I remember watching the Kingdome come down. That was awesome. The Kingdome was atrocious.

Watching the historic Luzon Building in Tacoma, on the corner of 13th and Pacific, come down on Saturday and Sunday, however, won’t be nearly as enjoyable. In fact, I’d go as far as to say it’s going to be sad — and not just because they’re not using high powered explosives. As many have pointed out, it’ll be sad because a piece of Tacoma history will be gone forever.

That said, I think it’s important to see the reality of the situation. The Luzon Building, trees growing out of its side and bricks crumbling, is literally falling down — a disaster waiting to happen. While many have been quick to throw leaders like Eric Anderson under the bus for not swooping in and saving the Luzon — like, somehow as a City Manager he’s got super powers and a tree that grows hundred dollar bills — the fact is plenty of efforts were made. The shit economy doomed all of them. This is the world we live in. It’s reality.

Let’s give Tacoma’s resilience a little credit here. We’re not defined by our buildings, or — to reference another hot button debate — even our future beams or berms. Tacoma is defined by its people. Our history and character is only lost or compromised if we let it be.

[Luzon Building, Saturday, Sept. 26-Sunday, Sept. 27, 13th and Pacific, Tacoma]