Project Chronicles

Tacoma Convention Center

Tacoma, Wash.

At $89.7 million and 220,000 square feet, the Tacoma (Wash.) Convention Center is the largest construction project in the city since the Tacoma Dome in 1983. The public/private venture includes a five-story convention center, two parking garages, 10,000 square feet of retail space, 76 residential units and a 175-room hotel, which is currently in the feasibility stage of development.

"Project Chronicles" will continue to report on the convention center project, which will be completed in 2004. This new monthly column will also closely follow two additional projects: 835 Market Street and Union Pacific Center (see below), with updates on project status, challenges and collaboration of the building team. Also, visit "Project Chronicles" at www.bdcmag.com.

The master plan was codeveloped by design architect MulvannyG2 Architecture of Bellevue, Wash., and architect of record Merritt+Pardini, Tacoma. Other building team members include the City of Tacoma, Minneapolis-based general contractor Mortenson and Dallas-based urban design architect Huitt-Zollars. Subcontractors have not been chosen.

The project is the centerpiece of a massive effort by the city to redevelop the downtown business district and waterfront areas. Related projects include the $63 million Museum of Glass, the 50,000-sq.-ft. Tacoma Art Museum and expansion of the University of Washington campus.

Schematic designs for the convention center were completed in early October and sent to Mortenson for review.

The structure will feature an arched roof and a grand lobby with a 90-ft.-tall glass atrium. "We wanted to connect the inside to all the outside street activity," says Ming Zhang, vice president and design principal with MulvannyG2.

The convention center's most significant — and controversial — design feature is a 400-ft.-tall, pyramid-shape tower, which is not included in the project budget. The project team is currently working with the city and outside sources to secure funding for the structure.

Before work on the project can begin, the site, which contains 16 existing buildings, must be cleared. "The buildings on the site are older, masonry structures anywhere from two to four stories high," says Susan Smith, preconstruction services manager with Mortenson.

Although plans for the private development are not finalized, and parts of the site may not be utilized for some time, Smith says all 16 buildings will be demolished "at one time, under one contact, to realize cost savings."

The City of Tacoma began accepting bids for the demolition work on Oct. 31. A low bid was submitted by Tacoma-based R.W. Rhine, but Smith says a contract has not been awarded yet. Demolition is expected to begin this month.

A historic structure on the site, the 111-year-old Waddell building, will be restored and incorporated into the new hotel, according to Scott Harm, principal in charge with Merritt+Pardini. "One of the hoteliers bidding for the site is proposing to build its swimming pool on the ground floor of the building," says Harm. "It'll be somewhat of a crown jewel of a pool."