TACOMA WATERFRONT Public Access Alternatives Plan Public Access Alternatives Plan The City of Tacoma’s Public Access Alternatives Plan (PAAL) is an implementation strategy associated with the Shoreline Master Program and Open Space Habitat and Recreation Elements of the Comprehensive Plan. The PAAL describes an overall vision and implementation strategy for the City’s 46 miles of waterfront that will connect linear waterfront trail systems to City-wide and regional systems and enhance recreation opportunities for a multitude of uses and abilities. Past waterfront public access plans have been reviewed and incorporated herein to maintain continuity with the past while looking ahead to the future of Tacoma’s waterfront and the needs of our community. City of Tacoma Planning and Development Services Department Planning Services Division 747 Market Street, Room 345 Tacoma, WA 98402-3793 (253) 591-5030 www.cityoftacoma.org/planning The City of Tacoma does not discriminate on the basis of disability in any of its programs, activities, or services. To request this information in an alternative format or to request a reasonable accommodation, please contact the Planning and Development Services Department at (253) 591-5030 (voice) or (253) 591-5820 (TTY). Table of Contents Chapter 1: Introduction ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 Vision ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 Plan Area --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4 Use of the Plan ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5 Chapter 2: Existing Public Access ---------------------------------------------------------- 8 Chapter 3: Planned Public Access --------------------------------------------------------- 10 Section 1: Tacoma Narrows --------------------------------------------------------- 13 Section 2: Point Defiance Park ----------------------------------------------------- 19 Section 3: Ruston Way ---------------------------------------------------------------- 23 Section 4: Schuster Corridor -------------------------------------------------------- 29 Section 5: Thea Foss Waterway ---------------------------------------------------- 35 Section 6: Port Tideflats -------------------------------------------------------------- 43 Section 7: Northeast Tacoma and Marine View Drive ------------------------ 47 Section 8: Wapato Lake and Park -------------------------------------------------- 51 Chapter 4: Priorities for Providing New Shoreline Public Access ---------------- 55 Chapter 5: Implementation Strategy ----------------------------------------------------- 57 Chapter 6: Measuring Performance ------------------------------------------------------ 67 Chapter 7: Public Access Project List ----------------------------------------------------- 69 Chapter 8: Permitting Public Access Projects ------------------------------------------ 75 Chapter 9: Management Issues ------------------------------------------------------------ 77 1.0 INTRODUCTION VISION The City of Tacoma boasts a magnificent by roadways, railroad, steep slopes, or shoreline, offering a variety of waterfront industrial operations – and as a result, experiences for people of all ages and priority shoreline trail systems remain abilities. With over 46 miles of shoreline, incomplete. water and waterfront is one of the This plan memorializes the vision of past dominant characteristics of the City of planning documents while integrating them Tacoma and its urban form, as well as a into a single, unified approach to public locus of economic activity and a driver of waterfront access. This is a long‐term our City’s quality of life. comprehensive strategy to establish a While continuing to respect the past and citywide network of trails, parks, and the history of Tacoma’s waterfront, the City attractions that link different shoreline looks towards the future and the areas, from Tacoma Narrows to tremendous potential and opportunity that Commencement Bay, with connections lay ahead and the central role that the inward to city neighborhoods and outward City’s waterfront will play in the to regional trails. sustainability and quality of life of our Translating vision into reality will not be community and the prospect of a thriving, easy, but the benefits to the City will be resilient economy. great. Imagine a city in which youth can This plan articulates a strategy for bicycle safely from his or her home across developing an integrated, cohesive town to visit a friend; a city with an active waterfront public access system that builds mix of commercial, industrial and on past planning efforts and community recreational uses as well as new aspirations. Despite the significant efforts neighborhoods along the shoreline; a city and resources that have been devoted to with a wide variety of parks and open the creation of this system by the City of spaces, connected so that they are, in sum, Tacoma, the Foss Waterway Development one big park; a city where citizens gain a Authority, Metro Parks and the Port of first‐hand appreciation for active marine Tacoma, much of the public shoreline industries and international trade; a city remains inaccessible to our citizens – cutoff known for the environmental health of its shorelines. Imagine a city that is an attractive destination for cyclists and hikers from all over the region. 1 PUBLIC ACCESS ALTERNATIVES PLAN City of Tacoma CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION Recognizing the importance of past rather as places for people to go and enjoy waterfront planning efforts, the sections the water. Decaying urban waterfronts are below memorialize and incorporate herein being revitalized to provide recreational the vision articulated in these community opportunities for city dwellers. They are documents, including the Shoreline Trails being transformed into active, vital areas Plan, Dome to Defiance Study, Ruston Way with new commercial and recreational Plan and Thea Foss Waterway Design and developments that open up the waterfront Development Plan. to people. Shoreline Trails Plan ‐ 1989 The Ruston Way shoreline is easily reached making it a prime area for revitalization. The Shoreline Trails Plan envisions an urban Once a thriving industrial district, changing pedestrian trail system lying within the technological and economic considerations shoreline districts, steep slopes and left the area virtually abandoned. Slowly, it gulches, from the Thea Foss Waterway is being rebuilt as private developers and north to Ruston Way, through Point public officials alike take advantage of its Defiance Park and south along the western magnificent setting, panoramic views, shores of Tacoma. wooded slopes and close proximity to neighborhoods. The Ruston Way shoreline The plan proposes a coordinated trail has the potential to become a unique urban system that will tie individual trail segments waterfront attraction and people‐oriented together into a unified, urban pedestrian area. network. The trail system will provide an alternative means of travel to and from The need for close‐in urban recreation shoreline areas and neighborhoods. The areas is increasingly important as energy trail segments will be linked together by supplies diminish and the cost of traveling connecting trails and, where this is not to more distant parks soars. Many people possible, by using nearby streets and drive several hours to enjoy water‐oriented sidewalks. The trail system is composed of a recreation because no or limited corridor trail, access trails, trailheads, trail opportunities are available close to home access points, viewpoints, shoreline access even though the city is located near the points and destination locations. waterfront. Ruston Way Plan ‐ 1981 The Ruston Way waterfront of Tacoma is a public resource that can satisfy the water‐ The waterfront areas of cities across the oriented recreational needs of citizens and nation are again being recognized as valued improve the livability of the city. The public resources. But this time not for their developments proposed in this plan for the potential for industrial development but Ruston Way shoreline area will enhance the 2 PUBLIC ACCESS ALTERNATIVES PLAN City of Tacoma CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION natural areas, strengthen the historical the economic vitality needed to turn Thea significance, provide optimum public access Foss Waterway into a showcase for Tacoma. to the water, maintain views and create The Waterway visually and physically opportunities for outdoor recreation and connects surrounding districts. The social interaction. Waterway’s historic past and working Dome to Defiance Study ‐ 1988 waterfront, combined with new cultural, recreational, residential, office and retail We would have a shoreside people‐place 5 uses, will create a lively, urban ½ miles long. No other waterfront in the environment. A linear waterfront park will Northwest would be as spectacular. This link together a variety of attractive, ground would not be all parks or all commercial level public activities and uses accessible to development. The shoreside people‐place all of Tacoma’s citizens and to the region. would be a unique blend of mixed uses Environmental cleanup and protection including industrial, commercial, residential measures are being integrated into and recreational. It would include both redevelopment, creating a safe, healthy, public and private areas. The identifying and sustainable environment. characteristic of