October 2, 2003
UW Tacoma answering need for parking spaces, housing
The Board of Regents has approved UW Tacoma’s plans to build a $17.1 million housing and parking complex, funded mostly through private investment.
The building, scheduled to open in winter of 2006, will include 310 parking spaces, which meets a great need on the small urban campus in downtown Tacoma. In addition, the complex will include 120 apartments, providing a housing option for students on what has been largely a commuter campus for students in the south Puget Sound.
“As we develop more unique programs, we’ll see more students wanting to move to campus,” says Sandy Boyle, UWT vice chancellor for finance and administration. “Building now helps ensure that when demand becomes high for student housing, we will have reasonably priced options available.”
Meanwhile, the project will continue fueling the dramatic economic revitalization taking place around the campus in Tacoma. A new light-rail service has helped feed the growth in the area and already new museums, high-end restaurants, boutique retail and fast-food franchises are popping up around the campus. Construction projects under way include a major convention center, hotel and condo complexes, the LeMay Car Museum and more. Housing, officials hope, will help draw people into the community to support amenities that will also benefit students.
“Housing will add more of a university ambiance to campus,” Boyle says. “The original intent for UW Tacoma included providing an economic development benefit to the region, which is something the campus is widely credited with doing. The results here have been impressive.”
Following a request for proposals, the University negotiated with Lorig Associates of Seattle to build a parking garage with a mix of one- and two-bedroom and studio apartments on the upper floors. Lorig will pay for and operate the apartments, and the University will fund the parking garage with $3 million provided for Phase 2 of campus construction, a $1 million low-interest loan from the City of Tacoma and $3.1 million in bank financing. The loans will be repaid with parking revenue.
Students, faculty and staff will have first priority in renting the apartments, but planners expect many of the first tenants will be from the community.
UWT students and employees will also appreciate the additional parking in the busy downtown core. Currently, staff, faculty and students pay to park in one of five surface lots or search for parking on nearby streets.
Construction is set to begin in fall of 2004.
