South
Pierce County Chamber of Commerce
Members Drive,
Shape Pacific Ave. Redevelopment
Chamber members
are continuing to take a lead role in rebuilding of Pacific
Avenue Corridor, an effort that will impact commercial properties
and the Parkland-Spanaway community for decades to come.
In 2002,
the Chamber formed the Pacific Avenue Redevelopment Task Force,
supported by the Pierce County Council, to “implement
a redevelopment strategy that can mobilize local and regional
resources to build an enhanced tax base.” The design of
the Pacific Avenue road improvement project is critical to this
strategy.
The original
Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) design,
although vastly improving the safety of the highway, is the
State’s typical rural highway design with no curb and
gutter and wide open grass-lined drainage swales (inclined to
run to weeds) that will edge new sidewalks. The task force has
identified additional design features that will enhance the
corridor, create a sense of place, and encourage new private
investment in the corridor. These enhancements include:
·
Curb and gutter
·
Street trees
·
Natural, draught-resistant vegetation planted in the bioswales
·
Temporary irrigation
·
Pedestrian lighting
WSDOT supports
these enhancements and has agreed to delay the project until
2005 to give time to identify funds to cover the additional
cost. To that end, Pierce County has pledged $500,000 and Pierce
Transit is expected to contribute funding; the County is pursuing
a grant with the Transportation Improvement Board (TIB) for
the balance.
The TIB grant
process is a competitive one, considering projects from the
entire state, and only the highest-ranking projects receive
funding. Strong support of elected leaders will significantly
help the application, but investment in this project by the
private sector will add valuable points to the ranking. Task
force participants such as Norm LeMay of LeMay Enterprises have
helped assemble a core group of 25 property and business owners
that have already pledged approximately $75,000.
One of the
significant problems for redevelopment of the corridor is that
1031 of the 1374 parcels on Pacific Ave. are smaller than 0.75
acre—a development pattern unparalleled elsewhere in Pierce
County. Platted in the early 1900s and largely developed in
the 1940s and 1950s, the Pacific Ave. Corridor south of SR-512
suffered significant decline in the latter decades of the past
century. The Pacific Ave. Redevelopment Task Force hopes to
reverse this long-term trend and use the community’s assets—such
as continued residential growth and proximity to Tacoma—to
attract new private investment.
For more
information about the Pacific Avenue Redevelopment Task Force,
contact Paul Ellis at the Chamber.
The Chamber wants to enlist your help
in supporting the Cross-Base Highway! Please consider participating
in one or more of these upcoming events:
South
County Connections (monthly business forum)
12 Noon - 1:30 p.m.
Regency Room, University Center, Pacific Lutheran University
$10.00 per person; reservations appreciated!
RSVP to Susie, 253-627-2175 or Susie.wagner@tacomachamber.org
Final
Environmental Impact Statement
The Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the Cross-Base
Highway, a proposed new six-mile road connecting SR-7 to I-5,
is now available for review by members of the public. The FEIS
updates the Draft EIS issued in May 1998 and a supplement issued
in 2002. The FEIS is a major milestone in what has so far been
a 17-year effort to alleviate steadily worsening traffic congestion
in Parkland, Spanaway, Frederickson and South Hill.
The
document can be downloaded from the Pierce County website at http://www.co.pierce.wa.us/pc/services/transpo/engincorr.htm.
The
Cross-Base Highway was first proposed by the Chamber in 1986 as
a solution to a variety of economic and community challenges facing
the unincorporated areas south of SR-512:
Frederickson,
Parkland, South Hill and Spanaway already boast a population nearly
three-quarters the size of the city of Tacoma, and remain the
fastest-growing areas in Pierce County;
Many
vehicle trips are diverted miles to the north in order to go west
or south;
The
2,800 acres available for development at Frederickson--the largest
block of industrial land in the entire Puget Sound region-suffer
from inadequate access to I-5.
Contact
Paul Ellis at the Chamber, 253.627.2175 or paul.ellis@tacomachamber.org
Progress
on the Cross-Base Highway
What
is the Cross-Base Highway?
The Cross-Base Highway will provide a significant east-west link
between I-5 and south Pierce County. This proposed six-mile route,
connecting SR-7 to I-5, will help to alleviate steadily worsening
traffic congestion in Parkland, Spanaway, Frederickson and Lakewood.
The Cross-Base Highway is essential to the economic development
future of Pierce County and will provide critical relief for heavily
clogged
arterials, including Canyon Road and Pacific Avenue. By connecting
across McChord Air Force Base and Fort Lewis, this direct “short
cut”
will serve as a much needed alternative to the over-burdened SR-512.
The three lead agencies for the project include the Federal Highway
Administration, Washington State Department of Transportation
and
Pierce County.
Why is Pierce County proposing this project?
