Friday, December 4, 2009

Alternative Design Concept and Cost Estimates

From: Tom Warren, PE, Warren Engineers, PLLC

Regarding: Design and Cost Analysis for Proposed Elevated Structure Concept for Sound Transit Rail

SUMMARY
At the request of the DDDG, we have developed a preliminary alternative design concept for the Sound Transit Sounder Commuter Rail extension through the Dome District. The elevated structure (bridge) is based on current state-of-the-art technology used by the railroads. Currently, the alternative has been called “post and beam”, but is more accurately termed “bridge” or “flyover” in standard railroad nomenclature. The following photograph of the Kansas City Flyover (1) provides a visual representation of the basic bridge structure.



For our analysis, we assumed a total length of 1450’, consisting of 1350’ of bridge structure with supports at 32’ average intervals, and a separate bridge of 100’ span over Pacific Avenue. Our cost estimate for the 1350’ section is $13,683,000 ($10,140 per foot) and $4,500,000 for the Pacific Avenue Bridge for a total cost of $18,183,000 for the structures. This estimate is for the structures only, and does not consider design, permitting, utility relocation and installation, road crossing at grade work, traffic control, surveying, excavation of Pacific Avenue, nor inspection.

DESIGN CONCEPT
The basic design is the same as that used by Burlington Northern (BNSF) and Union Pacific (UP) railroads to build elevated structures or bridges around the continental United States. BNSF and UP have jointly developed these design standards. Canadian National uses the same methodology in Canada.


Here’s a link to the full report, cost estimates, pictures and drawings:
Full Report on Design and Cost Analysis
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Sound Transit Bid Process
Alternative Design Bid Wording Request

December 3, 2009
The Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
City of Tacoma
747 Market Street
Tacoma, WA 98402-3766

Re: Alternative Design-Build Proposals
Sounder Train Extension, East C Street to South C Street (Part of D to M Extension)

Dear Mayor and City Councilmembers:

The Sounder Train Extension west from Freighthouse Square has been the focus of many discussions the past few years regarding route, budget, and design issues. The central point of contention has boiled down to a “berm” solution verses a “post and beam” solution from East C Street to South C Street. Granted some compromises have been incorporated in the “berm alternative”, however, the Dome District Association, along with many supporters from throughout the City, believes there may be a solution that will solve the group’s concerns while accomplishing the goals of the City and Sound Transit.

The requested process is an approach that is used extensively by the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) in many of their construction projects. This process would require:

1. adding the words “alternative design-build proposals will be accepted” to the bid specifications.

2. a clear delineation of the project criteria for decision making.

3. a modification to the bid evaluation process to include a step to assess the responsiveness to the project criteria of design-build proposals before the actual cost bid proposals are opened. (WSDOT has a simple application for this step.)

This proposal would:

1. not require a re-design by the Sound Transit project design team.

2. not extend the bidding and construction schedule.

3. likely save millions of dollars in construction cost.

4. maintain all of the design criteria of the project including rail alignment, grade, and connections.

5. give the opportunity for more competitive bid proposals for the bid package bids as well as any design-build proposals.

This approach may well give our City an acceptable solution for all parties while saving dollars and time for the project.

Please consider this approach and request Sound Transit to incorporate it into the bidding specifications.

Thank you.

Sincerely,


Keith Stone
President, Dome District Association
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Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Alternative Design Process
Successful with Cheney Stadium

Here's an example of a success story that happened because Alternative Design was added to the bidding process. The approach gave our City an acceptable solution for all parties while saving dollars and time on a major project.

In the fall of 1959 the Cheney Stadium project was over budget and the goal of completing the project by the spring of 1960 in doubt. The City and County went out to re-bid of the over-budget wood structure with only the added “alternative proposals will be accepted.” Without any re-design required by the City and County, the bids received for an alternative precast concrete solution made the project possible within the budget available and the baseball stadium was completed for opening day that Spring. If the “alternative design-build proposal” had not been incorporated, the stadium would not have been completed within budget or on time and the possibility that Triple A baseball may never have arrived in Tacoma a distinct possibility.

Please consider this approach and request Sound Transit to incorporate it into the bidding specifications.
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Friday, November 20, 2009

Sound Transit Berm in Tacoma
Still A Bad Idea

Here's a short recap of the Berm Battle with Sound Transit. Concerned citizens in Tacoma joined forces and worked together really hard to convince Sound Transit and the City Council of Tacoma that a large earth berm between East C and Sound C Streets was not an appropriate rail design for Tacoma and the Dome District.

We did not convince Sound Transit and the City Council fully, but some of our concerns were addressed and the project is better because of our efforts. If you were involved trying to stop the berm, thank you for your work in trying to make Tacoma a better place to live.

Here's what we gained in our efforts:

1) The B Street Ravine was saved from being filled with dirt and gone forever.

2) Sound Transit has agreed to work with Cascade Land Conservancy and the Green Tacoma Partnership to enhance the ravine with Native Plants.

3) The berm will be landscaped and maintained, Sound Transit and the City of Tacoma will come up with a plan for this. Note: we still need to make sure there is a long term agreement for maintenance and that it is not cut from future budgets. Sound Transit should create a trust and set aside money for at least twenty years of maintenance, Tacoma should not have to pay, but they can oversea the maintenance.

4) Cooperation and support from Community Councils, Environmental Groups, businesses and individuals working together for the common cause of making Tacoma better.

The berm is still planned but they have not sent it out to bid yet. There is also a $40 million dollar bridge planned over Pacific Avenue. Why should so much of our tax dollars be when it can be done for less.

Several of the Post and Beam Supporters are continuing their efforts to get this project done right. If you are interested in getting or staying involved please send an email to doitrighttacoma@gmail.com and we'll add you to the communication mailing list.

Tacoma is a wonderful city, thanks for helping to make it better!
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Monday, October 19, 2009

Breaking News in Tacoma
Post and Beam Construction will save Millions

Letter sent this afternoon to members of the Tacoma City Council.

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To all Honorable persons,

The Dome District and a lot of volunteer citizens have been working to help Sound Transit come up with a method for the best looking, cost efficient, least view blockage and gain the best future economics.

In doing this we have four of the best design engineering firms in Washington and the USA collaborating. Two of the firms primarily work on Railroad systems around the country.

Two main estimating firms are Tacoma's Concrete Technology and McDowell N. W. Piling.

We have used Sound Transits alignment, grade and Geo technical data.

Contrary to some opinions, we have an excellent team.

I am at this time relaying to you a cost figure for the Post and Beam design we have come up with. This estimated figure is a little high but I wanted to get you this before the 20th Council meeting. We will have a lower written estimate later this week.

The estimated figure including construction costs, material costs, dirt removal, profit and contingency is $21,120,000.00 million dollars.

This is about half the cost of the Pacific Avenue bridge only. We feel Post and beam could save Sound Transit $30,000,000.00 million dollars of our tax money to use elsewhere.

We want to thank you for your time reading this and we hope you will all pospone your vote on these agreements for two weeks until we get this sorted out.

Thank you,

Keith Stone
President Dome District Development Group

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The City Council should not be voting on any Sound Transit Agreements until they have looked closely the new cost estimate. This project should not be costing so much money and Sound Transit's current design is not appropriate for Tacoma.

