University of Washington Tacoma officials Tuesday celebrated the grand opening of the $25.3 million renovation of the Russell T. Joy Building, located at 1716-1730 Pacific Avenue on the school’s downtown Tacoma campus. Built in 1892 during Tacoma’s boom days, the Joy Building has been home to businesses that have made candy, wood stoves, paper and gloves, and sold hardware, coffee, tea, tires and Studebakers. Dale Chihuly used it as a staging area for the glass artwork featured in the nearby Bridge of Glass. Beginning this spring, the completed three-story building, which includes the original industrial-strength beams throughout the building, will provide much-needed classroom and office space. Much of the old wood taken from the building was re-milled into beautiful new railings and built-in benches. A heavy-duty freight elevator motor was salvaged and hung as an interesting artwork above a stairwell, and two 19th century metal fire doors were salvaged and remain on display in the building. On the Pacific Avenue side of the Joy Building, retail space for up to five stores complete the block of shops and restaurants leased from the university. UW Tacoma officials, supporters, and community members marked the project’s completion during its “Foundations of Progress” event, which also marked the ground-breaking for the next UW Tacoma construction project — the new-construction Tioga Library Building.

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For earlier Tacoma Daily Index coverage of the Russell T. Joy Building renovation, read the following:

I. UW Tacoma Joy Building grand opening March 15 (03/14/11) — http://www.tacomadailyindex.com/portals-code/list.cgi?paper=88&cat=23&id=1940727&more=0

II. RSVP today to attend UW Tacoma Russell T. Joy Building grand opening (01/18/11) — http://www.tacomadailyindex.com/portals-code/list.cgi?paper=88&cat=23&id=1909909&more=0

III. Building renovation destroys historic ghost mural (06/01/10) — http://www.tacomadailyindex.com/portals-code/list.cgi?paper=88&cat=23&id=1780198&more=0

IV. Tough lesson learned in historic ghost mural destruction (07/08/10) — http://www.tacomadailyindex.com/portals-code/list.cgi?paper=88&cat=23&id=1802135&more=0

V. Demolition begins on UW Tacoma’s Joy Building (08/21/09)

The last remaining vacant building on the Pacific Avenue side of the University of Washington Tacoma campus is set to receive a total makeover, completing the four-block-wide “face” of the campus. Renovation on the historic Russell T. Joy Building, which had fallen into disuse, will create much-needed faculty offices and classrooms for a growing student body. The university expects an estimated 3,000 enrolled students this academic year.

UW Tacoma Chancellor Pat Spakes made remarks in a brief event yesterday marking the beginning of the project.

“This fall, over 3,000 students will study on this campus, and we are short on space,” she said. “We need more classrooms, and we need more faculty and staff offices. We need a permanent home for our largest academic unit, the Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences program. Renovation of the Joy Building will accomplish all of that.”

Work begins now with demolition of some parts of the site in preparation for the later construction that will commence this fall. The university will try to salvage and repurpose usable materials, such as old-growth fir beams, as was done in previous campus renovations. In particular, the building’s metal fire doors and old elevators may become points of interest within the structure.

A groundbreaking ceremony to kick off construction is planned for Oct. 6 at 3:00 p.m. in Philip Hall on the UW Tacoma campus.

The Joy Building renovation is part of a $34 million capital construction package from the Washington State Legislature, intended to stimulate the economy by providing construction jobs. This support also includes funding for the addition and renovation of three labs in the Science Building — already under way — and building infrastructure to support future campus construction up the hill.

UW Tacoma moved into the historic Warehouse District campus in 1997. Approximately one-third of the planned 46-acre campus will be complete when the Joy Building is opened in spring 2011. The campus design has received much recognition for creative preservation and rehabilitation of the century-old buildings along Pacific Avenue, including a National Trust for Historic Preservation Honor Award and the American Institute of Architects Honor Award for Urban Design.

Russell T. Joy came to Tacoma in 1888 and worked as a clerk for the Tacoma Land Company. Soon after, he went into business as a builder and real estate developer. In 1892, he commissioned three buildings to be constructed in the Warehouse District, including the one that bears his name. The architects were Pickles and Sutton, a firm that designed many distinguished buildings in Tacoma, including the National Bank of Tacoma.

