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Murray Morgan Bridge Rehabilitation

Status:  In progress

The City is in the process of rehabilitating the Murray Morgan Bridge.  The project is being conducted in two phases.  Phase One involves repairs to the bridge sections over the waterway, including the lift span, and repairs to the approach structures. These repairs will eventually allow the City to return vehicle traffic to the bridge without load restrictions. Phase Two consists of underground seismic upgrades, which is currently not funded.

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Click here for information on the history of the bridge.

Preservation Plan

Status:  Complete

A new Historic Preservation Element of the Comprehensive Plan was adopted on June 14, 2011 by City Council Ordinance 27996.

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Old Town Neighborhood Historic District 

Status:  Tabled

On September 15, 2009, residents of the “Old Town” Neighborhood submitted a written request for consideration of the neighborhood as a historic special review district overlay zone.  On June 22, 2011, the Landmarks Preservation Commission voted to table the nomination due to insufficient property owner support.

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Wedge Neighborhood Historic and Conservation Districts

Status:  Complete

The Wedge Neighborhood Historic District was established on May 24, 2011 by City Council Ordinance #27981, in response to a request submitted in 2008 by neighborhood residents.  

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West Slope Neighborhood Survey

Status:  Complete

Residents and property owners in the West Slope Area have requested consideration by the City for the establishment of a local historic special review overlay zoning district. Landmarks and Local Historic Special Review Districts are administered by Tacoma Municipal Code 13.07 and are managed as overlay zoning districts.  The City commissioned a study in 2009 to determine the feasibility of a historic district in this neighborhood, which included a historic inventory survey.

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Spanish Steps Rehabilitation Project

Status:  Complete

The Spanish Steps, in association with the adjacent Elks Building, is one of four pivotal structures defining the boundaries of the Old City Hall Historic District. The Steps, constructed concurrently in 1915 with the Elks Temple in the Beaux Arts manner, are modeled after the Scalinata di Spagna in Rome, and express the character of the Classical buildings clustered at the north end of downtown.

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Questions or Suggestions?

Email landmarks@cityoftacoma.org.