Puyallup Tribe plans entertainment district on site of former Tacoma casino, records show
The Puyallup Tribe of Indians plans to redevelop the site of its former Emerald Queen Tacoma I-5 Casino into an entertainment district, according to pre-application plans filed with the city of Tacoma.
The 17.6-acre property is at 2024 E. 29th St.
The previous EQC was replaced by the tribe’s expansive Tacoma casino and hotel complex, 2920 E. R. St. The new casino opened in 2020, the hotel in 2021. The site of the former casino most recently served as a drive-thru COVID-19 testing facility.
A copy of the entertainment district plans, including a preliminary map outlining the project, were obtained by The News Tribune from the city via a records request.
According to the project’s pre-application memo, “The proposed district includes buildings, a parking garage, multi-use field, as well as a proposed museum and retail/entertainment.”
It states, “The district will be supported by new infrastructure including internal private roadways, private utilities, and landscaping throughout the site.”
The Puyallup Tribal Council on Thursday sent a statement to The News Tribune following an inquiry about the project, noting the project was announced last year to membership.
“It is part of our ambitious economic development plans to ensure better service and prosperity for our Puyallup Tribal members,” the council said. “We will share more details when we get closer to construction.”
Project outline
The project is to be developed in phases:
Phase 1 includes construction of a four-story administration building of approximately 95,000 square feet; a four-story parking garage of approximately 197,000 square feet; and a proposed museum.
The first phase also includes a private roadway (A Street) to extend East 29th Street into the property and to connect the new entertainment district with the existing casino to the west.
A proposed Multi-Use Field also will be constructed on the west side of the property. It notes that “private roadways and utilities will be extended throughout the site to support future development phases.”
Future phases would include retail/entertainment on the south side of the site and within retail tenant zones.
The project offers a general overview of sewer, stormwater, water and utility work. The proposed timeline calls for permit filings to start in March with work tentatively starting the next month, though estimated start dates often change from original filings.
No cost estimates were listed.
The tribe for decades has had big economic development plans for the area involving a large casino, hotel and surrounding redevelopment.
In 2003, plans were announced that also included a 3-acre lake, saltwater aquariums and a 30-foot indoor waterfall, along with movie theater, bowling and restaurants, according to News Tribune archives.
Plans and priorities have changed through the years, and timing is everything, tribal officials have noted in past presentations with the city.
The latest filing offers a more targeted approach, noting, “Future phases for retail/entertainment are dependent on market conditions.”
This story was originally published February 17, 2023 at 5:00 AM.
