Tacoma City Council approved a resolution Tuesday authorizing the sale of a parcel of City-owned land to the Puyallup Tribe of Indians to enable the tribe to develop a justice center adjacent to its existing administration building.

Under the resolution approved by councilmembers, the 2,641-square-foot parcel will be sold to the Puyallup Tribe for $26,410. According to documents prepared by City staff, the City of Tacoma originally purchased the property, located adjacent to 3009 Portland Avenue East, in 1998 in order to maintain through-alley access between Portland Avenue and R Street.

Similarly, councilmembers also approved an ordinance vacating the alley right-of-way between East 30th and East 31st Streets, extending between Portland Avenue East and East R Street, for the future development of the tribe’s justice center.

The justice center is planned to be completed in three phases, according to the Puyallup Tribe’s Web site. The first phase will include a $8.8 million, 20,237-square-foot correctional facility with room for 43 inmates. The second phase will include a $4.5 million, 12,354-square-foot facility for police operations. The third phase will include a $6.8 million, 16,868-square-foot facility for courtrooms and legal services.

Councilmember Marty Campbell, who represents Tacoma’s East Side and the neighborhood where the project will be developed, thanked staff for working to complete the deal. He noted the project will be “a holistic approach” to consolidating the tribe’s criminal justice operations. “I know this will allow a $20 million investment in East Tacoma, so thank you very much,” said Campbell. “This will be a big step forward for the Puyallup Tribe.”