks to replace 3,300 linear feet of water main and add seven new fire hydrants to Fort Nisqually in Point Defiance.

One ordinance will get a final reading this week; we heard the first reading of the ordinance, which would amend the TMC to increase the bill due date from 10 to 15 days for TPU utility customers.