Pierce County, Tacoma strike deal to develop long-vacant parcel into affordable housing
A partnership between Pierce County and the city of Tacoma is putting a longtime vacant parcel to use for housing.
Pierce County will transfer 2.90 acres at 3561 Pacific Ave. in Tacoma to the city of Tacoma/Tacoma Community Redevelopment Authority “to be developed as mixed-income housing with a minimum 80 units reserved for lower income households,” according to an announcement Wednesday from the Pierce County Council.
The vacant land is across from South Sound 911 along Pacific Avenue.
Under the agreement, at least two-thirds of the residential units developed are for households with incomes at or below 80 percent of the area median income, or an annual income of $57,750 for a three-person household.
The requirement is in place for a minimum of 40 years.
Additionally, the agreement authorized use of the parcel as a temporary shelter through Dec. 31, 2023.
According to the resolution, “Temporary shelter is defined as Emergency Sheltering such as the Tacoma Stability Site, city-sanctioned micro-shelters, or temporary sheltering hosted by non-profits and faith-based organizations,” per city code.
No decision on type of shelter has been made at this point, according to Tanisha Jumper, media representative for city of Tacoma.
“No final determinations have been made at this time, other than the options that have been outlined in the resolution,” she told The News Tribune via email.
According to the announcement, “If the site hasn’t been transformed into a temporary shelter by 2023, the option to offer temporary shelter on site may be extended for two years, with the county’s consent. This process may continue in two-year increments until development begins on the site.”
The agreement is not open-ended, however.
“If no site development or building permits are issued within eight years of the land transfer, the property returns to Pierce County,” the county noted in its release.
The Pierce County Council approved the deal during its April 19 meeting.
“To help address the challenges we face related to the housing crisis in the region, we asked for a review of county-owned properties with the intent to find a path with our partners to see more housing built,” Pierce County Council Vice Chair Marty Campbell said in a statement.
“This agreement carries out a shared priority between the county and city to increase affordable housing in the region and provide economic development in our neighborhoods.”
Pierce County acquired the property in 2000 as part of a larger land deal to be developed for county facilities, which did not occur.
In 2007, the property was declared surplus, but never sold.
TCRA owns adjacent property. At a March 24 meeting it approved a proposal by Mercy Housing Northwest to develop 81 units of affordable housing over an early learning center and community space on its land.
“When this transfer is completed, it will give the city the opportunity to work with an experienced developer to realize some of the highest and best use opportunities for this location through the development of a mixed-use residential and commercial property, bringing retail and addressing affordable housing needs in an area that has many opportunities for improvement,” said city of Tacoma Deputy Mayor Catherine Ushka in a statement.
“This land transfer is a great example of the power of partnerships,” said Pierce County Executive Bruce Dammeier. “It is important that we use all of the county’s resources to their highest and best use, and I’m pleased that the city of Tacoma will have the opportunity to bring badly needed affordable housing to our community.”
