Skateboarders could soon be welcomed in Tollefson Plaza

The City of Tacoma could temporarily lift a ban on skateboarding in Tollefson Plaza as part of a three-month pilot program that could begin later this month.

Currently, skateboarding is prohibited in the plaza, which is located near South 17th Street and Pacific Avenue, in downtown Tacoma. A proposal presented by Tacoma City Councilmember Marty Campbell would remove “no skateboarding” signs from the area and allow the activity between the hours of 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. If approved by Tacoma City Council, the three-month Tollefson Plaza Skateboarding Pilot Project would begin on Sun., June 21, which is also the annual, internationally-recognized “Go Skateboarding Day.”

“I have met with leaders from the University of Washington, the Tacoma Art Museum, the Washington State History Museum, the Convention Center, the Marriott, and the Tacoma Police Department to let them know of this plan and received no objections,” wrote Councilmember Campbell in a June 11 memo to Tacoma City Council. “As our City continues to revitalize downtown, and as skateboarding moves in from society’s margins, the time is now to allow skateboarding in Tollefson Plaza.

“I will be in communication with local stakeholders during and after the pilot to gauge how it is working for the neighborhood and whether the policy should continue after three months,” he added.

Tacoma City Council is scheduled to discuss the proposal during a study session at 12 p.m. on Tues., June 16, at Tacoma City Hall, located at 733 Market St. (Room 16), in downtown Tacoma. A copy of the agenda is available online here.