It’s hard to be thankful, even with an awesome new president, a historic shift in socio-political dynamic, the recent, symbolic exorcism of several political demons, and a holiday or two right around the corner. Seasonal displays of reindeer finger puppets, Christmas lights and green and red M&Ms aren’t cheering me up like they normally do.  

 

But you know what does cheer me up? The Luzon Building, new commuter programs and the development of a long-overdue parking plan for downtown Tacoma, and expansion plans at the University of Washington Tacoma. These are a few of the reasons for good cheer that will be shared with people who can afford a $35 entry fee to this week’s City Center luncheon at the Tacoma Club. So, rather than let the great barons of Tacoma hoard all the good news, I thought I’d let you know what’s what — ahead of time even.  

 

First off, it sounds like the magicians at the Gintz Group are going ahead with redevelopment of legendary eyesore The Luzon Building, which is likely to break ground in December, says construction manager Karsen Keever. 

 

Keever and the folks at the GG have their work cut out for them, and aren’t likely to make much money on this project. Consider it a Christmas miracle, but they’re doing it for what appear to be genuinely altruistic reasons. Keever says he and his team are getting creative as they try and fit the project into what he concedes is a very small budget for a project of this size. Luckily, the City of Tacoma chipped in a $1.65 million, 15-month, interest-free loan. Also, the economic crisis and resulting drop in commodities prices has made steel, concrete, drywall and other building materials somewhat affordable again. The Gintz Group plans to move its offices to the profoundly historic building, which will be renamed the Burnham and Root Building after original architects Daniel Burnham and John Root. 

 

“It looks like we’re on for the middle of December,” says Keever, “assuming all the pieces fall into place.” 

 

Also on the docket is an update regarding several nuts-and-bolts partnerships designed to make Tacoma a little more metro. Weekly Volcano “Best Political Pimp of 2008,” Marty Campbell will provide an update on paid parking strategies for downtown Tacoma, for example. If I were psychic, I would predict that Campbell will announce some softening by opponents of paid parking and smart meters downtown, which will likely become a reality in exchange for changes to Tacoma’s outdated off-street parking requirements. I also imagine that there will be a more solid plan for distribution of parking revenues among various neighborhoods. Look for an announcement about streetcars. I’m hazy on the specifics of this one.  

 

Look for the University of Washington Tacoma Master Plan to be aggressive about dormitory development — an idea that wasn’t even a twinkle when the school first opened nearly 20 years ago. Freshmen and sophomore students have created new demands at the college, forcing planners there to change the Master Plan update that was approved in 2003. The influence of the evolving student body will likely mean incorporating plans for health facilities, expanded recreation facilities, residence halls and other perks. Also, expect announcements about efforts to acquire additional land in and around the university’s 46-acre footprint downtown, which isn’t much considering UWT’s long-range goal of serving 10,000 students.