Sound Transit says the project will loose funding already in place, however the money saved by lowering the project costs will offset any lost grants or funding. Also, our elected officials will work hard to save any funding that might be lost due to project corrections.

The Post and Beam option being presented to the City Council is already designed and simple to build. Any project delays will be offset because it will be easier and quicker to build using the Post and Beam plan.
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Reasons Why Post and Beam Construction is Better

Here are a few reasons why concerned citizens want Post and Beam Elevated Construction for the new Sounder rail line in Tacoma.

1. A large berm in the middle of the Dome District will create a potential danger zone by reducing visibility through the area. The berm will create a large blind spot and make it difficult to see up the 705 corridor and green belt. As of the current Sound Transit drawing, there is a 300 foot long wall that's 10' to 20' high, starting just West of the "B" Street Ravine and continuing to East "A" Street This creates a huge blind spot right in the middle of a promising mixed-use district.

2. Berms separate and divide communities from one another.

3. Loss of parking spaces, 107 will be lost if the track is bermed. Will have to build additional parking to replace the spaces lost, and the lots could easily end up on land better used for housing or business sites.

4. Berm width makes any available lots too small to build on and since the tracks are not self-supporting no developer will build near the tracks with the chance of subsidence.

5. The berms take too much land off the tax rolls, and it's land that someday could produce tax revenue for the city if it were developed.

6. The Dome District should be the Transit Oriented District for Tacoma. It is poised for density, helping to relieve the pressure on Tacoma's older single-family Neighborhoods. Post and Beam would allow development to occur along the tracks, in a sense encapsulating them with buildings of offices, entertainment, parking and housing.

7. Downtown will continue south on Pacific Ave. and now that the Dome District is part of the Downtown, that development should turn and continue to the transit hub in the District. Berming would stop this development at the intersection of East 25th Street. Earthen embankments are not part of a business and retail renaissance.

8. Berms are for rural areas, not urban areas. For successful pedestrian use of street level businesses, retail and entertainment, it must be continuous. Even a half block break can stop the success of street level retail, as they have found on Pacific Ave. at the huge parking garages.

9. Sound Transit has stated, the berm will be planted with grass. Look at any of Tacoma's existing berms and you'll see they are not maintained, they are overgrown and full of invasive plants.

10. The cost of the Post and Beam is very similar to the berm and there are more unforeseen costs (unknown utilities, unknown soil conditions...) in berming. Current estimate is that it costs less for Post and Beam construction.
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Thursday, October 8, 2009

Another TNT Front Page Story about Citizens
Requesting Post and Beam Design

TNT article about the Tacoma City Council meeting held Tuesday evening October 6th. The meeting was very well attended with approximately 27 people speaking to the council during the public comments section of the meeting. All but three were in favor of Post and Beam for the design of the new Sound Transit rail line in the Dome District.

Here's the link to the article, leave comments at the end.
http://www.thenewstribune.com/1210/story/907346.html

The pole featured on The News Tribune shows votes of more than 80% in favor of Post and Beam construction.

Supporters of Post and Beam met this morning to discuss our next steps. We're working on a plan to save millions of dollars and get the train to Lakewood faster than Sound Transits current plans. If you're a known supporter and want to help send an email to doitrighttacoma@gmail.com for more information, please include your telephone number. Also, you can attend next weeks City Council meeting hear about our plans.
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Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Important City Council Meeting
Attend the Meeting Tonight

Tonight, Tuesday evening, October 6th, there's a very important Tacoma City Council meeting. It's the final reading of Ordinance No. 27833. Authorizing the execution of a Right of Use Agreement with Sound Transit regarding the area located from East D Street to South M Street.

Next week, the council will be voting to accept or reject the ordinance, and there's still time for the city council amendments to the agreement protecting our future.

There are several very questionable points in the agreement, that give Sound Transit rights to do what they want, not what Tacoma wants. You can hear the agreement read at tonight's city council meeting. Sorry that we don't have a copy to post.

Here’s a link to the Full Agenda Packet for tonight’s meeting:
http://cms.cityoftacoma.org/cityclerk/Files/CityCouncil/Agendas/2009-FullAgenda/Full20091006.pdf
Search for the PDF for Ordinance 27833.

Also, at tonight's meeting citizens can speak regarding the ordinance.

The ordinance relates to a major city wide issue that's supported by a large number of people, but not by the City Council. Citizens need to ask and encourage the City Council to do what is best for Tacoma, citizens and business owners, not what’s best for Sound Transit. Whether you're against the berm and the Sound Transit project or for it, it's critical that you attend tonight's meeting. Come to the meeting tonight and sign up to speak. Let the City Council know where you stand and your opinions, they need to hear from citizens.

The meeting starts at 5:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, location is 747 Market Street in downtown Tacoma.
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Sunday, October 4, 2009

Sound Transit and Tacoma Tracks
In the news again!

The News Tribune, Sunday Edition features a good article concerning the Sound Transit project with information about the berm and Post and Beam.

It's available online and you can leave comments: http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/904023.html


There's an important informational forum this Monday, featuring the berm verses post and beam. The local chapter of the American Institute of Architects and the Dome District, will be presenting a computer generated graphics presentation showing both design plans and how they will likely look.

You'll be able to ask questions and look at any spot along the train track alignment in both versions. This is an important show and tell, and a chance to encourage the city to listen to citizens and business owners.

The Forum will be Monday, October 5th, 5:00 p.m. at the Best Western Tacoma Dome Hotel. The address is: 2611 East E Street, Tacoma. Street parking is abundant. Please arrive early for the presentation and bring along friends.

Also, on Tuesday evening, October 6th, there's an important Tacoma City Council meeting. It's the final reading of Ordinance No. 27833. Authorizing the execution of a Right of Use Agreement with Sound Transit regarding the area located from East D Street to South M Street. The meeting starts at 5:00 p.m. location is 747 Market Street.
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Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Informational Forum
Post and Beam vs Berm

There will be an informational forum showing on projector screens the live difference of the berm verses post and beam. You may ask to look at any spot along the train alignment.

Both construction methods will be featured and you'll be able to see what all the concern is about.

The Forum will be held October 5th, 5:00 p.m. at the Best Western Tacoma Dome Hotel. The address is: 2611 East E Street, Tacoma, Washington, 98421. Ample street parking is available in the area at that time of the day.

Please arrive early for a good seat and bring your friends.
There will be different refreshments and cookies served.
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Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Peter O'Callahan TNT News Article
Environment and Public Works Meeting Notice

Sound Transit and Post and Beam Supporters are in the news again. Blog article written by Patrick O'Callahan, published in yesterday's Tacoma News Tribune.

http://blog.thenewstribune.com/opinion/2009/09/05/the-battle-of-the-berm/#more-103

City Manager Eric Anderson, gives some insight into the project, but unfortunately his statement about the height is incorrect. The track needs to be at a specific grade so both options will be the same height.

You can leave comments when reading the article online.

Concerned Citizens are working on a plan to lower the costs of the project, as well as create jobs for a local Tacoma company. We'll post information as it becomes available. We're also looking for a lawyer to provide us with some concerned citizen support.

