I know everyone's working like crazy to keep Russell in downtown Tacoma. And I'm all for it. But the risk of them going to Federal Way to build their own "campus" is a scary one. If they really want a less urban location, we need to still make sure we can still offer them a place in Tacoma.
With that in mind, I'd like to suggest a second option to the Haub site in the Downtown Financial District: the Nalley Valley. Perhaps even the beautiful warehouse that most recently has held "Ideal Home Furnishings."
Here's the case: Russell, you really want a lot of square footage on the same site. Done. You want easy freeway access. Done. And, as it happens, the Sounder will be running right by your front door. We could do a Russell campus station for you for easy mass transit, including a reverse commuter option from Seattle.
I really really do want Russell to stay downtown. But I think that if they are considering moving to Federal Way, we should have a better option ready to present about the options within Tacoma that are better than Federal Way.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
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2 comments:
How about if the city gives Russell the Cheney Stadium site, tears down the aging T-Dome (if it's resorting to "My Little Pony" shows do we really still need it?) and builds a nice new outdoor ballpark in the (former) Dome district? Having a near-downtown ballpark would be awesome, and Cheney would give Russell space for mini-Microsoft-like corporate campus.
That's an interesting idea. I still like my wacky idea better, though. ;)
I posted this on Exit133 about a month ago and it didn't get much attention. What do you think of this (in total or in parts):
• A shiny tall new Russell HQ building in the parking lot across from Old City Hall.
• A refurbished Elks Temple for Russell's open-floor-plan trading floors.
• Another building in the parking lot next to the Elks for more offices.
• A refurbished Old City Hall for yet more offices and maybe some independent retail on the ground-floor courtyard.
• A parking garage next to the north side of Old City Hall. It could even have a special ramp on/off I-705, which is right there.
• A renovated David's on Broadway to hold a street-level restaurant and a fitness/relaxation center exclusive for employees. The top floor could be a high-end penthouse for visiting big-wigs.
• A fancy historic Hotel Winthrop a block away, probably also with some fancy condos to make the project pencil out and to potentially be home to the richer Russellites. (Think Four Seasons in Seattle.)
• An LID for the length of Commerce from the 705 ramp to the Winthrop on 9th. This is an ugly, filthy neighborhood that could really use it. Bonus points for extending the LID up Stadium Way to the high school.
• A streetcar running from the current Link terminal with a stop between this big development and 505 Broadway, and then up Stadium Way and Division to stops at the Thriftway, the hospital, and the 6th Ave restaurant district (and hopefully even further).
I LOVE THIS PLAN because it finds great new uses for several beloved historical buildings, improves one of the nastier areas of downtown, and gives Russell a truly unique headquarters complex, not just another shiny skyscraper like you can find in lots of big cities. It has the easiest freeway access, streetcar access, it's close to condos and the nicest residential neighborhoods of Tacoma, and it has some of the best water views, plus a view of all of downtown Tacoma and Rainier. It just needs someone else to champion it, since no one's gonna listen to ol' NSHDscott!
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