Hello District 3!
I hope that you are all enjoying summer and staying cool out there! I'm excited to share that applications for community members to join the new Urban Design Board (UBD) are now open. This is your opportunity to join the new board and influence the future of Tacoma’s urban landscape, ensuring that our built environment reflects our rich culture, dynamic community, and vibrant neighborhoods.
Here is some information about the positions that are available:
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Design and Development Professional—four (4) four positions: Those encouraged to apply include candidates with professional experience related to site and building design and development from fields such as architecture, landscape architecture, planning, urban design, land use or real estate law, real estate development, construction or building trades, and civil or structural engineering.
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Allied Community Representative—three (3) positions: Seeking candidates with lived and/or professional experience and/or training relevant to three urban design priorities: active/multimodal transportation, sustainable development, and culture and heritage. One representative is to be appointed for each of these three priority subject areas.
Applicants' expertise may potentially span various fields, including, but not limited to, transit agency administration, transportation planner or engineer, “green” building professional, urban forestry professional, environmental planner, artisan/craftsperson, historian, architectural history professional, and cultural organization administrator.
 The UDB will provide early concept design guidance and make final design decisions for specific Urban Design Project Review (UDPR) permits. Additionally, the Board will offer advisory input to the City of Tacoma on urban design matters, serving as an educational resource and advocate for design excellence in our community. Regular meetings are set to begin in January 2025, to be held once a month on a weekday after normal business hours. For more information, visit: Urban Design Board - City of Tacoma.
 I hope those who are interested will apply and get involved with this important new Board! Just visit the City of Tacoma website for Committees, Boards, and Commissions at cityoftacoma.org/CBC and click on “How to Apply."
Applications are due by August 21!
 New Opportunities to Share Feedback on the South Tacoma Neighborhood Plan
The City’s award-winning Neighborhood Planning Program is still working on the South Tacoma Neighborhood Plan, and we want your feedback!
The Neighborhood Planning process brings together community organizations, businesses, residents, City departments, and partner agencies to identify a vision for the future—and then helps to implement that vision. The South Tacoma Neighborhood Plan process launched this winter, and we’ve received fantastic input and feedback at events, via surveys, and in community meetings. Since June, Neighborhood Planning staff have been working with the Steering Group to use this feedback to develop the Plan goals.
Our current phase of feedback is focused on getting your project ideas for specific actions that will be included in the final Plan. I encourage everyone to share your thoughts! You can provide your input through the interactive project ideas map and survey.
You can also find staff and volunteers in person at community events and local businesses this summer. I hope to see you at some of these events!
- Summer Bash at STAR Center (3873 South 66th Street), Friday, August 23 from 6 to 9 PM
- Fernseed Pop-Up (Garage door along South 54th Street & South Tacoma Way), Saturday, August 31 from 11 AM to 2 PM, during the Haunted Farmers’ Market
- Hive Co. Pop-Up (5436 South Tacoma Way), Saturday, September 28 from 10 AM to 1 PM, during the Haunted Farmers’ Market
A note on the loss of one of Tacoma's fiercest advocates, Matt Driscoll
Tacoma lost one of its fiercest advocates when TNT columnist, Matt Driscoll, passed away unexpectedly last weekend. Like many of you, I have spent much time reading Matt’s words, contemplating the thoughts they provoked, and engaging with family, friends, and neighbors about the topics he examined with curiosity and empathy.
I am heartbroken for his family as they navigate this new reality, yet I am grateful and heartened by the outpouring of love and support our Tacoma community has shown to those Matt cherished dearly.
Please extend yourselves and each other grace as grief will impact each of us in different ways.
As always, please don't hesitate to reach out to share your perspective with me. I value the opportunity to hear your concerns and questions! I can be reached at JScott8@cityoftacoma.org or you can sign up for my virtual office hours here: https://calendly.com/cotcouncil/cm-scott-office-hours.
For more information on City updates and resources, please check out cityoftacoma.org. You can also tune in to the City Council’s Study Session or Council meetings every week on Tuesdays via TV Tacoma, Facebook Live, or Zoom. Access information is available at cityoftacoma.org/councilmeetings.
Please also feel free to share my newsletter with others and encourage them to subscribe.
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Thank you,
Council Member Jamika Scott -- District 3
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