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Environment and Public Works Committee, is meeting tonight at City Hall. Meeting Time/Frequency: 4:30 pm to 6:00 pm on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month. The link below has additional info and the agenda. Rumor has it that some information about Sound Transit plans will be presented. It's a good meeting to attend if you have time.

http://www.cityoftacoma.org/Page.aspx?cid=11099

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Sound Transit is apparently looking at three options for the B Street Ravine. However, they are not releasing their ideas or plans at this time. This makes it difficult to provide them with feedback and input on the plans.

Concerned citizens are willing to work with Sound Transit and the Tacoma City Council to help this project along.

We are not interested in slowing the project or having it cost millions more. We just want it done correctly and in a way that is best for the future of Tacoma and the Dome District.
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Thursday, August 27, 2009

HOW TO HELP MAKE A CHANGE
AND SUPPORT DO IT RIGHT TACOMA

1) Talk to your neighbors and friends about the Sound Transit
plans and the issues related to the berm vs. Post & Beam.

2) If you’re a member of a group talk to them about this issue at
your next meeting, and try to get the group to support our cause.
We’ve actively collecting letters of support from groups.

3) Sign the Online Petition supporting the Anti-Berm and have
friends sign: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/petition/844347001
Besides the online version we’ve collected over 400 signatures.

4) Send letters or email to the TNT Editors, Tacoma City Council, and Chamber of Commerce, let them know how you feel about the project and other issures affecting you.

5) Take a self guided tour to East 25th and Portland Avenue, and see first hand what current rail line berms look like in Tacoma. Another area is under the I-705 where main berm is planned.

6) Attend the City Council meeting on the first Tuesday of each month. You can sign up and talk about issues relating to and affecting you. The next meeting is September 1st

8) Join us on Facebook and invite your Facebook Friends:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Do-It-Right-Tacoma/115983747610?ref=mf

7) Keep current by reading our Do It Right Tacoma.
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Monday, August 24, 2009

Sound Transit Plans - The Wall Under 705

Here's what Sound Transit is currently planning to do under the 705 bridge in the Dome District of Tacoma. Click each picture to see in a larger size, click back button to return to article. The last drawing is what it might look like if Post and Beam elevated construction and design is used.


Picture showing the area under 705.




Drawing of the 375' retaining wall Sound Transit is planning to build.
Wall is to keep the berm dirt off of the 705 Freeway bridge structure. Notice how the berm/wall blocks the view from 25th, to the right, to the track-to-the-mountain and up the ravine. The wall exacerbates the berm problems, by creating a hiding place and wall for grafitti.




Sound Transit drawing on their plans.




Drawing showing Post and Beam construction design. Notice how the view from 25th, to the right under the tracks, is maintained. as well as the access to the two stairways leading to 26th and the Community Health Bldg. This area will never be built on, so we as a community need to be able keep an eye on it.


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Learn more about this important project on Wednesday, August 26th. We're having an informational meeting located 402 East 26th Street, at 5:00 p.m. This an important meeting to attend because we want a large gathering to show public support and that concerned citizens care about what's being build in Tacoma. I hope that you will attend this meeting. The meeting will be short and you'll still have time to either other events on the same evening.

Did you see this weeks Tacoma Weekly? Look at the back page of the first section, for our adv. Also The News Tribune had several articles that last week, and they are worth reading.
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Monday, August 17, 2009

Pictures of Tacoma Rail Line Berms

Here's a look at some rail line berms, currently in Tacoma. These pictures were taken last week and feature tracks that Sound Transit uses for the Sounder. The berms are located near Portland Avenue at East 25th Street.

What do you think? Do you want more berms like these in Tacoma? Is this what our city should look like? Berms are not good in an Urban environment, and they almost always look bad no matter what city they're in.

These berms featured in the pictures are property that is maintained by Tacoma Rail. Neither Sound Transit nor City of Tacoma General Gov't have maintenance responsibility for them.

Click on the picture to see a larger image, then click your browser back button to return to article.































In addition to looking bad, berms divide communities. You cannot see through them and this can create safety issues for the Police and Fire Departments. There are lots of reasons why they are bad for Tacoma, especially in a business district like the Dome District.

Join us at 5:00 on Wednesday, August 26th, at 402 East 26th Street, Tacoma, 98421 for an important information meeting and tour of the area. Let's show the news media, our City Council and Sound Transit that we want our new rail line done correctly and in a way that is best for Tacoma.

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Twenty Reasons Post and Beam
Is a Better Solution for Tacoma Tracks

Reasons Why Post and Beam is a Better Solution for the Sounder rail tracks in Tacoma and through the Dome District.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CONCERNS

1. Berm width makes any available lots too small to build on and since the tracks are not self-supporting no developer will build near the tracks with the chance of subsidence.

2. The berms take too much land off the tax rolls, and it's land that someday could produce tax revenue for the city if it were developed.

3. 87 parking spaces will be lost if the track is bermed. Will have to build additional parking to replace the spaces lost, and the lots could easily end up on land better used for housing or business sites.

4. The cost of the Post and Beam is very similar to the berm and there are more unforeseen costs (unknown utilities, unknown soil conditions...) in berming. Current estimate is ½ to 1 million more for Post and Beam construction.


URBAN TRANSIT ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT

5. The Dome District should be the Transit Oriented District for Tacoma. It is poised for density, helping to relieve the pressure on Tacoma's older single-family Neighborhoods. Post and Beam would allow development to occur along the tracks, in a sense encapsulating them with buildings of offices, entertainment, parking and housing.

6. Berms separate and divide communities from one another.

7. Berms are for rural areas, not urban areas. For successful pedestrian use of street level businesses, retail and entertainment, it must be continuous. Even a half block break can stop the success of street level retail, as they have found on Pacific Ave. at the huge parking garages.

8. A large berm in the middle of the Dome District will create a potential danger zone by reducing visibility through the area. The berm will create a large blind spot and make it difficult to see up the 705 corridor and green belt. As of the Sound Transit’s currently available drawings, there is now a 300 foot long wall, starting in the ravine, at 20' high to 10' high west at East "A" Street creating the worst CPTED conditions right in the middle of a promising mixed-use district.

9. The downtown renaissance is happening and it will continue south on Pacific Ave. and now that the Dome District is part of the Downtown, that development should turn and continue to the transit hub in the District. Berming would stall this out at the intersection of East 25th St and Pacific. Earthen embankments are not conducive to business and retail renaissance.

10. The "B" Street ravine could someday be a trail way connecting the area to city parks, open spaces, and the Foss Waterway.


ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS

11. The "B" Street Ravine, is identified in Tacoma's Open Space Habitat and Recreation Plan as a Habitat Corridor. This Habitat Corridor will be lost in the Dome District, if filled (bermed).

12. Dirt Berms weigh a lot and could greatly affect the flow of ground water in the aquafilter causing unexpected flooding.

13. The "B" Street Ravine is part of a large urban watershed and water flows underground and downhill through it and eventually into Puget Sound.

14. The "B" Street Ravine has been identified as a Seismic (Earthquake) Hazard Area. It’s considered a Liquefaction area when seismic waves generated by a large earthquake pass through unconsolidated sediments near the ground surface. When a structure is built, the weight of the structure and its contents are transferred through the foundation into underlying soils.

