Tacoma, WA 48°F
As our world becomes increasingly high-tech, it can be difficult to maintain special historic places. Tacoma is full of sites with historical significance, and Historic Tacoma aims to preserve them all. The group maintains a WATCH List of buildings and sites that are in danger of demolition or deterioration or that are available for use or purchase. Help preserve a piece of Tacoma’s history by becoming aware of these places.
Old City Hall, a city icon, was slated to be sold at public auction last spring after being declared in derelict condition, but the Stratford Company, which owns the building, paid delinquent taxes and mortgage rates in order to keep the property. Extensive repair is needed; the Stratford Company has a $14 million plan for rehabilitation. However, it must first find potential tenants for office and retail space. The rest of the building is slated to be turned into apartments. Old City Hall was put on the Washington Trust’s 2011 Most Endangered Properties List and was nominated in Dwell magazine’s Rethinking Preservation contest as a way for the public to express its care for the building to the city and the Stratford Company.
The property of John R. Rogers Elementary School is currently for sale. The 3.7-acre property is listed at $985,000. Listing agents Brent Tayet and John Bauder of CBRE can be contacted at 253-596-0053 and 253-596-0047, respectively. The University-Union Club, listed on the Tacoma Register of Historic Places, is also for sale. The property is listed for $2.49 million; contact Aleta Benedicto of Williams Properties at 253-219-2654 for more information.
Sixth Avenue Baptist Church is currently being marketed as an events space. After its congregation couldn’t afford the upkeep of the building, it was sold to James Sheridan, who owns other property on Sixth Avenue. Visit www.eventson6th.com for information on renting the space.
The First Congregational Church welcomed Bill Greaver as its new minister in 2011 and is seeking new members who crave liberal theology and are enthusiastic about worshipping in a traditional building with Gothic architecture.
Blog by Editorial Intern Justine McDaniel
-OR- Email & Password
