It’s Summer! Updates from Council Member Sarah Rumbaugh
City of Tacoma Washington sent this bulletin at 07/02/2026 09:05 AM PDT
Hello District 2,
It's summer! My husband Stan is against taking vacation during summers in Tacoma because it’s the best time of year here, or that is what he thinks. I am more an autumn person, but I am on board for enjoying the wonderful weather. Now that school is out, there are more kids out and about. That means we need to be extra careful when driving in places where kids play, such as schools, parks, and neighborhoods. In my update I have I included some information on the City’s plan to add more speed cameras to help keep speeds down and save lives. I also have information on upcoming events in Tacoma, as well as information on the City Manager's budget and Roadmap for Recovery.
If you have questions about anything in my newsletter, or want to meet to discuss issues or concerns you have, please reach out to me at srumbaugh@tacoma.gov, or reach out directly to Sheena who does my calendar at sbutterfield@tacoma.gov. I care about our city and your issues are top of mind.
Tacoma’s 4th of July celebration is back! Head to the Ruston Way Waterfront where you’ll enjoy a full day of live music, food, entertainment, and craft vendors. The fun begins at noon and ends with spectacular fireworks over Puget Sound.
The celebration takes place at Dune Peninsula and Cummings Park on Ruston Way with over 150 vendors, live music, and a 20-minute firework display. The fireworks display can be seen from Dune Peninsula Park in the north, along Ruston Way Waterfront, and stretching to Jack Hyde Park in the south.
Recently I was able to join residents from Merrill Gardens for a ribbon cutting event highlighting the new crosswalk from Merrill Gardens to Wright Park. Merril Gardens residents had been requesting safer pedestrian access to Wright Park, and it was incredible to see this need fulfilled. I love when neighbors come together and take time to celebrate community wins and I am thankful I had a chance to be there and join everyone in safely walking across the street to the park!
The new crossing was a partnership with the City and Parks Tacoma. The project included pedestrian improvements on South G Street between Division Avenue and South 2nd Street, connecting Wright Park. There was a need for a mid-block crosswalk on South G Street that would support ADA access prior to the steep slope towards Division Avenue. Parks Tacoma agreed to make a financial contribution of $7,500 to the cost of the crosswalk improvements project. The remaining project costs were funded through Streets Initiative 1085 and supported nearby paving and ADA work.
Have you seen these signs? If you live in Northeast Tacoma, you are bound to have had someone pass you at high speeds on Marine View Drive. While the speed limit is 40 mph, people are sometimes caught going at high speeds. To deter hazardous driving behaviors and improve safety, the City Council took advantage of the broader authority provided by the State Legislature in recent years and expanded our Automated Enforcement Program. The City will be uncovering the rest of the sign when automated enforcement goes live soon.
Automated enforcement uses cameras to capture a license plate image when a driver commits a traffic violation, such as speeding and red light running. Location selection will be based on data analysis and equity. Each site will be evaluated using crash and speed data, land use, roadway design, planned improvements, and equity factors, such as the location of existing cameras. The city will be adding a camera southbound on Marine View Drive/ State Route 509 by the Sand Bar Restaurant. There will be an additional camera going uphill on Norpoint Way.
The City will add cameras throughout 2027. The goal is to get people to slow down so we can save lives. Studies have shown that with slower speeds, there is a chance people can survive a crash. Our goal is to change behaviors and use this as a way to make it safer for all who are using our roadways.
It has been a pleasure to work with City Manager Kim on our upcoming budget. The City has a biennium budget, meaning we update our budget every two years. During the in-between years, we make mid-biennium budget adjustments, which we call the “mid mod budget,” to make sure we are on track and adjust based on actual revenue and expenses. Like local governments across the state, Tacoma has had a structural deficit for several years. We are seeing expenses grow about twice as fast as our revenue. City Manager Kim is working to fix the structural deficit with his Roadmap to Recovery. I have included a link to the page discussing his plan. As a Council, our two primary jobs are to hire the City Manager and pass the City’s budget. My hope is that we can continue to provide the same level of service as we look for ways to trim the budget.
As an avid soccer fan, I have been loving all the World Cup activity in our region! I had the chance to ride in the Puyallup Tribe of Indian’s historic community parade and Opening Celebration to kick off the 2026 FIFA World Cup on June 12. The City has been a proud partner in supporting their fan zone and enjoying having a global event right here at home.
I also was asked to hide soccer medallions around Tacoma/ Pierce County for Visit Tacoma Pierce County. I placed medallions all over District 2 and in Pierce County for people to find. This one was placed at the Browns Point Light House. Yes, someone found it!
The Sound Transit Board made big decisions. They needed to close a $34.5 million budget deficit, and all promised projects were on the table.
I want to thank our champions on the board, Council Member Kristina Walker and County Executive Ryan Mello, for making clear that the Tacoma Dome Link Extension (TDLE) was non-negotiable. The approved proposal funds the TDLE without further delays.
