Popular chicken-sandwich chain coming to T-Dome as food vendor. New fencing also planned
New fencing is one of the many upgrades the Tacoma Dome is focused on this year that include a popular national chicken chain’s introduction as a new concession vendor.
Tacoma Venues & Events, the city department that manages the Tacoma Dome, 2727 E. D St., is set to have 4,000 feet of security fencing installed around the Dome’s 26-acre perimeter.
The other big news is a Chick-fil-A concession stand to be added to the Dome’s food/beverage options.
Tammi Bryant, deputy director of marketing, business development and programming, told The News Tribune via email that the Chick-fil-A concession’s grand opening will be at the Dome’s April 4-5 dance music event.
Bryant confirmed on Monday the Chick-fil-A concession would be closed on Sundays, in line with other Chick-fil-A concession stands elsewhere in the U.S. at sports/entertainment venues.
As for the new perimeter fencing, Bryant said it is based “on industry standard security practices for large sports and entertainment venues” as recommended in the Department of Homeland Security’s Reference Manual to Mitigate Potential Terrorist Attacks Against Buildings.
The new barrier is part of longtime planned upgrades at the Dome. In 2018, the venue launched a refresh/overhaul that included new seats.
The Dome initially opened in April 1983. Its first major concert was later that year in August, hosting David Bowie on his “Serious Moonlight” tour.
“An enclosed plaza provides opportunities to welcome guests to the Dome earlier for hospitality and entertainment while also distributing traffic flow over an extended period,” Bryant wrote about the new fencing.
The new barrier will serve as an “8-foot anti-climb wire mesh fence with pedestrian gates and vehicle gates,” according to the permit filing with the city.
“Custom canopy structures will cover pedestrian gates around the perimeter,” the filing stated.
The permit’s status as of Friday with the city was listed as “awaiting resubmittal/revisions.”
Funding for the fence, at a cost of $1.4 million, is through the Dome’s operating reserves as an Enterprise Fund, which is not part of the city’s General Fund.
The Puget Sound Business Journal first reported on the new fencing March 19.
Other capital projects on tap for this year at the Tacoma Dome:
▪ Improvements to Wi-Fi and cell service.
▪ Installation of an exterior audio public address system.
▪ Completion of sensory room in collaboration with Kulture City certification.
▪ Completed installation of new sport scoreboards (for WIAA Basketball earlier this month).
▪ Installation of increased electrical service and purchase of new stage equipment to support event productions.
▪ Seal and repaint parking lots.
▪ Updates to signage.
This story was originally published March 24, 2025 at 5:15 AM.