Since it was constructed in 1892, Mr. Joy’s namesake has been home to a wide variety of industry, including a wholesale grocery, a paper company, a stove manufacturing business, a candy company, a glove maker, and a number of automobile-related businesses, including a Firestone Tire store and both Studebaker and Oldsmobile distributors.

VI. State budget troubles could tweak UWT Joy Building renovation (07/24/09)

By Todd Matthews, Editor

You don’t need to be a financial expert to understand the budget headache Gov. Chris Gregoire and Washington State legislators faced earlier this year.

A $9 billion deficit was projected for the 2009-2011 biennial budget. When Gregoire signed the final budget May 19, it impacted a long list of items. It reduced funding for salary increases for represented or non-represented state and higher education employees, slashed state pension contributions, and called for administrative reductions in state agencies (among other things).

One funding gap was also felt on the University of Washington Tacoma campus — specifically, money for new faculty offices and classroom space on a campus that has logged record enrollment.

UW Tacoma officials made a $54 million capital request to fund its “Phase 3” plan. The plan, whose projects would have been completed by Autumn 2011, included:

1. Russell T. Joy Building — Renovation and adaptive re-use of the 47,700 square foot building between Commerce Street and Pacific Avenue to create classroom space for more than 600 students, office pace for academic support staff, and a row of retail spaces along Pacific Avenue;

2. Jefferson Avenue Building — Construction of a new four-story, 40,000 square foot building to accommodate a library expansion and two levels of office and program space for faculty and administrators;

3. Science Building — A renovation of three rooms in the existing Science Building to create wet/dry labs.

The university received $34 million of the $54 million request. The funding gap left UWT officials to scramble for offices for faculty and administrative staff.

The issue received serious attention during the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) meeting July 22.

The Joy Building, located at 1716-1730 Pacific Ave. on the university’s downtown campus, was constructed in 1892. It is located within the Union Depot / Warehouse Historic District, which is listed on the Tacoma and National Registers of Historic Places. The building was once home to various wholesale and retail firms, but now sits vacant. A $15 million renovation of the building is moving forward. On Feb. 25, the LPC approved design plans for the first two phases of the three-phase project. The renovation should be completed by the time students begin the fall quarter in 2011.

On Wednesday, the LPC reviewed a plan to remove double-hung wood windows and replace them with aluminum clad wood windows. Similar work has been done on other UWT buildings.

But the commission also learned UWT officials were considering using the proposed Pacific Avenue retail spaces for classrooms and offices. The plan concerned several commissioners who had hoped street-level retail would increase foot traffic downtown and enhance the area.

“For years, people have walked by a blank wall,” said Commissioner Pamela Sundell. She was referring to the Joy Building’s boarded up windows that have faced Pacific Avenue for decades. Sundell argued blinds would cover those offices and classrooms fronting Pacific Avenue. “That’s what we’re going to have again — blank walls going up.”

“It creates a big dead spot in what the city expected to be a vital shopping area,” added commissioner Fred King. He said the university and City Hall had a shared interest in seeing the campus grow while also enhancing retail and street activity downtown. “I think the university is abandoning that commitment,” said King. “I don’t know who should protect the city’s interest here.”

Ysabel Trinidad, UWT’s Vice Chancellor of Administrative Services, told commissioners replacing retail space with classrooms and offices was a “difficult” decision and not a desired alternative. But the university had few options in light of a tough economy and growing demand for services. “We want to find another solution as quickly as possible,” she said.

In all of this discussion, however, one aspect was almost overlooked: the LPC only had jurisdiction over the building’s design. “The commission does not have authority over blinds or land use,” Reuben McKnight, Tacoma’s historic preservation officer, reminded the commission.

That didn’t stop commissioners from voicing their concerns. In one motion, the commission approved the removal and replacement of the building’s windows. In another motion, it directed McKnight to draft a letter outlining its concerns to Tacoma City Council and university officials.

VII. A new chapter for historic downtown building (03/03/09)

By Todd Matthews, Editor

Last week, the City of Tacoma’s Landmarks Preservation Commission approved design plans for the first two phases of a three-phase, $15 million renovation of the Russell T. Joy Building.

The building, located at 1716-1730 Pacific Ave. and on the University of Washington Tacoma’s downtown campus, was constructed in 1892 and is located within the Union Depot / Warehouse Historic District, which is listed on the Tacoma and National Registers of Historic Places. The building was once home to various wholesale and retail firms, but now sits vacant.

