PAUL SCHRAG: UPDATE ON THE TACOMA CITY COUNCIL'S TRIP TO D.C. >>>

Tacoma City Council members recently went to the other Washington to vie for a slice of that delicious federal tax pie. Six members of the Tacoma City Council visited with local notables such as U.S. House of Representatives member Norm Dicks, and Senators Adam Smith, Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray. City council member Marilyn Strickland zings that “it was cold outside, but we were warmly received.”

Council members were in the nation’s capitol to discuss economic recovery plans, infrastructure funding, and other topics related to the continuing growth and health of Tacoma. City officials brought the message that Tacoma didn’t create a new list of projects out of concern over the global economic crisis. Rather, they were asking for investments that were part of a long term vision for the city â€" which is damn clever if you think about it.

Tacoma officials joined thousands of others at the table, asking for money during a time when the United States federal budget deficit is getting plain ridiculous, totaling $485.2 billion during the first quarter of fiscal 2009, which began in October of last year. That’s a record, by the way. The federal deficit is expected to reach an all-time high of $1.2 trillion by the end of fiscal 2009. That figure doesn’t incorporate an $800 billion economic stimulus bill currently pushing its way through.

Jesus. ...

If we’re lucky, some of that money will make its way to Tacoma. Public funds, if granted, would ultimately be used to attract private investment by completing essential infrastructure projects.
The vision, says Strickland, is based on three concepts: keeping jobs, creating jobs and urban renewal.

“We emphasized that the evolution of downtown Tacoma is still in its infancy,” says Strickland of her conversation with legislators. “While great strides have been made, infrastructure improvements are still necessary to retain and attract private investment.  Some cities may choose to wait for the economy to recover but the Tacoma City Council realizes how important it is to maintain our momentum and make investments now.”

City officials currently have an estimated $175 million worth of shovel-ready projects, which could be implemented within the next 90 days and completed in two years. Well, if they get some federal money, that is.

Requests included $24 million for repair of the Murray Morgan, Hylebos and Puyallup River bridges; $140 million for arterial streets, ADA curb ramps, sidewalk reconstruction, repaving of severely damaged residential streets; $7 million for Metro Parks; $10 million for residential streets in the Salishan development project in east Tacoma. City officials also advocated strongly for capital funds for area educational institution, requesting $12 million for Tacoma Public Schools and $54 million for UW Tacoma. 

Now it all becomes a wait-and-see affair.

“The federal government isn't going to write the City of Tacoma a big fat check for $175 million,” says Strickland.

Well, they might send some directly, but there are a few different ways the money could trickle down to Tacoma, including allocations from the Puget Sound Regional Council and state agencies.

Along with funding requests comes a list of policy guidelines and goals, which is how politicians say, “If you throw down a little, we promise to use your money wisely.”

Those goals include: extending public transit to underserved areas; implementing market-based pricing for downtown parking; adopting mixed use center and complete street guidelines to encourage density and create walkable neighborhoods; creating incentives for development projects that meet or exceed LEED certification; and enhancing the market for local goods and services

We like the sound of all those, but would add a request for some more Fred Meyer topiaries for Tollefson Plaza. 

Photo courtesy of Flickr/forki23