Grand Opening September 2010 / Brochure & Facts / Background / Project Development / Project Schedule / Design / Photo Gallery / News / Groundbreaking 2009 / Contact Us
Center for Urban Waters - Grand Opening Celebration - NEW!
Grand Opening Celebration & Open HouseThursday, Sept. 9, 2010
1:30 p.m.
Featured speakers: Congressman Norm Dicks, Governor Chris Gregoire, Tacoma Mayor Marilyn Strickland & others to be announced.
Program to be followed by building tours and educational displays.
Shuttle service: Because parking at the site is very limited, guests can take shuttles from Tacoma Dome Parking Lot A (free for people using the shuttle service) or the Tacoma Municipal Building, 747 Market St. Detailed information is on the grand opening event web page.
RSVP: Not necessary.
TVTacoma will tape the celebration and replay it after the event. Times will be posted later on TVTacoma's website.
Center for Urban Waters
The Center for Urban Waters, a 51,000 square-foot office and laboratory building, was completed in Spring 2010. The new City of Tacoma facility was constructed to house the City's Environmental Services Division labs and offices, University of Washington Tacoma research labs, and an office for the Puget Sound Partnership.
About 95 city employees moved into the building in April 2010, followed by the UW Tacoma at Urban Waters, where faculty will support the research mission of the center. The Puget Sound Partnership is expected to move in during late summer.
The building is at 326 East D Street on the east side of the Thea Foss Waterway, across from downtown Tacoma and not far from I-5. Driving directions are included on the map.
Address:
326 East D Street
Tacoma, WA 98421-1801
The site also features a public esplanade along the waterway and a 75-foot dock to accommodate water-monitoring vessels.
Development
The project was constructed using an alternative approach to traditional public works projects. It was built by a nonprofit company created specifically for the project. The building is being occupied by the City under a lease-to-own contract. The Project Development section provides an overview of the approach used.
LEED Platinum goal
In addition to highlighting the City's dedication to urban water quality, the new facility is a showcase for the City's commitment to sustainable building practices and energy conservation. The City is pursuing LEED Platinum certification, the highest possible rating awarded under the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating system. More information on LEED, the nationally recognized standard for green buildings, is available from the US Green Building Council.
For more information, e-mail urbanwatersinfo@cityoftacoma.org.