By Morf Morford
Tacoma Daily Index
You don’t have to look very closely to see that Tacoma is changing. From The Port, to neighborhoods or individual homes or building projects, every facet of Tacoma seems to be in a state of flux.
Any particular individual new project or building might not make a difference, but taken together, the accumulation of density, traffic, parking and a whole constellation of predictable – or even a few unpredictable – impacts can be overwhelming.
The Stadium District for example, has become easily the most population dense neighborhood of Tacoma – and Pierce County.
It probably has been for several years, but thanks to a few new buildings, it certainly holds more residents than any residential sector of downtown Tacoma.
Point Ruston, on the other hand, has grown from a population of exactly zero just a few years ago, to a continually expanding ultimate home for about three thousand.
And it is not just population growth that is changing the face of Tacoma.
Metro Parks new Dune Peninsula addition to Point Defiance adds a whole new chapter to recreation and perspective in and around Tacoma.
All these changes have taken years if not decades to come to fruition, and their impacts will define Tacoma for generations.
These changes, and many others, from zoning to traffic, will affect us all.
Some of us feel called, even destined, to be at the forefront of the multitude of decisions, compromises and sometimes even catastrophes of local governance.
You have a rare opportunity to meet the candidates for Tacoma’s City Council this Saturday.
Yes, Tacoma’s skyline is changing. So are Tacoma’s schools, neighborhoods, parks and possibilities.
And in case you haven’t noticed, Tacoma’s reputation is changing.
The real question in all these areas is whether Tacoma is changing in directions most of us would want it to.
Tacoma is small enough that most of us, if we care enough, can make a difference. Here is your opportunity.