15. Sound Transit has stated, the berm will be planted with grass. Look at any of Tacoma's existing berms and you'll see they are not maintained, they are overgrown and full of invasive plants. No one is identified to maintain these berms.

16. The "B" Street Ravine is important because it connects to the much larger open space to the South of the Dome District the Foss Waterway.

17. The Dome District Development Plan identifies the "B" Street Ravine as a green space. If the ravine is not bermed there will be a better chance of bridging East 25th Street in the future to complete the pathway to the Foss.

18. As cities grow and expand Green Belts and Open Space are disappearing. We need to protect the ones we still in order to keep our cities livable and have available for future needs.


TWO OTHER REASONS

19) Recent estimates show that the cost is less than 1 million, which is nothing considering the size of the project.

20) Time should not be a factor, because designing a Post and Beam elevated structure is will not take much time and it's a fairly simple structure.

Do It Right Tacoma, does not want to slow the project down and we don't want it to cost millions more, we just want it done correctly.

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In January, our City Council passed Resolution No. 37726, that among other things stated "The post and beam construction may not be uniformly appropriate, but should be used where it makes sense with City of Tacoma and Sound Transit staff working together.

Building a berm through a Habitat Corridor and the Dome District does not make sense for Tacoma. Post and Beam is a much better option.

Citizens of Tacoma are don't want to see a berm through the area, so let's get it done correctly and for the good of Tacoma and our future.
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Saturday, August 8, 2009

Sound Transit and Tacoma Tracks

Interesting story about Tacoma, Sound Transit and earth berms.
It's from 2004, but relates somewhat to today's issues.

Sound Transit still stuck in a Tacoma sinkhole (2004)
By Jane Hadley
Seattle Post-Intelligencer Reporter

A few paragraphs from the story:

The introduction of Sounder train service between Everett and Lakewood in Pierce County is many years behind schedule. At one point, Sound Transit had promised to have 15 round trips by the end of 2001. Currently, there are three round-trip trains running between Tacoma and Seattle and one round-trip train running between Everett and Seattle.

The delays result from loss of revenue associated with Initiative 695, endangered-species protections, property-acquisition difficulties and negotiations with Burlington Northern Santa Fe over use of its rails.

The troubled Tacoma track segment has been an ongoing headache and embarrassment for Sound Transit.

Link to the full story:
http://www.seattlepi.com/transportation/177204_transpo10.html

We want Sound Transit to do what is best for Tacoma. Good planning and design do not delay projects. Sound Transit needs to rethink and correct their plans through the Dome District and not build another earth berm like they are currently planning.
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Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Claudia Riedener's letter to the Editor: Trib

TACOMA: Sound Transit’s plan is the wrong one
CLAUDIA RIEDENER; Tacoma
Published: 08/05/09 12:05 am
Sound Transit wants to run an earthen berm through the middle of the Dome District. It is 10 years behind schedule and now needs to move along with what it designed.
It seems to me that hurry is a bad reason to build something that is supposed to be in place for 50 to 100 years or more. The Dome District is our most viable neighborhood for future density. All major transportation hubs are right here, and it is within walking distance of many downtown attractions.
Cutting the district in half with a berm that will be a weedy mess surrounded by chain- link fence is unconscionable. No other neighborhood would allow that. We are losing commercially viable space and parking necessary for Dome events.
We are losing future development in the area because if will not be financially viable to build next to the berm and have to shore up massive amounts of soil. Earthquakes are another issue; we know what happens when we build on fill.
The movement of thousand of people during Dome and LeMay Museum events will cause safety issues with folks trying to cross the tracks. Tacoma’s own comprehensive plan calls for wildlife corridors in this area; Sound Transit’s current plan is in direct opposition to that.
Tacoma deserves a smart transportation solution that is fit for an urban area. Let’s demand smart, forward-looking planning with livability of our communities at heart. Let’s build post and beam.

Link to Claudia's letter in the TNT http://www.thenewstribune.com/opinion/letters/story/834265.html?storylink=pd

Other Letters to the Editors:
Bliss Moore TNT 8/1/09 http://www.thenewstribune.com/opinion/letters/story/830566.html

Lynn Di Nino TNT 7/29/09 http://www.thenewstribune.com/opinion/letters/story/826830.html?storylink=pd
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Peter Callaghan's story in Trib

When it comes to Dome District, Sound Transit planners aren’t listening
PETER CALLAGHAN; THE NEWS TRIBUNE
Published: 08/04/09 12:05 am
Comments (46)
Recommend (15)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/topstories/story/833070.html

At one time, Sound Transit operated under a strict policy: Any neighborhood that hosted the transit agency’s rails and stations would be better off after construction than it was before.
That policy now seems to have been amended to read “except in Tacoma.” Down here, we are being directed by the bureaucrats and the politicians who allegedly supervise them to take what they offer us and like it.
Or else.
Or else what?
Or else they’ll take their rails and trains and go home to Seattle.
The latest issue is the method to get Sounder trains from the current end of the line at Freighthouse Square to South Tacoma and Lakewood. In order to climb a small grade between D and M streets, the engineers must gradually elevate the tracks. The grade is needed so the tracks can cross Pacific on a bridge rather than at street level – a change made for safety reasons.
Sound Transit staff wants to build a tall earthen berm and put the tracks on top. When that decision was made, such a method was considerably cheaper. But the businesses and neighbors in the Dome District – plus lots of others who see that area as a great mixed-use area some day – see the berm as the Not-So-Great Wall of Tacoma.
The berm will create a visual and psychological barrier between the upper part of the district by the Dome and the lower part that approaches the Foss Waterway.
Dome District advocates have suggested using post-and-beam construction instead. That would allow pedestrians to pass beneath and allow some space for parking. While earlier estimates said post-and-beam would be much more expensive, more-recent analysis suggests the costs are comparable.
Neither one is a fabulous solution. But the post-and-beam method would be less bad, and advocates for the neighborhood are telling anyone and everyone who will listen. They are also trying to tell a lot of folks who aren’t listening – the Sound Transit staff and the local elected officials who serve on the Sound Transit board.
Last week, at the urging of Pierce County Executive Pat McCarthy, who recently joined the Sound Transit board, a meeting was held with agency staff, politicians and neighborhood advocates. Plans were presented, opinions were shared, the path of the tracks was toured.
When it was over, Sound Transit said thanks for coming, but it isn’t changing its plans. The design was changed once, staff said, when the decision was made to go over the top of Pacific. The project is already over time and over budget.
None of that is the fault of the neighborhoods or the city of Tacoma.
Neighbors probably don’t expect the bureaucrats in Seattle to pay them much attention. They do, however, expect the local elected officials who represent them on the Sound Transit board to take on their case. That hasn’t happened either.
After last week’s meeting, Tacoma Councilwoman Julie Anderson told News Tribune editorial page editor Pat O’Callahan that residents shouldn’t get their hopes up.
“It’s unfortunate that people think we’re at a decision point, because a decision was made quite some time ago,” Anderson said.
Once again, Sound Transit has demonstrated the difference between being willing to listen and being willing to be persuaded. The agency is required to spend millions of dollars to distribute information and seek public opinion. But there is little evidence that opinions contrary to those held by staff and board members are considered.
Anyone who has ridden the Seattle LINK segments can see how much was spent to make those neighborhoods better. Seattle politicians also assured that millions more were spent on nontransit economic and social programs to buy off opposition in the Rainier Valley.
But when Tacoma residents ask for a design that won’t damage the Dome District, they’re told to take a hike.
Peter Callaghan: 253-597-8657
peter.callaghan@thenewstribune.com
blogs.thenewstribune.com/politics
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Sunday, August 2, 2009

