City of Tacoma Washington sent this bulletin at 06/17/2026 09:30 AM PDT
As summer gets underway, I hope you're finding time to enjoy everything that makes our city special, from neighborhood gatherings and community events to time spent with family and friends. This season is also a reminder of what we can accomplish when we come together. In this edition, you'll find updates on important progress for Tacoma's future, opportunities to get involved in your community, and ways we're working together to keep our city safe, welcoming, and moving forward. Thank you for being part of what makes Tacoma such a great place to call home.
Summer is one of the best times to be in Tacoma. From graduations and neighborhood celebrations to concerts, sporting events, and waterfront activities, thousands of residents and visitors will be enjoying our city in the months ahead. That's why we're launching Tidy-Up Tacoma: Summer 2026, a community-wide effort to keep Tacoma clean, welcoming, and safe.
This work builds on the momentum we've already seen this year. In early June, I was out with residents and city crews using the Grit City Gobbler, our vacuum truck, and other equipment to remove litter and debris around the Tacoma Dome area, helping improve one of our city's most important gateways. These efforts make a difference, but lasting success depends on all of us working together.
Tacoma has always been a city that rolls up its sleeves. Every day, neighbors, businesses, community groups, and volunteers take pride in their blocks and help make our city stronger. Through Tidy-Up Tacoma: Summer 2026, we're inviting more people to join that effort by helping clean up key corridors, addressing graffiti, and improving the appearance of the places that residents and visitors see first.
A cleaner city supports public safety, strengthens neighborhood pride, and helps ensure everyone feels welcome in Tacoma. The City will provide volunteers with supplies, safety equipment, and disposal support, while continuing to offer graffiti removal assistance and other cleanup resources for eligible property owners.
Thank you to everyone who is already doing this work in their neighborhoods and to those who will join us this summer. Together, we can continue building a Tacoma that reflects the pride we all have in our community.
Keeping the Tacoma Dome Link Extension on track took a lot of people speaking up for Tacoma's future. I want to thank the residents, neighborhood advocates, labor partners, business leaders, and community organizations who made their voices heard and helped demonstrate why this project matters. I also want to especially recognize Tacoma's representatives on the Sound Transit Board, Council Member Kristina Walker and Pierce County Executive Ryan Mello, whose persistent advocacy helped ensure Tacoma's interests remained front and center throughout this process.
Because of that collective effort, the Tacoma Dome Link Extension remains on schedule. This investment will strengthen connections across our region, making it easier for people to reach jobs, schools, healthcare, entertainment, and other essential destinations. The project will bring four new light rail stations to South Federal Way, Fife, East Tacoma/Portland Avenue, and the Tacoma Dome area, creating stronger links to Pierce Transit, Intercity Transit, and other regional transportation services. This is a major win for Tacoma and for everyone who depends on a reliable, connected regional transit system. While we won’t rest until the project is completed, we can take a moment to celebrate this win for Tacoma.
Every Wednesday you can join me for office hours across Tacoma. These Office hours take city hall to you so that we can have meaningful conversations right in the community. By having these opportunities to connect I strive to be better connected to the evolving needs of the community and highlight local businesses and locations to support. If you own or manage a location in Tacoma that would make for a great spot for my next office hours, please submit those suggestions through this form. I hope to see you there!
June 10th – District 4 – 10am – 11am – Vien Dong - 3801 S Yakima Ave, Tacoma, WA 98418
June 17th – District 5 – 12pm – 1pm – Elmer's Restaurant - 7427 S Hosmer St, Tacoma, WA 98408
June 24th – District 1 – 12:15pm – 1:30pm - Cooper's Food and Drink 5928 N 26th St, Tacoma, WA 98407
Constituent Services Updates
Over the course of May our office addressed 52 constituent concerns. The most common topics included Code enforcement, transportation and road issues, and economic development across Tacoma.
A Tacoma resident recently brought concerns to my attention about an RV parked in their neighborhood that was creating safety and access issues for nearby homes. Situations like this are important to address because residents deserve to feel safe in their neighborhoods and confident that public spaces are being used responsibly. Current rules can make enforcement difficult, especially when vehicles are moved slightly every few days to remain technically compliant. I’m working with Council Member Hines on potential updates that would improve enforcement, including clearer permit requirements and parking standards, so we can respond more effectively to neighborhood concerns.
I want to thank readers for your continued interest in your city and the updates from my office. Please feel free to reach out to my office anytime through our communications form to share your concerns and questions.
