Breaking News - $75 million Federal Grant for Tacoma Link Expansion in 2016 Budget Proposal

Sound Transit just announced that the The Tacoma Link may be receiving a $75 million federal grant in fiscal year 2016. This comes as great news for local downtown businesses who want the Tacoma Link to grow and facilitate ridership to the downtown corridor. Easier access means economic growth for our region.This federal grant, also known as the Small Starts grant would act as a supplement to local tax revenues and other grants needed for construction of the 2.4 mile light rail expansion.

The Obama Administration proposed this federal grant supporting $74.99 federal funding and would provide the single largest funding for extending the Tacoma Link light rail line.Although, it does not end there this budget must next be approved by Congress. In 2008 voters approved the expansion of Tacoma Link in the 2 ballot measure and the Sound Transit Board has been diligently coalition building. 

Currently Sound Transit and the City have worked together to secure $13 million in grants for the City's contribution to the project. The 2.4-mile voter approved expansion requires approximately $75 million in Small Starts funding, $50 million in ST2 revenues, and $40 million from the City of Tacoma who is a key partner in the project. This alignment would expand the Tacoma Link from the Theater District to the Stadium and Hilltop districts with seven proposed stations. The Board is scheduled to review a final alignment and station locations this spring. 

Tacoma Link Expansion on the Horizon

There is an expansion of the Tacoma Link on the horizon which comes as great news for the Tacoma-Pierce County region! At the beginning of January Sound Transit's Capital Committee officially launched Phase 3 of the Tacoma Link expansion project that should be complete at the end of 2015.

Sound Transit approved the contract for $1.7m with CH2m Hill, Inc to provide engineering services. This preliminary engineering process will bring the Tacoma Link Expansion project to 30% design. The engineers will begin to review additional design specification for the final construction. 

The BIA is excited for this project and what it can mean for our local business. Furthering our public transit in the City of Tacoma will continue to connect the city and bring visitors into the downtown region.  We will be following this story as more information is announced. 

UW Tacoma and YMCA of Pierce & Kitsap Counties Student Center Grand Opening in Downtown Tacoma

Downtown Tacoma is excited for the grand opening of the new University of Washington Tacoma campus expansion, the University Y Student Center at the beginning of the New Year. This expansion was made possible by the partnership between the University of Washington Tacoma and the YMCA of Pierce & Kitsap Counties.

This new recreation facility was created with the community and student input that includes a 73,000 square-foot multi model space for a full-size gym including weight and cardio equipment, basketball court, indoor track, and space for fitness programs, and student events.

The University Y Student Center will serve the YMCA’s growing membership to UW Tacoma students, faculty and staff, as well as all Y-members. It will not be replacing the YMCA health facility on Market and 16th Street, or any of the other seven facilities throughout Pierce and Kitsap Counties. It was built with the intension of adding another convenient location for the YMCA members and allowing for more space for an expanding membership through the South Sound region.

The grand opening will take place on Tuesday, January 6, 2015 beginning at 5:30 p.m. through 8 p.m., at the University Y Student Center, located at 1720 Market Street on the University of Washington Tacoma campus. There will be facility tours, light refreshments, and other special offers available. We are excited to see the new fitness facility built in downtown Tacoma and make a healthy lifestyle more accessible to our residents.

For more information on membership rates click here.