Port of Tacoma Commission and the Puyallup Tribe Council signed a major economic development agreement on Monday, setting the stage for additional port maritime expansion, cooperative marketing of port and tribal lands in the Tacoma Tideflats, and increased economic diversity for the tribe.
The agreement comes at a pivotal time for both the port and the tribe, each of which are currently working on two separate major economic development initiatives: The port is building a new container terminal for Evergreen Line, and the tribe is developing the Cascades Casino, a major new casino facility.
Under the terms of the agreement, the port and the tribe will work together to develop and market properties for maritime use on the East Blair Waterway, including land where the Tribes Emerald Queen Casino on Alexander Avenue currently operates.
The tribe will move those operations to a new location, and the port will actively support the tribe in its efforts to relocate its operations out of the port industrial area and into a more suitable location that provides growth opportunities.
The agreement focuses on relocation of the tribes Alexander Avenue gaming facility; a joint marketing and development of port and tribe land for shipping terminal facilities; environmental improvements; and widening portions of the Blair Waterway.