A renovation would help meet educational and faculty needs, and provide retail on the first floor which fronts Pacific Avenue. When completed in fall 2011, the building is expected to serve an additional 600 UWT students.

Officials from UWT and THA Architecture, the Portland, Ore.-based firm designing the renovation, indicated they would seek permits for the first two phases of the project in March and late-May.

The print edition of the Feb. 27 Tacoma Daily Index included current photographs of the building. Today, we look at some of the illustrations prepared by THA Architecture and submitted as part of the design review application. For additional photos, pick up a print edition of the Index.

In December, Gov. Chris Gregoire submitted a capital budget to the Legislature that included $34 million for the third phase of UWT’s campus expansion, which includes the Joy Building renovation.

http://i.feedtacoma.com/TDI-Reporters-Notebook/new-chapter-historic-joy-building-001/

VIII. Vote clears way for UWT Joy Building early-phase renovations (02/27/09)

By Todd Matthews, Editor

The City of Tacoma’s Landmarks Preservation Commission voted Wednesday to approve design plans for the first two phases of a three-phase, $15 million renovation of the Russell T. Joy Building.

The building, located at 1716-1730 Pacific Ave. and on the University of Washington Tacoma’s downtown campus, was constructed in 1892 and is located within the Union Depot / Warehouse Historic District, which is listed on the Tacoma and National Registers of Historic Places. The building was once home to various wholesale and retail firms, but now sits vacant.

According to university officials, a renovation would help meet educational and faculty needs, and provide retail on the first floor which fronts Pacific Avenue. When completed in fall 2011, the building is expected to serve an additional 600 UWT students.

During the meeting Feb. 25, the landmarks commission approved the interior demolition and abatement, exterior/interior masonry restoration, and the removal of street level exterior plywood walls and windows along Pacific Avenue and Commerce Street. It also approved roof and interior structural demolition, and installation of new structural work.

A third phase would involve removing double-hung wood windows and replacing them with aluminum clad wood window. However, a report on the condition of the existing windows is currently pending. The third phase would also include installation of mechanical engineering, plumbing, and interior systems. This proposed phase will be reviewed by the commission at a later date.

Officials from UWT and THA Architecture, the Portland, Ore.-based firm designing the renovation, indicated they would seek permits for the first two phases of the project in March and late-May.

In December, Gov. Chris Gregoire submitted a capital budget to the Legislature that included $34 million for the third phase of UWT’s campus expansion, which includes the Joy Building renovation.

IX. Tacoma’s Landmarks Preservation Commission will hear UWT Joy Building renovation plans (02/20/09)

By Todd Matthews, Editor

The City of Tacoma’s Landmarks Preservation Commission is scheduled Feb. 25 to discuss a design review application related to a $15 million renovation of University of Washington Tacoma’s Russell T. Joy Building.

The Building, located at 1722 Pacific Ave., was constructed in 1892 and is located within the Union Depot / Warehouse Historic District, which is listed on the Tacoma and National Registers of Historic Places. The building was once home to various wholesale and retail firms, but now sits vacant.

UWT officials plan to renovate the building to meet educational and faculty needs, and provide retail on the first floor which fronts Pacific Avenue. When completed, the building is expected to serve an additional 600 UWT students.

According to the design review application, the Joy Building renovation is comprised of three phases:

— Phase 1 / interior demolition and abatement and exterior/interior masonry restoration. The street level exterior plywood walls and windows will be removed at Pacific and Commerce;

— Phase 2 / roof and interior structural demolition. In conjunction with the structural demolition, the new structural work will be installed;

— Phase 3 / removal of existing double hung wood window systems and replacement with aluminum clad wood window systems (pending review of the Condition Assessment Report) and installation of mechanical engineering and plumbing and interior systems as well as site work.

In December, Gov. Chris Gregoire submitted a capital budget to the Legislature that included $34 million for the third phase of UWT’s campus expansion, which includes the Joy Building renovation.

The commission will meet Weds., Feb. 25 at 5:00 p.m. at Tacoma Municipal Building North, 728 St. Helens, Room 16. For more information, visit http://www.tacomaculture.org/historic/resources.asp .