Tacoma Anti-Berm / What's New

SOUND TRANSIT MEETING - LAST MONDAY
Representatives from Sound Transit met with a large group of concerned citizens and presented their berm plans. In attendance were several Sound Transit Board Members, including Pat McCarthy, David Enslow, Julie Anderson, and Claudia Thomas, the City of Tacoma was represented by Mayor Bill Baarsma, City Manager Eric Anderson, Council Members Connie Ladenburg, and Mike Lonergan, there were also approximately 100 concerned citizens, several Neighborhood Council Chairs including Jesse Hart and Mike Lord, conservation groups, including Sierra Club and Cascade Land Conservancy, also Matt Perry of Representative Adam Smith office plus 10-20 Sound Transit staff. It was a very warm morning and they were not prepared for such a turnout of concerned citizens. To sum up the meeting, Sound Transit said they are not changing their plans, and after the walk-thru, a show of hands indicated citizens and groups were more convinced the ever that it should be open with a Post and Beam method of construction.

Sound Transit meeting July 27th



Walking the Dome District area with Sound Transit on July 27th


STRATEGY AND TRAINING
Our core group met twice last week to talk about strategy and next steps. We had one successful training session so decided to have another on August 6th. We are planning to meet at the Tacoma Green Drinks monthly meeting, because Cascade Land Conservancy is this month's sponsor, meeting at Meconi’s Pub and Eatery, 709 Pacific Avenue in Downtown Tacoma. If needed we'll move to an adjacent office for the meeting. About CLC http://www.cascadeland.org/

POST AND BEAM COST
Sound Transit officials have long argued that post and beam is prohibitively expensive, and have cited a cost increase of anywhere from four to ten million dollars. But their engineering firm’s “Technical Memorandum,” released Monday, estimates that a concrete and steel hybrid post and beam is only $5 million, compared to the berm at $4.6M (or $6.5M vs. $5.5M after cost contingencies). We are having an independent highway/rail Engineer look at the "Tech Memo" to confirm the numbers and to evaluate their hybrid design, which we think is over built.

FACEBOOK PAGE
New page with 187 fans joined in the past week.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Do-It-Right-Tacoma/115983747610?ref=mf

ONLINE PETITION
80 people have now signed and commented, if you have not signed it, please do so today.
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/petition/844347001
You can post comments when you sign the petition.

NEWS COVERAGE
The News Tribune and the Tacoma Weekly each featured a front page story about the Sound Transit berm in last weeks newspapers. Bliss Moore and Lynn DiNino sent letters to the Editors and got published (they both support the no berm side).

Augsust 4th TNT article:
http://www.thenewstribune.com/topstories/story/833070.html
We encourage you to email letters to Newspaper Editors and the City Council.

SUPPORT LETTERS
We're collecting support letters from all of the Community Councils of Tacoma, neighborhood groups, environmental organizations, and business groups. Please check with the groups you're affiliated with, and if they support us request that a letter be sent to us as well as the Tacoma City Council showing support.

There's more but this is getting too long so I'll stop here.
Please tell your friends about Do It Right Tacoma, stopping the berm is a cause worth fighting for.
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Saturday, August 1, 2009

Help Save the "B" Street Ravine

Here's a nice letter published by The News Tribune
by BLISS MOORE; Tacoma
Published: 08/01/09 12:05 am
---------------------------------

TACOMA: Rail crossing must accommodate wildlife

Re: “Rail to Lakewood: Get on with it” (editorial, 7-29).

The 100-plus community members attending the Sound Transit community meeting in Tacoma Tuesday were unanimous that, at the very least, the B Street Ravine crossing should be on posts and beams and not on a berm.

That ravine is part of a wildlife corridor from the southern uplands north to the Foss Waterway. Though there are still two other barriers (Tacoma Rail tracks and 25th Street) in the ravine, berming for the new Sound Transit Sounder tracks would essentially seal off this ravine forever.

Berming would be contrary to re-establishing this wildlife corridor per the comprehensive plan for this area. The post-and-beam construction, with its small additional cost, would provide a better opportunity in the future to modify these other barriers, making an open corridor for wildlife and a trail for people from the McKinley Park area to the Foss Waterway.

The Dome District deserves a decent chance to become a vibrant business district around “The Transportation Hub” of Tacoma and the region, much like Spokane has now.

The Dome District group’s own independent engineering report indicates that constructing with posts and beams could be done more simply and inexpensively than Sound Transit estimates.

Tacoma should embrace preservation of vital urban open space to attract the new businesses and residents the city needs to become a model for sustainable urban growth and development.

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Here's the online link, where you can leave comments:
http://www.thenewstribune.com/opinion/letters/story/830566.html

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We urge you and others to write to The News Tribune, here's the email address to write to: letters@thenewstribune.com

The Tacoma Weekly has a Front Page page story written by John Larson in this weeks paper. Here's a link to the online article: http://www.tacomaweekly.com/article/3356

Please sign our Online Petition:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/petition/844347001
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Thursday, July 30, 2009

Volunteer Training - Thursday August 6th

Volunteer training - Help stop the Sound Transit berm in Tacoma, Thur. Aug 6th at 6:30 p.m., Crystal Voyage. 2601 East D Street #201, Tacoma, 98421 Turn into alley off D St and park behind building. We’ll bring you up to speed on the project/issues and our strategy. Our first training session was very good so we decided to organize a second training. Please join us if you can.

If you pull any weight and have the ears of our elected officials we'd especially like to educate you on the issues.

In addition, we're looking for an attorney to help us with our cause and a fund raising expert.

Contact us at: doitrighttacoma@gmail.com

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Volunteer Training - Wednesday July 29th

Volunteer training - Help stop the Sound Transit berm in Tacoma, Wed. July 29th at 6pm, at Crystal Voyage. 2601 East D Street #201, Tacoma, 98421 Turn into alley off D street and park behind building. We’ll bring you up to speed on the issues and train you on how to present most effectively to other community groups, the City Council, Sound Transit and anyone. Training session will last about an hour. Please join us if you can because we need your support.

RSVP to doitrighttacoma@gmail.com is possible, however it's OK to show up without, also bring a friend or two.

Article from The News Tribune on Monday Sound Transit meeting:
http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/politics/2009/07/27/dome_district_objects_but_sound_transit_

Sunday, July 26, 2009

Sound Transit Meeting - July 27th

In the next twenty-four hours we need concerned citizens to get active and involved. Sound Transit is building a new rail line through Tacoma and one particular section in the Dome District has not been designed well and design needs changed.

