Tacoma Community
Information
Tacoma, Wa Website
located on the
southern end of Puget Sound on Commencement Bay -- is a city rich in history
and focused
on
the future. Founded in 1874, Tacoma was an important destination for the transcontinental
railroad system. The railway
connection to the deepwater port on Puget Sound established the city as a major
link in national and international commerce.
The city has taken advantage of that decision to grow into one of the premier
places to live in America. The city was
nationally recognized in 1998 by Money Magazine as the number two medium-sized
city in its list of "The Best Places to Live
in America." With a thriving economy, low crime, quality schools, a revitalized
downtown and affordable housing, Tacoma
offers its residents an excellent quality of life. Home prices start at $65,000
for condominiums and townhouses. Older model
single-family homes are also available beginning at $65,000. Newer homes with
a minimum of 1,500 square feet can be found for
under $100,000 and range up to $700,000 or more. Many of the homes offer spectacular
views of the Sound and nearby Mt.
Rainier.
With a population of approximately 186,000, Tacoma is the third largest city
in the state. It is known for its historic
neighborhoods and architecture, wide range of convenient amenities and world-class
port. It's location gives residents easy
access to the entire Puget Sound area. It is only 16 miles from the Seattle-Tacoma
Airport and 26 miles from Seattle.
Historic buildings in downtown Tacoma represent the wealth and vigor of the
early days of industry in the Pacific Northwest.
Nationally renowned architects created works in industrial and high styles,
including Beaux Arts and Art Deco. Neighborhoods
developed in a rich mix often featuring the Victorian and Craftsman styles
that America recognizes as their own type of home.
Commercial and industrial buildings have been adapted for new uses in the downtown
area, and have won national respect for
that work. Neighborhood coalitions have worked to preserve the character of
entire streets and blocks.
Major restoration efforts and a growing revitalization of Tacoma's downtown
area are rapidly changing the city's past
reputation as an industrial rail and lumber town. The central business district
began emerging in the mid-1980s with the
restoration of the historic Pantages Theater, construction of the Tacoma Sheraton
Hotel and The Financial Center, and
renovation of Union Station.
In the 1990s, a growing infusion of boutiques, art galleries,
restaurants and night spots have contributed to the comeback of
downtown Tacoma. A major addition is the $40.8-million Washington State History
Museum that opened in 1996. It features
interactive and multimedia exhibits and showcases the most significant collection
of pioneer, Native American and Alaskan
artifacts on the West Coast. The 106,000-square-foot museum's dramatic architecture
complements the massive, arched,
Romanesque style of adjacent Union Station.
The University of Washington opened the first phase of its Tacoma Branch campus
in 1997. Located across Pacific Avenue from
the Washington State History Museum and Union Station, the downtown site cost
$33 million initially and will expand to a
46-acre, $85-million campus.
Union Station -- a landmark designed by the architects who created New York's
Grand Central Station -- was built in 1911 by
the Northern Pacific Railway when Tacoma was its western terminus. The copper-domed
station was once considered the grandest
building north of San Francisco. However, it was vacated in 1983 when Amtrak
moved its operations elsewhere and it then fell
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