The University of Washington Tacoma (UWT) came one step closer to transforming itself into a four-year educational institution yesterday when the college’s chancellor, the mayor, and private developers broke ground on a new $24 million, three-story, 309-car parking garage and five-story, 129-unit apartment building at 17th Street and Court C on its downtown campus.

When the multi-use project is completed in 2006, the garage will be owned and operated by Seattle developers Lorig Associates, and the apartments will be owned and operated by the university.

“This project is an example of how great things can be accomplished with both public and private investment,” said UWT Chancellor Patricia Spakes, who was hired on Jan. 6 and started on April 6. Spakes said the project contributed to the university’s larger vision of designing a campus that contributes to cultural life in downtown Tacoma.

Indeed, the university, city officials, and developers hope Court 17 will add to the recent revitalization efforts in the area. According to Spakes, housing provided by Court 17 will help draw people into the community to support amenities that will benefit business owners and students. “This project is extremely creative,” said Spakes. “It avoids filling the campus with large open parking lots and, instead, creates a safe and open space.”

The garage portion of the project is funded with $3 million provided for Phase 2 of campus construction, a $1 million low-interest loan from the City of Tacoma and $3.1 million in bank financing.

Both the garage and apartment complex were designed by Mithun Architects of Seattle. The parking garage, which will be completed first, will be constructed by Berschauer Phillips and should be finished in late 2005.

Construction of the apartment will be completed by Walsh Construction Co. Apartments should be available for rental in late 2006.

UWT students and faculty will be given first choice when the market-rate apartments are available, but the general public will also be able to rent units in the complex.

“This project is a point of history in the development of this campus,” said Tacoma Mayor Bill Baarsma. “The university has come a long way in the past 10 years.”

Earlier this year, the House and Senate passed a bill authorizing UWT to transition to a full four-year baccalaureate institution. Governor Christine Gregoire is expected to sign that bill on May 4 in a ceremony at UWT. Additionally, the 2005-07 state budget provides funding for 100 new upper-division FTEs students for autumn 2005, for another 100 upper-division FTE students for autumn 2006, and for 125 lower-division FTE students for autumn 2006. And a new agreement promising transfer students nearly three-quarters of UWT’s undergraduate seats was signed March 26 by UW President Mark Emmert and representatives from the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges and the Higher Education Coordinating Board.

“The University of Washington Tacoma is engaged with the city and the region in many important ways,” said Baarsma, who recalled an earlier era in downtown Tacoma, when the streets were “bustling” with shoppers. When a decision was made to move the retail core to a mall in South Tacoma, according to Baarsma, much of that activity disappeared.

“This project ties in well with the essence of the city’s strategic plan,” he said. “Part of that planning involves downtown living, which is an important objective for the city. This project is a critical piece to meeting that objective.”