Join other concerned citizens, Sound Transit Board Members, the Tacoma City Council, and other elected officials, Monday morning at 9:00 a.m. to learn more about the Sound Transit plan. The meeting will be held at Freighthouse Square, main lobby where Sounder tickets are sold, or in the large room at the East end of Freighthouse Square. The meeting is still scheduled for the Monday the 27th at 9:00 a.m.

This is really an important meeting and may be our last hope of getting Sound Transit to adjust their plans. This is your chance to speak up and be heard. Also, after the meeting send follow-up email to the Sound Transit Board and City Council members and tell them thoughts about the meeting and proposed design. You will find an email list just to the right of this article in the top section.

We're not trying to slow the project down, just get it done right.
Please bring your friends and anyone else that might be interested in this project.

Reasons why Post and Beam option is a better option:
http://doitrighttacoma.blogspot.com/2009/07/why-post-beam-is-better-option.html

Map and directions to Freighthouse Square.
http://www.freighthousesquare.com/location.html

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Important Sound Transit Meeting

Important meeting notice. Please attend because your support is needed at this meeting. The letter below is addressed to the Dome Business District but is intended for all interested citizens. Please let your friends know about this meeting, it is very important that citizens attend and learn more about this project.

--------------------------------------

July 17, 2009

Dome Business District
2601 East D Street, #308
Tacoma, WA

Dear Dome Business District Members:

Recently, Pierce County Executive Pat McCarthy met with members of the Sound Transit Board from Pierce County and representatives from the Dome District. The subject of the meeting was the Gateway Concept and earthen embankment chosen as the final design alternative for the D-M Street Sounder Extension.

Dome District representatives raised a number of issues about the design decision and stated that their concerns were also shared by many of Tacoma’s community leasers and other groups involved in environmental and development issues.

As a result, the Executive shared with us that the Pierce County members of the Sound Transit Board would like to meet with community leaders to present data prepared by Sound Transit explaining the basis for the recommended final design, as well as address the post and beam alternative offered by the Dome District representatives. We have been asked to forward the meeting information so that you can attend if you are available.

The meeting is scheduled for Monday, July 27th, 9:00 a.m., at the Freighthouse Square center lobby and ticket vending area. The group will begin with a presentation and then walk the alignment so you can connect design elements with actual locations.

Map link and directions to Freigthouse Square:
Address of Freighthouse Square is 2501 East D Street, Tacoma, 98421

Since this meeting will only be successful if members from the community can attend, we are hoping to see you there.

Sincerely,


Bill Baarsma Eric Anderson
Mayor City Manager

Monday, July 20, 2009

Why Post & Beam is a Better Option
for Sound Transit's Heavy Rail

Sound Transit plans to build a large earth berm through the Dome District of Tacoma for their new heavy rail Sounder tracks. Here's some reasons why this is a bad idea and why using Post and Beam elevated construction is a better solution.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS

1. The "B" Street Ravine, is identified in Tacoma's Open Space Habitat and Recreation Plan as a Habitat Corridor. This Habitat Corridor will be lost in the Dome District, if filled (bermed).

2. Dirt Berms weigh a lot and could greatly affect the flow of ground water in the aquafilter causing unexpected flooding.

3. The "B" Street Ravine is part of a large Urban watershed and water flows underground and downhill through it and eventually into Puget Sound.

4. The "B" Street Ravine has been identified as a Seismic (Earthquake) Hazard Area.

5. Sound Transit has stated, the berm will be planted with grass. Look at any of Tacoma's existing berms and you'll see they are not maintained, they are overgrown and full of invasive plants.

6. The "B" Street Ravine is important because it connects to a much larger open space to the South and connects to the Foss Waterway.

7. The Dome District Development Plan identifies the "B" Street Ravine as a green space. If the ravine is not bermed there will be a better chance of rebridging East 25th Street in the future to complete the pathway to the Foss.

8. As cities grow and expand Green Belts and Open Space are disappearing. We need to protect the ones we still have available.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CONCERNS

9. Berm width makes any available lots too small to build on and since the tracks are not self-supporting no developer will build near the tracks with the chance of subsidence.

10. The berms take too much land off the tax rolls, and it's land that someday could produce tax revenue for the city if it were developed.

11. 84 parking spaces will be lost if the track is bermed. Will have to build parking to replace the current parking spaces on land that is much more valuable as housing/office sites.

12. We understand that the cost of the Post and Beam is very similar to the berm and there are more unforseen costs (unknown utilities, unknown soil conditions...) in berming.

URBAN TRANSIT ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT

13. The Dome District should be the Transit Oriented District for Tacoma. It is poised for density, helping to relieve the pressure on Tacoma's older single-family Neighborhoods. Post and Beam would allow development to occur along the tracks, in a sense encapsulating them with buildings of offices, entertainment, parking and housing.

14. Berms separate and divide communities from one another.

15. Berms are for rural areas, not urban areas. For successful pedestrian use of street level businesses, retail and entertainment, it must be continuous. Even a half block break can stop the success of street level retail, as they have found on Pacific Ave. at the huge parking garages.

16. A large berm in the middle of the Dome District will create a potential danger zone by reducing visibility through the area. The berm will create a large blind spot and make it difficult to see up the 705 corridor and green belt. As of the 30% drawings of Sound Transit's, there is now a 300 foot long wall, starting in the ravine, at 20' high to 10' high west at E"A"St. creating the worst CPTED conditions right in the middle of a promising mixed-use district.

17. Everyone wants the downtown renaissance to continue south on Pacific Ave. and now that the Dome District is part of the Downtown, that development should turn and continue to the transit hub in the District. Berming would stall this out at the interesection of E.25th St. Embankments are not part of a business/retail renaissance.

18.The "B" Street ravine could someday be a trail way connecting the area to city parks and the Foss Waterway.

In January, our City Council passed Resolution No. 37726, that among other things stated "The post and beam construction may not be uniformly appropriate, but should be used where it makes sense with City of Tacoma and Sound Transit staff working together.

Building a berm through a Habitat Corridor and across Pacific Ave. does not make sense for the future of our City or our region. Post and Beam is a much better option.

These are a just a few of the reasons berms is not good. Some are more important than others and there are plenty of other reasons too. If you have any thoughts or ideas please add them in the comment section of this article.

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Please attend an important meeting on Monday, July 27th, 9:00 a.m., at the Freighthouse Square, main lobby where Sounder tickets are sold. Address is 2501 East D Street, Tacoma 98421

Several members of the Sound Transit Board will be there, also the Mayor of Tacoma and members of the City Council, as well as other key players in this project and concerned citizens.
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Wednesday, July 15, 2009

How To Help
Support A Good Cause

We want our City Council to demand Sound Transit use Post and Beam construction (concrete or metal pillars) for the new Sounder track, instead of an earthen berm through the Dome District. We are firmly of the opinion that Post and Beam “makes sense” from East “C” Street to South “C” Street, especially across the Habitat Corridor, called the “B” Street ravine, continuing under I-705 to East “A” Street and at Pacific Avenue. This will provide the possibility for more economic development, will strengthen rather than diminish Tacoma’s Transit Oriented District and protect land for the future recreation and environmental needs of the City of Tacoma.

• Send email to members of the Tacoma City Council, tell them you want Sound Transit to use the Post and Beam option through the Dome District. It makes sense in this area.