The Cross-Base Highway was first proposed by the Tacoma-Pierce
County Chamber in 1986 as a solution to economic and community
challenges. Without a Cross-Base Highway, most car trips are diverted
miles to the north in order to go west or south. The unincorporated
areas south of SR-512 (Frederickson, Parkland, South Hill and
Spanaway) already boast a population nearly three-quarters the
size of the city of Tacoma, and remain the fastest-growing areas
in Pierce County. The 2,800 acres available for development at
Frederickson comprises the largest block of industrial land in
the entire Puget Sound region, but the highest and best use of
this employment hub is hampered by the lack of adequate I-5 access.
Does the military support this highway across their
property?
Both Fort Lewis and McChord Air Force Base have signed letters
of intent
supporting the development of the Cross-Base Highway and continue
to
be involved in planning for the project. Every effort has been
made by the lead agencies to make the project meet security and
access needs for military operations now and in the foreseeable
future. The project will prohibit access for civilians where the
current Perimeter Road does not.
How much will this new highway cost?
The current cost estimate for the Cross-Base Highway is $120 million.
There may be additional expenses related to offsite mitigation
for
wildlife and construction where the highway connects with I-5.
When compared to other state highway projects, however, the costs
of
acquiring right-of-way will be comparatively less since the vast
majority of the route is on open military property.
What has been done to address environmental issues?
Environmental groups have raised concerns about impacts to the
squirrel population resulting from construction of this project.
Extensive studies have determined that the squirrel population
in the McChord habitat is
not genetically distinct from squirrels throughout the Western
United States, and Pierce County is in the process of securing
a large block of land for replacement as mitigation. The project
has weathered unprecedented environmental scrutiny.
How will the Cross-Base Highway enhance traffic
safety?
The project is expected to reduce traffic congestion on SR-512
between I-5 and Pacific Avenue (SR-7), as well as Spanaway Loop
Road and Canyon Road. Faster and more direct emergency access
to mid-county and to medical facilities such as the Madigan Army
Hospital will improve public safety. While the Cross-Base Highway
will bring greater volumes to the American Lake Gardens community,
it will move them along a roadway designed to carry the load.
Why build another highway rather than adopting travel alternatives?
Planning for future transportation needs, including the Cross-Base
Highway, assumes a greater use of alternatives such as carpooling
and transit. This project will facilitate more direct transit
routing and increase transit service effectiveness, helping to
reduce singleoccupancy
vehicle use and further reduce congestion.
How does the local community feel about this project?
A broad community coalition has worked together for several years
to guide this project forward. Supporters of this project include
the
following groups and individuals:
• Harold A. Allen Company
• Associated General Contractors of Washington
• The Boeing Company
• Roger Bush, WA House of Representatives
• Tom Campbell, WA House of Representatives
• Sarah Casada, WA House of Representatives
• Central Pierce Fire & Rescue
• Norm Dicks, U.S. Congress
• Jennifer Dunn, U.S. Congress
• The Chamber for Eastern Pierce County
• Economic Development Board for
Tacoma-Pierce County
• Elmhurst Mutual Power & Light
• Erickson-McGovern Architects
• Frederickson-Clover Creek
Community Council
• Frederickson Community Planning Board
• Calvin Goings, Pierce County Council
• Graham Business Association
• International Union of Operating Engineers - Local 612
• James Hardie Building Products, Inc.
• Jim Kastama, WA State Senate
• Marianne Krizek, Private Citizen
• Laborer’s International Union of North America -
Local 252
• John Ladenburg, Pierce County Executive
• Lakewood Area Chamber of Commerce
• LeMay Enterprises, Inc.
• Master Builders Association of Pierce County
• Dave Morell, WA House of Representatives
• Mountain Mist Bottling
• Port of Tacoma
• Marilyn Rasmussen, WA State Senate
• Jan Shabro, Pierce County Council
• Adam Smith, U.S. Congress
• Spanaway Community Action Network (SCAN)
• Spanaway Loop/S. 174th St. Neighborhood Ass’n.
• Tacoma-Pierce County Association of Realtors
• Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber
• Toray Composites (America), Inc.
• Kevin Wimsett, Pierce County Council
Next steps and key dates
The lead agencies will release the Supplemental Environmental
Impact Study (SEIS) in mid - March. A 45-day comment period, with
opportunities for public comment, will follow. Mitigation for
impacts to Interstate 5 has been developed in a manner acceptable
to the City
of Lakewood, and the resulting Added Access Report should be forthcoming
very soon. The lead agencies hope to release the Final
Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) in August. Approximately
60 days later, the agencies expect the formal Record of Decision
(ROD) will be announced, thus completing the review process. Subsequent
steps will include pursuing corridor establishment and an agreement
with the
Department of Defense for right-of-way access.