Tacoma is the southern terminus of Sound Transit’s spine. Together, these big projects along the spine are critical to connecting our region through access to safe, reliable transit. Our voters, taxpayers, and riders deserve a truly regional transit system that connects them to jobs, schools, stadiums, the airport, commerce, and other essential services no matter where they live.
The Lowell Elementary Replacement Project is nearing completion. Students are scheduled to return from their swing school at Skyline Elementary to begin the 2026-27 school year in the new Lowell building. The district will be celebrating the first day (Sept. 9, 2026) with students and staff. A public celebration with students, staff, and community is being planned for early October; all are welcome. Final touches happening this summer include interior paint and finishes, landscaping, an outdoor mural, final street improvements, and inspections. This project is funded by the $535 million school construction bond voters passed in 2020. Please visit the project webpage for updates and an announcement of the grand opening celebration: Lowell Elementary Replacement Project - Tacoma Public Schools.
I had such a great time joining community to celebrate the completion of Phase II of the Prairie Line Trail! This project represents years of planning, partnership, and community investment, and it is exciting to see another important piece of this vision come to life.
The Prairie Line Trail is much more than a trail. It is a connection—linking neighborhoods, destinations, businesses, public spaces, and people. It creates a safer and more welcoming route for walking, biking, rolling, and gathering in the heart of Tacoma.
When the first phase opened, we talked about the importance of creating a protected and accessible connection through downtown and the University of Washington Tacoma campus. With Phase II complete, we are continuing that work and bringing us one step closer to realizing the full vision for the Prairie Line Trail corridor.
Projects like this help make Tacoma a city where people have choices in how they travel. Whether someone is walking to class, biking to work, visiting a local business, or simply enjoying a stroll with friends and family, the Prairie Line Trail provides a safe and enjoyable place to do so.
Right in the heart of District 2 is the new Maritime|253 Skills Center. Tacoma is a port city with deep roots in maritime and manufacturing. This center represents the future of that legacy, creating pathways for students to enter high-demand industries and strengthening the local workforce for years to come.
Before the skills center welcomes its first class this fall, I had an opportunity to tour construction of this facility. Made possible by the 2020 school construction bond approved by Tacoma voters, Maritime|253 is located on a 21.1acre site owned by the Port of Tacoma, alongside the Port’s new Maritime Business Center. Together, the two facilities reflect a long-term commitment to preparing students for in demand maritime and skilled trades careers.
As Chair of the South Sound 911 board, I have been working with other cities, fire commissioners, and Pierce County members on making sure that we meet the mission of improving emergency communications and enhancing public safety. South Sound 911 provides 911 call receiving, dispatch services, and records management for law enforcement, fire, and EMS agencies across the region. I am proud to serve as the Chair to find ways for us to make our system more efficient, and to provide long-term solutions for updating our infrastructure while at the same time we realize every day we increase efficiency through new technology. Our new Executive Director Kevin Yamamoto has already made many improvements that are helping us steward the funds we received through the 911 excise tax and a voter approved county-wide emergency communication tax. It was so great to get together in person with the full board this year for our annual photo. We’re working together to tackle balancing the budget and how we can provide equitable service across our entire region. It doesn’t matter who you are or where you are, you should be able to get ahold of South Sound 911.
In an effort to improve accessibility in the public right-of-way, Tacoma is updating its Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan.
Do you or someone you care for experience barriers when traveling in Tacoma? Please take our survey to help identify barriers, prioritize improvements, and shape a more accessible Tacoma for residents, visitors, and workers with disabilities. Survey results will guide the City's efforts to prioritize the improvements needed to make Tacoma's right-of-way more accessible for everyone.
The survey takes approximately 5 minutes to complete, is compatible with screen readers, and available in multiple languages.
The Old Town Summer Concert Series returns to Old Town Park every Wednesday in July and August from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., celebrating its 12th year of bringing free live music, family fun, and community connection to the heart of Old Town Tacoma.
Join community at the Pride Kickoff and Award Ceremony on Friday, July 10. There is a new location this year at Theater on the Square. Doors open at 4:30 p.m.
The 2026 Tacoma Pride Festival is scheduled for Saturday, July 11, 2026. The main event will take place at Wright Park (501 South I St) from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. This annual, family-friendly event is free to attend.
Tacoma Porchfest is a walkable music festival that takes place on porches. Meet your neighbors and find your next favorite band! July 18 and 19, 2026. 12 - 7 p.m.
SAVE THE DATE: Sunday, August 2, 2026. This free community event invites neighbors from near and far to enjoy a full day of sunshine, live music and entertainment, delicious local food, beer brewed right here in the neighborhood, and tons of summertime fun for all ages in the heart of the city. Come celebrate the 4th year of this incredible event!
Stop by the W.W. Seymour Botanical Conservatory this summer for weekend plant sales in the gazebo area every Sunday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Browse a rotating selection of houseplants, specialty planters, annuals, hanging baskets, tomatoes and perennials while supplies last. Whether you’re adding something new to your garden, refreshing your patio or bringing home a leafy friend, there will be plenty of plants to choose from.