• Attend any Sound Transit or City of Tacoma meeting related to the Project. We usually post them here as soon as we know about them.

Very important meeting coming up on Monday morning, July 27th, 9:00am, at Freighthouse Square center lobby and ticket vending area. The group will begin with a presentation and then walk the alignment so you can connect design elements with actual locations.

Map link and directions to Freigthouse Square:
Address of Freighthouse Square is 2501 East D Street, Tacoma, 98421


• Send us an email stating your opposition to Sound Transits berm plan. Your email will be used as support material when talking with public officials.

• Download our Signature Petition, print it and have your friends and colleagues sign it, and be sure to return it to us.

• Send email to members of the Sound Transit Board, and to other public officials letting them know your concerns with this project and the impact it will have on Tacoma.

• If you’re a member of an environmental group or community group please mention the Sound Transit project at your next two meetings. Ask if they will send us a letter of support from the group. The written text on the Signature Petition is a good starting point.

• Invite everyone on your email mailing list to visit our blog so they can learn more about the project and issues: http://doitrighttacoma.blogspot.com/

• If you have a Facebook or MySpace page, please mention our blog as the place to learn more about Sound Transit and the Tacoma Sounder project, your friends might want to become involved.

• Join Community Stewards: http://communitystewards.org/
It's a discussion area and site organized by Cascade Land Conservancy. You can read additional information in the Transforming the Dome District group.

• If you have other ideas let us know, we need your support.

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Downloads:

Signature Petition
http://art-collecting.com/tacoma/doitrighttacoma-petition.doc

Public Official Email List
http://art-collecting.com/tacoma/public-officials.pdf

Our Mailing Address:
Do It Right Tacoma, 301 Puyallup Avenue, Tacoma, WA 98421

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Update

July 9th - We have now presented information to 4 Neighborhood Councils with 3 more scheduled in the next week, also to the Community Councils of Tacoma (which is all the Chairs of the Councils). We have been received very favorably, with the CCoT writing a letter in support of the Post and Beam and the Councils either promising to write a letter or signing our petition. We, now, have over 250 signatures on our petition.

We also met with County Executive Pat McCarthy and with Matt Perry, of Congressman Adam Smith's office sitting in. County Executive McCarthy as a new Sound Transit Board member, asked the other South Sound Board Members, David Enslow and Claudia Thomas, to join her. This was our toughest audience to date. They want to get to Lakewood! We emphasized, that we do too. And that we thought, the Post and Beam method of construction would get us there quicker and cheaper, in the long run. The sad part was that none of the Board Members had any idea there was opposition or a request for a comparative construction estimate for this stretch of track through the Dome District. They promised to go back to the full Board and ask about it. We were also told that we could present to the full Board. Is this our next step?

At their monthly meeting this morning, the Tacoma Downtown Merchants Group voted and agreed to write a letter supporting the post and beam option and a statement saying they are against the plan to berm through the Dome District.

The Important "B" Street Ravine

By 2040, an expected 100,000 new people are expected to end up in Tacoma. This growth will present an enormous challenge for our city. How should we grow? Where should we grow? How will people get around? How will this growth affect the environment? How can we shape this growth in a manner which both improves our environment, our economy and our quality of life? Through transit oriented development.

We have an opportunity to achieve this type of growth in the Dome District of Tacoma, a relatively undeveloped neighborhood that already serves as a regional transit hub serviced by Pierce Transit, Sound Transit, Greyhound, Amtrak and the Link Light Rail service to downtown Tacoma. With incredible transit access, parks all around, the Thea Foss, easy access to Downtown and the Dome; the Dome District is poised to become “the place to live” in Tacoma and transform itself into a real transit-oriented community.

But we need your help for our city to realize its potential. Sound Transit is extending commuter rail service from the Dome Station to South Tacoma and Lakewood and is planning on building an enormous earthen berm right through the heart of our neighborhood. They are even planning on filling in and berming the B St. Ravine, identified in our City’s Open Space Habitat and Recreation Plan as a Habitat Corridor! In addition, the Dome District Development Strategy (which, like the Comprehensive Plan, has been adopted by the City Council) identifies the B St. Ravine as a green space and potential location for important trail connections through our neighborhood.


Click the picture to enlarge, then Back to return


In January, our City Council passed Resolution No. 37726, that, among other things, stated, “The post and beam construction may not be uniformly appropriate, but should be used where it makes sense with City of Tacoma and Sound Transit staff working together.” Building a berm through a Habitat Corridor does not make sense, neither for our neighborhood, or the future of our region. Destroying this important green space will make it nearly impossible for the Dome District to realize its potential; hurting both our city and our region. We need your help; please ask the City Council to demand Sound Transit use post and beam construction across the B Street Ravine, it makes sense to save this ravine for the future of Tacoma.




The red circle indicates the location of the B Street Ravine. Please note the close proximity to the Thea Foss Waterway, which will have parks on the South end in the near future. Just across the tracks is a large Public Works parking lot, which someday it could be restored and become valuable park land with connections running through the B Street Ravine. It’s important to protect and save this area and the small habitat corridor. Someday it will be needed to connect, the Tacoma Dome, the LeMay Museum and the community to the Thea Foss Waterway and downtown Tacoma.

For more information please contact us at doitrighttacoma@gmail.com and also visit http://www.communitystewards.org/ to join our online group, “Transforming the Dome District”

Thursday, June 25, 2009

On King 5 News!

KING 5 - News Story on June 24th

http://www.king5.com/localnews/south/stories/NW_062409WAB-tacoma-light-rail-KS.32c7e0a.html

The Sound Transit spokesperson says "they haven't made a final decision yet."
"There's still plenty of time for people to check out the project." 


Other News:
Tacoma News Tribune / Word On The Street
http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/street/?blog=57&title=new_blog_makes_the_case_against_sounder_&page=1&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1&disp=single

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Welcome Message

Welcome to the Do It Right Tacoma.

A blog that's been created by concerned citizens wanting the City of Tacoma to demand Sound Transit to reevaluate, review, and present their plans to result in the best solution possible for our city.

Sound Transit is planning to build an earthen berm to support the tracks through the Dome District, and this construction method is NOT GOOD for the future growth of Tacoma. We're very concerned that the plans affect future economic development, damage critical environmental areas, and will greatly affect quality of life and recreation needs of the area.

We need as many citizens as possible to join us in asking our city government to look closely at how Sound Transit is going to affect our city. Please review the articles and material on this site. Also, please tell your friends and colleagues about this site and what's going on with the rail line. We'll be adding new information frequently, so check back soon.

City of Tacoma / Sound Transit Meeting

On June 25 (Thursday) from 5:30 p.m. until 7 p.m., the City hosted a bridge design workshop for the Pacific Ave section of track. This was the first of two meetings. At the second meeting, the project team plans to present conceptual renderings of the ideas that were presented during the first meeting.

The D-to-M street project will include a 1.4 mile section of rail corridor when new track is constructed connecting the Tacoma Dome Station to the existing rail right-of-way. The new rail line will cross a lowered Pacific Avenue on a railroad bridge, which will give traffic unimpeded access north and south of the rail line. The City Council previously approved a low profile bridge and the workshop was to only discuss options and architectural features to enhance the bridge design.

