July 21, 2009 · Derek

The Elks Project - A Few More Drawings

As you may recall, it was announced a few weeks ago that there was a viable development project being proposed for the Elks Building. In today’s city council study session we heard a few more details and saw a lot more drawings. The gist of the story remains the same. McMenamins gets the Elks Temple. Elks on Broadway (Grace Pleasants and Rick Moses) will build a grocery store and housing above a City owned 5 story, 300 stall parking garage in what is now the empty lot to the north of the historic building.

Next week, on July 28th, a non-binding letter of intent will go before the City Council to authorize the City Manager to negotiate the development agreement. The City appears to be on the hook for a few things. Here are a couple highlights:

Try to extend a $1.2 million UDAG loan for the project. The loan would be secured by the land value which exceeds the loan amount.
Secure funding, design, and construct a 300-stall garage within the project. If there is a delay, then the City would need to help secure parking within a 3 block area for McMenamins and the other tenants. A point to note is that all parking is MARKET RATE including the guaranteed spots for the project within the city owned structure.
Complete renovation of the Spanish Steps by Spring 2012.
Provide historic renovation and multi-family tax abatements.

Nearly everybody at the table was able to point to various benefits and positive impacts created by this project. 300+ jobs. Neighborhood revitalization. Transportation node creation. Plus, the renovation of the Elks.

All that said, here are some of the presentation images:

Click to Enlarge

Timeline
July 27, 2009 – Council to consider entering into Letter of Intent
Aug/Sept 2009 – Council to consider extending $1.2 million UDAG loan
Sept 29, 2009 – Council to consider entering into development agreement.

If all goes as planned, construction should begin Fall 2010 with completion in Spring 2012.

Previously on Exit133: Elks to become a McMenamins

Filed under: McMenamins Elks Project

32 comments

RR Anderson July 21, 2009

so cool! goosebumps!
Jesse July 21, 2009

This project, combined with the LID, has the ability to create mad synergy in this area. Look for this neighborhood to take off like a rocket 2012-ish. This will be “the place to be and be seen”.
Erik B. July 22, 2009

Let’s hope that between the developers and the Tacoma City Council that they can implement their plans.
Anike July 22, 2009

Pretty cool!
crenshaw sepulveda July 22, 2009

I wonder what the odds are that this project will ever get beyond the renderings stage. I’d really like to see this happen, it looks like we have a commitment but is that enough. In one fell swoop we have people offering downtown everything it ever wanted, well almost everything. The grocery store I can live without but it would be nice if they have the room for it and a customer base. There have been so many rendering before. Will this really get off the ground?
Kevin July 22, 2009

I love everything about this… almost. The two things that bother me are the garage entrance and the loading dock/entrance.

… other then that, I love it!

One last thing, I hope the new addition will complement the Elks bldg.
Thorax O'Tool July 22, 2009

Oh please Oh please Oh please Oh please Oh please Oh please Oh please Oh please Oh please Oh please Oh please Oh please Oh please Oh please Oh please Oh please Oh please Oh please Oh please Oh please Oh please Oh please Oh please Oh please Oh please….
Thorax O'Tool July 22, 2009

I’d like to see some more concrete renderings sooner than later.

But you know, Jesse has hit on something I’ve been thinking about: the future.
By “major city” in Western WA standards, Tacoma got bypassed by most of the developers and their dollars during the last 10 years. They spent ungodly sums in Seattle and Bellevue. While Seattle is big enough to justify most of the development, Bellevue is so damn over-developed that it’s not funny.
I’m really starting to get the vibe that when the next round starts going, the allure of a non-overdeveloped city the size of Bellevue+Federal Way combined with lower land costs will be too much to resist.
If City Hall plays it’s cards right, T-Town could be poised to grow and develop while our neighbors in the north keep working on filling those empty skyscrapers.
Maggie July 22, 2009

I’m really hoping this project takes off. Sounds awesome even if it does make my life a little hellish for a while by needing to find another detour to I-5. Sprague will be closed until Fall 2011 and I am sure this construction area will be difficult to deal with, too.

Will I be weaving through Downtown or Old Town?
Nancy July 22, 2009

I am so excited about this project. Let’s hope it goes to fruition. What a great project for this beautiful building. I am so hopeful!
Mofo from the Hood July 22, 2009

LITTLE KNOWN FACT:

Tacoma is one of the world’s most illustrated cities in the category of architectural renderings.
Squid July 22, 2009

Wow. What a difference a mouse click makes. Check out the comments about this project on the TNT website. What a bunch of vipers.

There are people out there, some whispering and some posting/blathering at the TNT that would love to drive a stake through this. It’s the whispers I worry about, that’s how stuff gets killed around here.
altered Chords July 22, 2009

Squid’s right. The TNT comments are pathetic. I doubt that knuckleheaded venom filled comments are given any credence.

I can assure McMenemins that if they build it I will drink beer there.

