City Releases RFP for a Transit-Oriented Site Along the Medical Mile

Tacoma, Wash. -- In keeping with a vision contemplated by both the City of Tacoma and the Washington State Department of Commerce, for the continued revitalization of Tacoma's historic Hilltop neighborhood, the City's Community and Economic Development Department has issued a Request for Development Proposals for mixed use commercial-residential development on roughly 1.5 shovel-ready acres at Martin Luther King Jr. Way and South 11th Street. The site is owned by the Washington State Department of Commerce.

"The City is excited about a partnership with the State of Washington to help this valuable property achieve its best and highest use that will benefit the community and generate tax revenue," said Tacoma Mayor Marilyn Strickland." This parcel sits at a pivotal location along the planned expansion of Sound Transit’s Link Light Rail and represents a great opportunity to support mixed use development."

"The recent healthcare related developments and expansion, as well as the pending redevelopment of the Browne’s Star Grill, which is a historic landmark site, demonstrates the opportunities which are available for redevelopment on this site at Martin Luther King Jr. Way and South 11th Street," said Community and Economic Development Director Ricardo Noguera. "Workforce housing and retail services are highly sought after along this corridor."

A pre-bidders conference will be held on Monday, Dec. 16, 2013 at 2:30 p.m. in the Visibility Center on the ninth floor of the Tacoma Municipal Building (747 Market St.) and first proposals will be accepted starting Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2014 at 11 a.m., and every Tuesday thereafter at 11 a.m., until the solicitation is closed by the City.

Proposals and questions from developers should be directed to Chuck Blankenship in the Finance Department's Purchasing Division at cblankenship@cityoftacoma.org.