For more information, contact:
Paul A. Ellis
Director for Metropolitan
Development
950 Pacific Ave., Suite 300
Tacoma, WA 98402
(253) 627-2175
(253) 597-7305 fax
paul.ellis@tacomachamber.org
www.tacomachamber.org
Providing “Power through Connections”
From
the Parkland-Spanaway POST
June
28, 2002
Without
a Cross-Base Highway, most
vehicle trips are diverted miles to the
north in order to go west or south
Co-lead
agencies for the Cross-Base Highway project have recently released
the long-awaited Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS).
The SEIS is another milestone in what has so far been a 16-year
effort to alleviate steadily worsening traffic congestion in Parkland,
Spanaway, Frederickson and South Hill. The Cross-Base Highway,
a proposed new six-mile road connecting SR-7 to I-5 across
McChord Air Force Base and Fort Lewis, was first proposed by the
Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber in 1986 as a solution to economic
and
community challenges. The project enjoys widespread support from
community groups and businesses alike, and from elected officials
at the local, state and federal levels. Without a Cross-Base Highway,
most vehicle trips are diverted miles to the north in order to
go west or south. The unincorporated areas south of SR-512 (Frederickson,
Parkland, South Hill and Spanaway) already boast a population
nearly three-quarters the size of the city of Tacoma, and remain
the fastest-growing areas in Pierce County. The 2,800 acres available
for development at Frederickson comprises the largest block of
industrial land in the entire Puget Sound region, but the highest
and
best use of this employment hub is hampered by in adequate access
to I-5. The Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for this
project was published in May 1998. Work to complete the Final
Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) followed including coordination
with the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife, U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service, and
Washington State Department of Natural Resources to develop an
acceptable mitigation plan. Update of the “Added Access Report”
required by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for changes
to access conditions on I-5, issues were raised by FHWA regarding
project traffic impacts on I-5 that necessitated completion of
a Supplemental
Draft Environmental Impact Statement (SDEIS). The SDEIS updates
the Draft EIS issued in May 1998 by analyzing changes at the western
end of the project to maintain a satisfactory level of service
on I-5, and providing current information where conditions, applicable
policies, or regulations have changed. The SDEIS is available
in a number of formats
including hard copy, CD, and electronically from the Pierce County
web site: http://www.co.pierce.wa.us/pc/services/transpo/engincorr.htm
South
Pierce County Chamber of Commerce
For
information about the Pierce County Council, please visit the
Pierce County web site:
http://www.co.pierce.wa.us/pc/abtus/ourorg/council/default.htm.
Paul
A. Ellis
Director for Metropolitan Development
950 Pacific Ave., Suite 300
Tacoma, WA 98402
(253) 627-2175
(253) 597-7305 fax
paul.ellis@tacomachamber.org
www.tacomachamber.org
Providing "Power through Connections" since 1884
SUPPORTING
BETTER TRANSPORTATION
LINKS BETWEEN I NTERSTATE 5 AND SPANAWAY
T H E CR
O S S- BA S
E CONNECTION
When
Push Comes to Shove…
"We've exhausted all the easy,
low cost alternatives" for resolving increased Interstate
5 traffic between SR-512 and Thorne Lane, Parametrix consultant
John Perlic told South County businesspeople at a forum earlier
this month. As announced in the December 8 edition of this publication,
the Federal Highway Administration (FHwA), Washington State Department
of Transportation (WSDOT), and Pierce County have decided to hold
up release for the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS)
for an as yet undetermined amount of time because of concerns
over added access requirements. Since mid-1998, federal rules
have required demonstrating that freeway/interchange operations
with new projects cannot be worse than those same operations without
the traffic from the new projects. What this means is that proponents
of a new highway, such as Cross-Base, must mitigate impacts of
their proposed project upon the pre-existing road network. Representatives
from Pierce County, FHwA, WSDOT, City of Lakewood, McChord AFB,
and the consultant will meet next month to brainstorm "two
or three alternatives that appear feasible and that can be evaluated
for costs, environmental impacts, and time required to implement,"
reported Pat Baughman, lead staff for the county to members of
the Cross Base Steering Committee. "After the alternatives
have been evaluated, we'll present the results to the new
Pierce County Executive, John Ladenburg, for direction as to how
Pierce County should proceed." Ladenburg has repeatedly expressed
his determination to see the project move ahead, but his options
are limited. Three options are already under consideration: ·
Add ramp meters on southbound Interstate 5 on-ramps;
· Add a southbound auxiliary lane squeezed between the Oakbrook
Golf Course, McChord housing, and Sound Transit tracks; · Add
a local access road between the Gravelly Lake Drive and Thorne
Lane interchanges.
In addition to greater expense, the last two options would require
an additional environmental review process.
This publication is
distributed electronically to member firms
and others in the local community to be
added to or removed from the
distribution list , please contact Paul Ellis,
(253) 627- 2175 or
paul.ellis@tacomachamber.org