Please read the comments below 

Monday, June 22, 2009

Pacific Avenue Bridge Graphic

Sound Transit's Proposed Pacific Avenue Bridge.
Their future vision, is it ours? Do we want this?


Downtown Tacoma is towards the bottom of the picture.

Please read the comments for this post for more information.

Thursday, June 18, 2009

General Discussion

From: Jori A
Sent: Tuesday, June 16, 2009 4:01:03 PM
Subject: building under post and beam

For a moment of lightness Building next to elevated tracks is easy in most older cities... Thought you might like to see what can be built under heavy rail, if there is the chance...
Jori A












-------------------------

From Rollie H
Sent: Wednesday, June 17, 2009 7:14 AM

Subject: RE: building under post and beam

While I totally agree part of the argument S-T is using is that the tracks will not be elevated enough for the area under them to be useful. Someone needs to produce a simple, easy to read map of the rail line and the elevation above the existing ground level. What we were hearing is that somewhere over 6’ was necessary for a parking area and I would think that would be the minimum possible usage for this area. If it can be shown that there is plenty of room to actually accomplish something under the tracks there would be a much stronger argument.

We have to address our topography, not what has happened in other areas.

Best regards,
Rollie H

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From: Darrel B
Sent: Thursday, June 18, 2009 9:45 AM
Subject: RE: building under post and beam

Not to be simplistic but if the proposed track is made of post and beam construction(with proper footings of course) doesn’t this construction allow for a variety of options for future construction UNDER the tracks (as shown in the pics below) REGARDLESS of actual constructed height or future depth? It seems the only thing (sure a permit, plans and other things) required would be a shovel. Is this correct?

Darrel B

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From Rollie H
Sent: Thursday, June 18, 2009 10:14 AM
Subject: RE: building under post and beam

Good question. With the following disclaimer I would like to try and answer.

Disclaimer: I am not an engineer, architect and have no training in the topic I am trying to answer!

Given that it is my gut feeling that if S-T were to use the post and beam method that they would not put in footings that were deep enough to allow for excavation around them. I also feel (again without the help of a formal background) that construction companies would be very hesitant to excavate near footings even if they were thought to be deep/large enough. The risk of messing up a rail line is too high and the cost to repair the rail line would be huge.

What I think I heard David B say at the meeting we had on the 7th floor of 747 Market several months ago was that it would (might) make sense to use the post and beam technique where there was sufficient height to do something with the property underneath the tracks but if there was only a few feet a berm might make more sense.

That was why yesterday we were discussing how to obtain a drawing that gives the distance between the tracks and the current ground level. David has asked S-T for this information which they have not provided. Perhaps this needs to be discussed at the meeting on the 25th.

Best regards,
Rollie H

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From David B
Sent: Thu 6/18/2009 10:14 AM
Subject: RE: building under post and beam

Rollie – et al – just to be clear. I am not a fan of berms in a urban setting regardless of the height. Once the height is below 7 foot clear, I can see why having a post and beam may not be reasonable BUT then retaining walls should be parallel with the tracks to minimize the width of right-of-way required (or at worst a tapered wall) – and thus allow development to ‘back-up’ directly to the right-of-way as well. If someone want to develop a building below this retaining wall, then can do so at their own risk – but at least the adjoining property has potential for something other than a fenced in rubbish collector (though twould be nicely landscape I am sure).

David B

-------------------------

From: Jori A
Sent: Thursday, June 18, 2009 11:50 AM
Subject: Densify the DD for the benefit of the whole City

Here is the drawing that Keith refers to.... please look at the 5 foot increments and see the amount of fill or open space/developable, taxable land we could have available. And David B is right where the elevation is so minimal that post and beam doesn't make sense, the tracks should still be self-supporting to enhance the chances for quicker development of these parcels.
Jori A

-------------------------

From: Douglas T
Sent: Thu 6/18/2009 2:20 PM
Subject: RE: Densify the DD for the benefit of the whole City

Rollie, et all-

Another important contributor to the discussion on this issue was Councilmember Lonergan (cc’d here) who noted that to the east of the gulch post and beam is probably not needed due the low height. That doesn’t sound like a deal breaker, but specific development potential on a lot by lot basis might well argue otherwise.

From what I hear the City is now telling people that you won’t be able to use **any** of the open area under the post and beam, which, if true, is patently false. I am assuming that Jori is confirming here that the area between the gulch and Pacific is all useable with a post and beam.

Rollie, there are certainly ways to look at this that make it look not to bad – it is not a total tragedy. In my mind the biggest issue is the complete lack of respect for the Tacoma Comp Plan in the ST proposal and the lack of fiduciary, financial, responsibility in taking this project through the early stages.

The neighborhood has put together a solid professional proposal for this area that is consistent with both the development and open space goals for this complicated area, one that may actual be lower in cost. ST’s response, in my mind, is professionally unacceptable – and, unfortunately, way too common.

Hopefully permit and environmental procedures will make this incompetence clear – however it may well require court action on this – and we’ll see if any one ponies up. FWIW, environmentalist and bicycle groups might well be able to this the most effectively and easily – though that strategy does have other risks which you should prepare for.

Douglas T

Presentation Boards

The following graphics provides visual information for you, community councils, community groups and environment groups. Click an image and it will open in a new window and much larger size. Click your browser back button to return to the blog.




Graphic 1 - Ravine





Graphic 2 - Berm vs post and beam where appropriate





Graphic 3 -property development





Graphic 4 - Pacific Avenue Crossing





Graphic 5 - How the Berm Blocks Views






Graphic 6 - Transit Oriented District




Intoduction to Campaign

Introduction to Presentation of Dome District Campaign

Hi I am Jori Adkins, my husband, Rick Semple and I own property and live in the Dome District as does the President of the Dome District Neighborhood Association, Keith Stone, and his wife, Crystal. We are very excited about the potential there for growth and envision an amazingly vibrant mix of residential, office and entertainment that becomes the “place to live” by people from all over Pierce County and beyond.

Tacoma will grow, and the Dome District is where a lot of that growth can happen. The Dome District is poised for density and the creation of a great neighborhood that has all the prerequisites of a Transit Oriented District.

The Tacoma Dome Station is a real hub with Pierce Transit, the Link, Express buses to SeaTac, UWSeattle and to downtown Seattle, also the Sounder, Greyhound bus and someday Amtrak will move up too. We have great parks on our north and south boundaries, The Foss waterway, Museums, the Dome, and all the downtown amenities reached by the Link. But we do want to make sure we grow in the right way, we want to be a true neighborhood, not just a transit hub with parking garages and bus and train thru-ways. That is why we got involved with the Stewardship Program and, because growing right effects more than just the Dome District, we were included as one of the 3 campaigns.

Whether it’s about how the Sounder crosses Pacific Ave and what it says about our downtown, or how taking on density in the Dome District can help take the pressure off of Tacoma’s older single-family neighborhoods, or bridging rather than berming can save a ravine that is part of our Comprehensive Plan’s Habitat Corridor, we would like to talk to you about helping to get the City and Sound Transit to see that we all want the changes to our neighborhoods to add to the success of the future of our City. Stop by our boards over there and talk to us about how we see helping the Dome District grow in the right way helps all of Tacoma.