The City of Tacoma won’t be the next caretaker of Pugnetti Park, the little-known patch of land perhaps best known as the former home of Occupy Tacoma.
The four-month occupation of the downtown park this winter brought the property to the attention of its owner, the state Department of Transportation. After state officials told Occupy Tacoma protesters to clear out in February, the transportation department erected a fence around the park, indefinitely barring the public.
The state has been shopping the park – at Pacific Avenue and South 21st Street – to potential buyers, including Tacoma. On Tuesday, City Manager T.C. Broadnax said the city’s not interested.
“In light of the current budget situation and the fact that the city is currently working to transition many of Tacoma’s park properties to Metro Parks Tacoma, I cannot recommend we acquire this additional park,” Broadnax said in a statement.
Broadnax told the City Council that the city will lean on Metro Parks to consider taking over the park. Last week, a spokeswoman for the parks agency said it had no plans to seek ownership.
News Tribune staff
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