They have my airtight, rock solid commitment. Altered Chords is a man of his word.
crenshaw sepulveda July 23, 2009

Let me tell you if they were building a walmart at the site of Elks the TNT commentators would be lined up to support it. You have to understand that people that drink micro brews make those sorts of people very nervous.
inbloodyrise July 26, 2009

i thought it might be wierd that the grocery store would be up several levels, but it looks like it would be perfect ground level access from the next street up. very smart design to build the store and apartments on same footing.

i am stoked about mcMenamins. there are already great pubs around tacoma, this just highlights the fact that us snobby beer drinkers are a viable market. i look forward to seeing what other kinds of innovations in service/atmosphere the new brewpub inspires in local bars.
Laura Morris July 26, 2009

Sounds like a great idea. It will really help neighborhood home values. Love the idea of multifamily tax breaks!
Trina Jones, photographer July 27, 2009

I have a lovely photography studio in the Old City hall where the restaurant used to be with a great view of the Elks. I would love to see restoration of the building, it is amazing and sad to see it fall apart or be destroyed daily by idiots. I hope the McMenamin’s are the one’s to do it.
drizell July 30, 2009

It’s nice to see the renderings, but I’ll be slightly pessimistic until ground is actually broken. There is no doubt that the Broadway LID had something to do with this project. Many of the existing McMenamins establishments in Portland are located in areas that underwent substantial public investment in sidewalks and utilities. I hope this project is successful to the point that the owners of the many other derelict properties in the area decide to also invest in their land.
Bella August 1, 2009

I’m with Thorax…….oh please oh please oh please oh please oh please oh please oh please oh please oh please oh please oh please oh please oh please
crenshaw sepulveda August 2, 2009

I guess now the money slated for the Luzon will now be heading to this project instead. Maybe the Elks can somehow incorporate the Luzon tree into the project.
altered Chords August 3, 2009

By the time McMenemins goes in Club Coconut will probably be in so we’ll have the following choices of watering holes:
701
Meconi’s
Matador
Paddy Coynes
Merende
Club Coconut
Silverstone
Mix
McMenamins
Mineola’s
Maxwell’s
Doyle’s

In the north downtown/st helens area.

So many drinking establishments, so little time.

PS – have I missed any (in this geographic region – don’t start adding stuff from UP or the east side)
Jake August 3, 2009

PSP
altered Chords August 3, 2009

Harmon Hub
Over The Moon
Ravenous
crenshaw sepulveda August 3, 2009

No one is afraid that Elks may negatively impact the surrounding businesses? I wonder if a McMenimins Elks could be overwhelming presence and siphon off a lot of business from the existing neighbors.
Steven August 3, 2009

Is Cans still operating? You can add that to the list.
altered Chords August 3, 2009

It is. Let us add Cans to our list.
Thorax O'Tool August 4, 2009

well, of course McMenamins would compete with other bars/clubs… that’s what the whole “free market” nad “capitalism” things are about. While it would be sad if the competition was too fierce for one of the others, that alone is a terrible reason to leave the Elks to rot more.

“We can’t have other businesses come to town… they might compete with what we already have!”

That kinda attitude is why we’re where we are to begin with.

But besides, look at it in these terms: I don’t go to clubs and bars because I don’t drink. Most places are boring as all get-up if you’re in my shoes. BUT I would likely go to McMenamins because they have more things to do if you’re not busy killing your liver.
Encouraging new customers… Is that so bad?
Thorax O'Tool August 4, 2009

@drizell…

Imagine the LID-type action we could get with parking $$$.

In “theory” I like free parking as much as the next guy. But if the fees improve our roads like the Broadway LID has (thus encouraging businesses to move in), then I’m 100% for it.

…besides, if I’m feeling too cheap to pay, I’ll bike or walk.
Jesse August 4, 2009

I have a feeling all the bars will start to feed off of each other and the McElks will only multiply the possible audience in downtown for more restaraunts and bars. It’s “value added” per-se.

Now, if the city could only find a destination store or two for downtown to get things going on that front…
crenshaw sepulveda August 4, 2009

I guess I am concerned about the level of competition a McMenimins Elks would provide. I like the McMenimins operations and god knows I’ve supported them over the years. I know that a McMenimins is not for everyone but I suspect putting in what is essentially the Wal-Mart of drinking establishments will make it very difficult for the smaller guys to survive. Maybe I’m wrong, I’d like to be wrong. Competition is a good thing and perhaps the consumer will win. I have no problem with a booze based downtown but a lot of little guys have labored a long time to see that we are properly watered in the downtown area. The Elks will certainly be a destination for not only downtown people but people from all over the area. I hope the economy has fully recovered when they finally open their doors. Good times for all, I’m sure.
Thorax August 4, 2009

“Walmart of drinking”… I don’t know about that… Can any drinking establishment really stoop down to that level? Kinda like comparing a Walk-In to Satan himself, isn’t it?

But even then, there will be no “fully recovered”, Crenshaw. Not only is it obvious we’re returning to normal, but even Bernake himself stated that it takes 2.5% GDP growth to maintain job levels… and the Fed is projecting 2.3-2.4% growth for the next 10 years… so realistically what we’re seeing is what we’ll have for quite some time.
…maybe drinking establishments will become the new Starbucks… one on every corner.
altered Chords August 4, 2009

A “walmart of drinking establishments” would serve Bud, Coors and get a little crazy offereing Bud light and coors light. Cheap, bland, popular among the ignorant.

McMenamins brews there own beer. It is 2 notches above. It is the Nordstrom of beer halls.

Afraid of competition? We could express this concern another way. “We have crap and don’t want anything good to come to town because people might realize we sell crap and buy better stuff”

C’mon. Comptetition raises the bar.