Tacoma Old City Hall: City Starts Negotiating With Developer

TACOMA, WA – Old City Hall is just a bit closer to getting revitalized. The city announced Tuesday that they've started negotiating with Surge Tacoma to tackle the redevelopment.

The company was picked out of five that had responded to the city's request for proposals to revitalize the building at 625 South Commerce Street in downtown Tacoma.

The city believes that they could have agreements in place by next January. Get all the latest information on what's happening in your community by signing up for Patch's newsletters and breaking news alerts.

"Surge Tacoma submitted a compelling proposal to reactivate the historic Old City Hall by infusing the building with uses that will appeal to our entire community — residents, entrepreneurs and visitors," Mayor Victoria Woodards said.

Surge Tacoma's proposal includes three restaurants – two on the rooftop and one in the basement – as well as a bar on Pacific Avenue. There would be 40 micro apartments on the fifth floor that would be a mix of market rate and affordable housing, an event space in the clock tower, 20,000 square feet of office space and co-working space on the third and fourth floors, and 20,000 square feet of retail on the first and second floors.

"The redevelopment proposal aligns with the building’s storied history as a welcoming public place. It has the potential to be an economic catalyst while providing affordable housing that helps ensure those who work in Tacoma can continue to live here as well," Woodards said.

Photo via City of Tacoma.