Design discussion continues on Freighthouse Square Amtrak Station

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) will host two public meetings in Tacoma this month to discuss a new Amtrak station at Freighthouse Square.

The new station is part of the Point Defiance Bypass, which will reroute passenger trains to an existing rail line along the west side of Interstate 5 through south Tacoma, Lakewood and DuPont. “Fitting a modern rail station within the Dome District’s urban fabric is the ultimate goal,” said WSDOT Cascades Rail program manager David Smelser. “We encourage community members to learn where we are in the process and to share their ideas on moving forward.”

On Wednesday, the City of Tacoma and the Dome District Association announced a local architect will partner with City staff, Freighthouse Square officials, WSDOT, Amtrak, and the community to determine the best use and integration of a new station by completing space and conceptual feasibility analyses, as well as considering the siting of live-work units and historic preservation of retail and facade enhancement. A design report is due in March.

“Many were at first excited by the news that the State decided to relocate Tacoma’s passenger rail station at Freighthouse Square,” said Tacoma City Councilmember Robert Thoms, who reportedly met with State Representative Jake Fey and WSDOT leaders last week to underscore the need for additional local input into the project. “However, after a December meeting to share initial design ideas, it was clear that we needed more of a Tacoma voice and vision for this project. The vitality and continued growth of the Dome District is extremely important and we will remain vigilant to our local needs. Our needs are complex because this is a transit-oriented district. We were able to protect investments like the D Street overpass and, as we move forward, the example of making sure such investments aren’t obstructed are the type of Tacoma-specific needs we will protect.”

“This news is a tremendous victory for the Dome District and Tacoma,” said Dome District Association President Janice McNeal. “Our voices were heard. The City engaged our state partners to ensure this station meets our community’s needs. After all, we will be the ones using and living with the Amtrak station every day.”

The first public meeting will be held on Thurs., Jan. 23, between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. The second public meeting will be held on Thurs., Jan. 30, between noon and 2 p.m. Both meetings will be held at the Tacoma Municipal Building, 747 Market St., Room 708, in downtown Tacoma. Both meetings will have similar formats, beginning with a presentation on WSDOT’s design process, followed by input from attendees on the architectural elements of the Amtrak station.

More information is available online at wsdot.wa.gov/projects/rail/pnwrc_ptdefiance.