Senior center? Manufacturing site? TNT readers have opinions on Armory’s future
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Readers propose uses for Tacoma Armory: arts space, housing or public services.
- Suggestions include workforce training, senior centers, light manufacturing.
- Some call for public acquisition to preserve building for community benefit.
The News Tribune recently asked readers for ideas for the Tacoma Armory, set to be offered for sale later this year by its owner, nonprofit Tacoma Arts Live.
From moving downtown government offices to the site and taking those buildings for housing, to adapting a restaurant idea from Seattle, readers definitely had thoughts.
“What about FareStart?” suggested reader Gayle Larsen, referring to the restaurant work-training program in Seattle for those who otherwise face barriers to employment. Those barriers can include poverty, housing instability, mental health struggles and past incarceration, according to its website.
“Retraining people at risk in the restaurant industry partnering with various chefs and restaurants and providing a ‘restaurant’ to highlight their skills,” Larsen said. “Seattle’s FareStart has been a blessing to the people in need and to the community it serves.”
Susanna Harris wrote, “My suggestion for the place is to make it a place where children and/or seniors can have a place to go and be entertained like a community and/or senior center. A SAFE SPACE a place where there’s social support.”
Harris added, “Too many of us live alone with no family and friends. This would be very good for mental health – person to person in-person contact. People need to be with each other and the internet doesn’t give that.”
Reader Ken Miller had other ideas:
“I suggest light manufacturing/assembly, perhaps by multiple companies. This has two advantages over more ‘human-intensive’ uses. First, probably requires less retrofitting. Second, can contribute to area’s economic health by exporting added-value products.”
In a separate email, he suggested another plan: “the County offices, jail, etc. could move to the Armory and the County (building) be converted to housing.”
Readers online also had thoughts.
“(Tacoma Mayor) Anders Ibsen needs to show that he’s a creative and persuasive civic leader and come up with a path forward,” one commenter said. “The building needs to be a public arts space; housing makes no sense there.”
Roller rink, senior center and dance club also were mentioned by various respondents.
“Whatever the choice is should be in the public’s hands,” wrote Sean Arent. “This building was gifted to Tacoma Arts Live for public benefit by the Robersons. The City of Tacoma, Parks Tacoma and Pierce County should acquire the space for continued public benefit, not private enrichment.”
Mat Shaw is the stepson of the late Fred Roberson and president of the Roberson Building Co. in Tacoma. Roberson’s ownership of the armory was handed off to TAL after his death in 2022.
In an emailed response to questions, Shaw told The News Tribune his family understood TAL’s financial challenges.
“TAL did reach out to me about the closing and their plans to sell the building,” he said. “I made it very clear that we understood, and that it would simply lead to the next iteration of Fred’s intent to support their cause.
“Hopefully, the (TAL) education program can continue,” he added.
