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<br /> Task C2: Tacoma Downtown-South Catalyst Investment Strategy(South Corridor). If the region is to meet VISION
<br /> 2040's resource protection,climate change, smart growth, and sustainability goals,the City of Tacoma, as one of the
<br /> region's metropolitan cities, must support approximately 8 percent of the region's total population and employment
<br /> growth between 2000 and 2040. Much of this growth can be accommodated in a revitalized downtown Tacoma,which
<br /> has targets for an additional 60,000 jobs and 70,000 people by 2030.The adjacent Hilltop neighborhood has one of the
<br /> highest concentrations of poverty in the region. The Tacoma Dome multimodal transportation station offers both
<br /> significant potential for redevelopment and job creation, as well as an access point to the region's largest job centers.
<br /> This proposal facilitates this revitalization by undertaking a unique demonstration sub-area planning project under a 2010
<br /> Washington State law that: (1)authorizes area-wide identification of potential environmental impacts accompanied by a
<br /> system that provides for proportional,substantive mitigation for adverse environmental impacts; (2) mandates expanded
<br /> public participation for the area-wide planning and eliminates project-by-project environmental appeals; (3)mandates that
<br /> the sub-area plan act affirmatively to avoid displacement or fragmentation of business, existing residents,or cultural
<br /> groups; and, (4) requires innovative approaches to achieve the state's statutory goal of reducing greenhouse gas(GHG)
<br /> emissions to 1990 levels by 2020. It is important to note that Washington State law extends environmental review to the
<br /> built environment, societal issues, and greenhouse gas reduction goals and to substantive as well as procedural issues.
<br /> This approximately$650,000 project will pre-approve a minimum of 30 million square feet of new floor space in the 500-
<br /> acre south half of the Tacoma Downtown Regional Growth Center adjacent to existing light and commuter rail lines;
<br /> these figures could rise to$1 million and 60 million square feet, respectively, and include light rail and streetcar
<br /> extensions, if the City could secure additional funding to conduct similar work in the north half of the Tacoma Downtown
<br /> Regional Growth Center. See Appendix E—Tacoma Downtown-South Catalyst Investment Strategy Site.The up-front
<br /> expenditure provided through the Growing Transit Communities program funded by this grant is estimated to save$5.8
<br /> million in separate project-by-project environmental reviews, attract new regional investment incented by improved permit
<br /> processing times(for large projects reduced from years to weeks)and provide a model approach to streamlining and
<br /> facilitating major TOD redevelopments in existing metropolitan centers. It is estimated that for every 10,000 new jobs
<br /> added to downtown Tacoma over the next 10-15 years, approximately half will result in shorter commutes from nearby
<br /> neighborhoods. These shorter commutes result in cost savings associated with less vehicle operations and emissions,
<br /> less congestion externalities and accident risks.Taken together these cost savings (discounted to present values)are in
<br /> excess of$20 million. The estimated public investment from this grant application is$650,000, making the cost benefit
<br /> ratio 30:1.
<br /> • Task C2.1: RFP preparation; Environmental Consultant Selection (June 2011)
<br /> • Task C2.2: Conduct public meetings to establish the scope of Environmental Impact Statement(EIS) (October
<br /> 2011)
<br /> • Task C2.3.1: Develop existing conditions report, including: •Land use–inventory data, development trends,
<br /> land tenure, soil and groundwater contamination, and other characteristics based on available information;
<br /> Applicable plans, policies and regulations; Housing; Economic Development; Infrastructure systems and
<br /> capacity–transportation, public services, utilities;Archeological and cultural resources; Natural systems,
<br /> including aquifers and shoreline areas; Parks, open spaces, and cultural/historic resources of significance
<br /> (December2011)
<br /> • Task C2.3.2: Preliminary draft Goals and Policies framework for the sub-area plan. For the purpose of this
<br /> Scope of Services,topics to be addressed are assumed to include(1)Vision, (2) Land Use, (3) Housing, (4)
<br /> Transportation (5) Economic Development, (6) Open Space, (7) Natural Systems, (8) Infrastructure, (9)TDR,
<br /> (10)Aesthetics and design, and (11) Environmental mitigation measures and systems. (March 2012)
<br /> • Task C2.3.1: Develop draft sub-area plan, land use categories, and land use map for future action and adoption
<br /> by the City of Tacoma. The draft plan will include up front environmental review under SEPA,environmental
<br /> impacts and potential mitigations, planning and design of capital facilities, and planning for infrastructure and
<br /> Growing Transit Communities Consortium Agreement Attachment B:Work Program
<br /> Cooperative Agreement Instrument No.WARIP0042-10
<br /> DRAFT May 13,2011
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