Pier Side: Briefings on draft 2021-2026 Strategic Plan and Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy implementation plan top Thursday’s meeting

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Port of Tacoma's Pier Side e-newsletter

March 16, 2021

In this issue:

Briefings on draft 2021-2026 Strategic Plan and Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy implementation plan top Thursday’s meeting

At its public meeting on Thursday, March 18, the Port of Tacoma Commission will review the draft 2021-2026 Strategic Plan and provide direction on the date the draft plan will be released for public review and comment.

Commissioners will receive a briefing on the Port of Tacoma’s Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy (NWPCAS) implementation plan. The NWPCAS is a collaborative initiative among four port authorities: Port of Tacoma, Port of Seattle, The Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA), and Vancouver-Fraser Port Authority to reduce air and climate pollution from seaport-related activities. The strategy is slated for adoption by the NWSA Managing Members (comprised of Port of Tacoma and Port of Seattle commissions) at their April 6, 2021 meeting.

Commissioners will also consider an additional project authorization in the amount $830,000, for a total authorized amount of $1,367,000, for work associated with the Taylor Way and Alexander Avenue Fill Area. They will also hold a public hearing to surplus approximately 11.1 acres of Port property, located along and near SR 509. This surplus request is required for the future transfer of this property to the Washington State Department of Transportation in support of the SR 167 Completion Project, part of the Puget Sound Gateway Program, which is currently under construction. View the full agenda.

The public meeting begins at noon and will be streamed live on the Port of Tacoma’s website. You can also dial in at 253-617-4257 and use the conference ID 361 215 735#.

To deliver comments during the public testimony portion of the meeting, please send an email to comment@portoftacoma.com by 9 a.m. PT, Wednesday, March 17, 2021, that includes your name, the telephone number you will be calling from, and the agenda topic you wish to speak to. Please include “speaker” in the subject line. Written comments may be submitted to the same email address and will be provided to the commissioners.

Share your vision for Tacoma Tideflats through community engagement opportunities

Three educational visioning sessions are planned for March 17, 18 and 20 to provide an opportunity for community members who are interested in the future of the Tacoma Tideflats to contribute ideas about what they hope to see in the area in the next 20 years.

The Visioning Session events will each be held virtually on Zoom. Visit the City of Tacoma's website for meeting details and links. 

  • Wednesday, March 17 | Noon to 1 p.m. (Discussion about land use and economic development)
  • Thursday, March 18 | 6-7 p.m. (Discussion about environment and health)
  • Saturday, March 20 | Noon to 1 p.m. (Discussion about transportation/infrastructure)

Learn more about the Tideflats Subarea Plan and provide your feedback through an online survey. This survey will remain open through April 30, 2021. All responses are completely anonymous and will be kept confidential.

Tideflats Subarea Plan

Hylebos Bridge closed for maintenance through March 19

The Hylebos Bridge will be closed for maintenance from March 15 to March 19. During this time, please use Taylor Way to access the peninsula. Drivers may experience delays. We ask everyone to use extreme caution while traveling in the area.

Please contact the City of Tacoma’s bridge manager, Steve Carstens, at 253-328-1506 or Scarstens@cityoftacoma.org with further questions.

Visit the City of Tacoma's website for the latest information on the road closure and detour plans related to the Taylor Way Rehabilitation project.

Join us: State of The Northwest Seaport Alliance event on March 30

You’re invited to the State of The Northwest Seaport Alliance event on March 30 at 10 a.m.

Register today!

The 30-minute virtual program will include key insights about our gateway's initiatives and recognize the 2020 North Star Award winners.

Economic boom from SAFE Boats’ new naval contract will be heard around the region

SAFE Boats

Tacoma-Pierce County has good reason to celebrate! SAFE Boats International was awarded a $20 million lead contract from the U.S. Navy to start construction of the Mark VI patrol boats for the government of Ukraine at their Port of Tacoma facility.

“The Tacoma Tideflats is a working waterfront that supports thousands of manufacturing and industrial jobs, and we are thrilled for SAFE Boats to reopen operations at the Port,” said Dick Marzano, Port of Tacoma commission president. “The addition of these high-skilled jobs is important to the maritime industry and an integral part of Pierce County’s economic recovery and growth.”

Read more on the EDB's website.

Commissioner Meyer speaks at Rotary Club of Parkland-Spanaway

Commissioner Don Meyer spoke at the weekly meeting of the Rotary Club of Parkland-Spanaway on March 9. Commissioner Meyer provided background on the Port of Tacoma, a look back at 2020, and discussed our future competitive perspective. Thank you to the Rotary Club of Parkland-Spanaway for having us!

We'd love to come speak to community groups in your neighborhood. To request a speaker from the Port at your next meeting, please complete this online form or contact the Port's public relations manager, Leslie Barstow, at 253-428-8662.

Rotary Club of Parkland-Spanaway

Diary of the Port Biologist: Oooh la la! Time to get our hands dirty

Port Biologist

In honor of National Plant a Flower Day (March 12), join the Port Biologist as she celebrates the start of spring by sharing her top 10 favorite native flowers that you can plant in your very own yard.

"Most people who have lived in the Pacific Northwest for any length of time are familiar with the eternal ray of sunshine, Ciscoe Morris, and his popular TV show, Gardening with Ciscoe,” she said. “I am no Ciscoe. But who doesn’t love saying, ‘Oooh la la!’?” Read more

Flower

Willie Adams: Making and living history as a longshore union leader

Willie Adams

Willie Adams’ mother wanted him to be a minister. He wanted to be a Hollywood star. Neither ever dreamed he’d make history.

Shortly after moving to Tacoma in 1978, Adams started working on the Port of Tacoma docks, eventually earning a position as a member of International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 23.

In 2018, Adams was elected the ILWU’s first Black international president.

“I knew nothing about unions when I was a kid,” Adams said. “I had no idea that I’d wind up in Tacoma and get involved in union politics.” Read more

We’re hiring: Join our team

The Ports is a dynamic and exciting place to work! We are committed to employee development, providing a rewarding work environment and creating opportunities for growth. See our competitive benefits summary.

View current job opportunities

We work to create and maintain an inclusive workplace that is based on principles of mutual respect and acceptance. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate. Women, minorities, veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Port celebrates Women’s History Month

Women's History Month

March is Women’s History Month, a time to honor and celebrate the trailblazing women whose achievements and contributions have made an impact throughout our country’s history.

Thank you to the women in our lives, communities and workplaces who uplift and inspire us every day! 

Largest vessel to call Tacoma greeted to winter wonderland

MSC Auriga

While we were distracted with the snow last month, the largest container ship ever to call Tacoma sneaked its way through Commencement Bay under the assistance of the Puget Sound Pilots and three Foss tugs.

The MSC Auriga was built in 2020 and stretches a little over 1,200 feet—that’s nearly two Space Needle laid end to end!

The 15,000-TEU vessel arrived from China on Feb. 13, chock-full of cargo destined for the U.S. Midwest.

MSC Auriga