9th Street Improvement Project

The 9th Street Improvement Project in downtown Tacoma will improve intersections for pedestrian travel at the intersections of South 9th Street at Broadway, St Helens and Market streets. Design will include all current ADA standards. Work will include new cement concrete sidewalks, concrete crossings, curb and gutter, and street reconstruction work.

The city met with the public in May to gather feedback about the scheduling, sequencing and detour routes for the improvement project. Construction is scheduled to start this July.

Project Schedule:
Advertise: May 2011
Construction Start: July 2011
Project Completion: October 2011

For more information contact: Dan Soderlind, Project Engineer at 253‐591‐5263 or dsoderli@cityoftacoma.org.

Freighthouse Square Train Extravaganza and Sound Transit Open House

Date: May 14 and 15 (Saturday and Sunday)

Time: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Location: Freighthouse Square (2501 East D Street, Tacoma 98421)

Train fans, you won’t want to miss a weekend of train-related events in Tacoma! From special tours of a modern Sounder train to excursions on a restored vintage steam engine train to model train layouts, there’s something fun planned for the whole family! Sound Transit is partnering with the Tacoma Northwestern Model Railroad Show & Swap Meet, Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad, and Freighthouse Square to put on this exciting community event.

Please see the website for additional schedule and admission information.

http://www.soundtransit.org/About-Sound-Transit/News-and-events/Calendar/Freighthouse-Square-51411.xml

Record Number of Attendees at Greater Tacoma Convention & Trade Center

The Greater Tacoma Convention & Trade Center (GTCTC) welcomes three major conventions in May, resulting in record numbers for the GTCTC: The Infant and Early Childhood Conference, Washington Education Association and the Boeing Company. Along with other events held in between these groups, the economic impact to the local community is estimated to be over $2,361,000. With the exception of two, one-day meetings, all of the events will take place within the first twenty-two days of May.

The total attendance for all events in May will be over 17,030. This will result in more than 4,375 guest room nights for Tacoma area hotels.

Local businesses are encouraged to welcome attendees into their establishments by printing welcome signs which are always available on the GTCTC's website, gtctc.org, by selecting the Resource tab, then Media Newsroom page.

For more information, contact the GTCTC at 1-888-227-3705 or online at gtctc.org or facebook.com/gtctc.