As we settle into the heart of summer, I hope you're finding time to enjoy everything Tacoma has to offer. From neighborhood events and local parks to our waterfront and small businesses, July is a great time to get out and connect with our community. This time of year, also reminds us how much people care about Tacoma. Whether you're volunteering, supporting a local business, or simply helping a neighbor, those everyday actions make a difference. Thank you for being part of our community. I hope you and your family had a safe and enjoyable July.

In this month’s newsletter:

• Street Measure
• Fishing Wars Memorial Bridge Replacement Project
• PBS Interview
• Constituent Services Updates & Stats
• Office Hours

Street Measure

Connect Tacoma: Safe Streets and Sidewalks Levy (Proposition 1) is on the August 4 primary ballot. If approved by voters, this 10-year measure would invest in safer streets, sidewalk improvements, road maintenance, and better connections throughout Tacoma. The proposal would generate an estimated $200 million in local funding and help leverage an additional $120 million through grants and partnerships.

I encourage every eligible resident to learn about the measure and make a plan to vote before the primary election. Your vote helps shape the future of our community. You can learn more here.

Fishing Wars Memorial Bridge Replacement Project

I'm pleased to share that Tacoma has been awarded a $7.6 million BUILD grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to support the next phase of replacing the Fishing Wars Memorial Bridge. This funding, combined with a local match from the Cities of Tacoma and Fife, will complete the environmental review and final design, bringing the project one step closer to construction.

Replacing this bridge is important for everyone who depends on it, from local residents and businesses to the Port of Tacoma and the Puyallup Tribe. I'm grateful to our federal delegation for helping secure this investment and to our regional partners for working together to move this project forward. Read more here.

PBS Interview

As I reflect on my first six months as Mayor, I had the opportunity to sit down with Paris Jackson of Cascade PBS to talk about the work ahead for Tacoma. We discussed the city's budget, homelessness, public safety, and ways to make homeownership more accessible for first-time buyers. I'm proud of the progress we've made, and I know there's more work to do. I invite you to watch or read the full interview to learn more about the priorities guiding my administration and where we're headed next. You can view and read the entire interview here 

Constituent Services Updates & Stats

As part of my commitment to responsive city government, every month I highlight constituent issues my office has handled so you can better hold my administration accountable. Read more below for information on what concerns we have responded to this past month:

Top issues: Transportation, safety, and ideas/suggestions

Constituent concerns we responded to this month: 59

The human face of constituent services: A Community Coming Together.

Courtesy of Tacoma Community House

Recently, a young Tacoma resident who had recently been granted asylum reached out to my office. Although eager to work, they were unable to meet housing income requirements because they could not yet legally accept employment, leaving them at risk of homelessness.

That very day, the Mayor's Office connected this resident with Tacoma Community House. They were then able to receive temporary stable housing while they await the documents needed to begin working. Tacoma Community House has also coordinated additional support, including transportation to appointments and future employment, connections to health and community resources, and a plan to assist with move-in costs and affordable housing once employment begins.

This story highlights challenges faced by newly granted asylees as they navigate the gap between receiving legal protection and gaining authorization to work. It is another example of how partnerships between community organizations, residents, and local government help people build a path toward long-term stability and independence.

Tacoma Community House is also a fantastic local organization, and I encourage you to learn more about the work they do!

August Office Hours and Locations

Each Wednesday, I hold office hours at different locations around Tacoma. It's a chance for residents to stop by, ask questions, share ideas, or talk about what's happening in their neighborhood. Meeting people where they are helps me stay connected to our community while supporting the local businesses and gathering places that make Tacoma unique. If you own or manage a location in Tacoma that would be a great spot for upcoming office hours, I invite you to share your suggestion using this form. I look forward to connecting with you!

• August 5 – District 1 – 3p – 4p – Taqueria El Sabor (1636 S Mildred St, Tacoma, WA  98465)
• August 12 – District 2 – 11:30a – 12:30p – The Fish Peddler Restaurant on Foss Waterway (1199 Dock St, Tacoma, WA  98402)
• August 19 – District 3 – 3:30p – 4:30p - Cerello's Pizza, Wine Cafe (4916 Center St, Tacoma, WA  98409)
• August 26 – District 4 – 1p – 2p - Mama's Teriyaki - 3814 Pacific Ave #104, Tacoma, WA 98418