A late businessman helped change the face of Tacoma. 3 new local landmarks prove it | Opinion

Recently Tacoma lost a true civic leader with the sudden passing of former deputy mayor and longtime businessman Paul Miller.

From Miller’s efforts to invest into Tacoma’s downtown when others were leaving to his 10 years on the Tacoma City Council or his role in establishing the World’s largest automobile museum — Paul always stayed focused on improving the community that he spent his entire life living in. We had the privilege of serving with Paul while on the council.

First and foremost, Paul, who died on Nov. 20 while vacationing in Cabo San Lucas, was wickedly smart. His ability to grasp complex issues, whether they be financial, legal or otherwise was always apparent.

Paul was also a skilled negotiator, which he put to good use when working on civic projects in Tacoma.

We offer three examples of his impact on Tacoma:

The first example was exhibited during Paul’s time serving on the council. He was appointed by his fellow colleagues to represent Tacoma as a board member on the newly formed Sound Transit. At the time, there were doubts that the King County-centric board would follow through on promises made to voters that the agency would construct a light rail line in our downtown.

Paul represented the city with both skill and tenacity. Through his efforts, Sound Transit kept its promise and built the 1.6-mile Tacoma Link rail system running from the Tacoma Dome to Old City Hall.

But there is more to the story, one which shows why Paul was such a valued civic leader.

During the design phase, numerous influential businessmen were lobbying to have the rail line traverse entirely along Pacific Avenue. It would have been easy for Paul to push for this alignment. As the owner of one of the largest office buildings along Pacific Avenue, this alignment likely would have increased his building’s property value.

Still, Paul understood that — in the future — there might be an opportunity to expand light rail to the Stadium District and Hilltop. He also knew this type of expansion would be practically impossible if the alignment stayed on Pacific Avenue.

As a result, Paul worked to end on Commerce Street, thus preserving future options.

Fast forward to today: As Tacoma celebrates the Hilltop Link light rail expansion, our city should be grateful for Paul’s visionary leadership that made this extension possible.

A second example was Paul’s role in helping to create the blueprint for what is now known as Point Ruston.

Once again, Paul was asked by his colleagues to represent the council on the ASARCO Advisory Committee. At the time, there were a myriad of complex issues regarding the former smelter site that involved both the EPA and Department of Energy. Helping to draft the blueprint allowing for the future development of the site was essential to establishing the site’s cleanup plan.

Today, despite recent financial challenges, Point Ruston is jewel along our waterfront and one of the West Coast’s best example of waterfront mixed-use development.

A final example of Paul’s negotiating skills is reflected in Tacoma having what is generally recognized as the finest automobile museum in the world. Adjacent to the Tacoma Dome, the Lemay – America’s Car Museum has brought worldwide attention to Tacoma.

As one of the founding board members, Paul worked for several years to help secure more than $70 million in donations and loans necessary to construct the museum. Perhaps more significant, Paul was focused on keeping the museum next to the Tacoma Dome, even as other sites became available. Paul relentlessly spent over a year negotiating with city officials to acquire the necessary land needed to develop the museum and keep it in Tacoma.

At Paul’s passing, he was the president and chief operating officer of the museum, continuing his visionary leadership that spanned more than five decades in Tacoma.

Paul’s impact on Tacoma goes well beyond these three examples. So much of what he worked on was behind the scenes. Getting public recognition was never in his DNA. Making Tacoma a great community was.

The next time you pass by America’s Car Museum, see passengers riding on the four-mile Tacoma Light Rail system or visit Point Ruston, remember that without civic leaders like Paul these iconic parts to our city may not exist.

All great cities have one common trait — they are blessed with great civic leaders.

Paul Miller exemplified that here in Tacoma.

This story was originally published January 3, 2024 at 5:00 AM.