Tacoma’s Asia Pacific Cultural Center plans major expansion as it celebrates 25th year
Just in time for the Asia Pacific Cultural Center’s 25th anniversary in 2021, plans are being unveiled for a new building project.
The expansion is to address the site’s growing pains. The center was established in 1996 as a 501(c)3 nonprofit to promote art, culture, education and business.
The center works with local agencies and other nonprofits on a multitude of programs, outreach and service projects., including hosting COVID-19 testing and vaccine clinics, as well as food and school supply giveaways during the pandemic.
The center, 4851 South Tacoma Way, currently at 10,500 square feet, will add 10,000 square feet with a new wing. The expanded center will be home to a gallery space, cultural display space, a tea room, martial arts and dance studios, a performance auditorium with full commercial kitchen, a small library, classrooms, gift shop and and an Asian Pacific garden space.
The AAPI Garden will include fountains and sculptures from Asia, according to a recent announcement from the center.
The project is set to cost $9.8 million, according to APCC executive director Faaluaina Pritchard. The money is coming from a mix of state funding, foundations and community donations.
Construction is set to start in 2023, with an estimated completion of 2025.
“It’s expected to take about 14 months,” Pritchard told The News Tribune.
A kitchen is planned to teach Asian-Pacific culinary skills.
“We’re going to do culinary programs that would help students and also adults become chefs,” Pritchard said. “And if any one of those people would like to start a business, we also are creating and starting up an entrepreneurship program.”
The idea came about to help inspire kids the center works with to keep them on track academically, work the center has taken on since 2011.
“A lot of the kids they don’t necessarily want to go to college. If they do, they might want to go to a four-year trade. Culinary is culture to us; cooking and food is cultural.”
Katie Condit, WorkForce Central CEO, told The News Tribune via email in response to the culinary program plans:
“The food service industry has been one of the hardest hit by the pandemic. Food service jobs play an important role in career pathways for Pierce County residents. This new opportunity that Asia Pacific Cultural Center is leading will be vital to the success of local food service businesses and is exactly what we need in Pierce County at this time.”
According to Pritchard: “Our expanded classrooms will also be used to teach entrepreneurship courses, which will be led by successful, local AAPI (Asian-American and Pacific Islander) business leaders volunteering their time to direct the classes and experiences.”
APCC also will host AAPI Night Markets as a way to help promote community involvement.
When the project is completed, “South Tacoma Way will never be the same,” said Pritchard.
APCC will feature the project during its 25th anniversary celebration at the Tacoma Convention Center Nov. 6, from 5-9 pm.
To purchase tickets for the celebration, go to https://bit.ly/apcc25thanniversaryticket.
