Category All Art Classes Classical Music Concerts DANCE Etc Exhibits Families Farmers Markets Film Happenings Holiday Holiday Lectures Music (non-classical) Theater

Submit events

PHOTO BY JOHN LARSON

MILLION DOLLAR VIEWS. Developers are attracted to Ruston by the magnificent views of Puget Sound and the Cascade Mountains. This photo shows what residents of The Commencement will look out upon when the condominium project is finished.

Condo project drives deep divisions

By John Larson

The construction crane is a dominating object in the sky above Ruston, and it serves as a stark reminder of the divisions that have developed in the town of 750 residents. Ruston, an incorporated town occupying one square mile, is bounded by Puget Sound to the west and Tacoma on three sides. While many Tacoma residents may give little thought to what they are passing through on Pearl Street on their way to Point Defiance Park, Ruston residents regard the thoroughfare as the western border of their city. Ruston is not part of Tacoma; whether it should become so at some point is just one more divisive question that is sometimes raised.  

Ruston was incorporated as a town in 1906. It was essentially established as a company town by William Rust, the man who owned the copper smelter that once stood along the shores of Commencement Bay. It was eventually acquired by American Smelting and Refining Company (ASARCO), which shut down operations in the 1980s.

Once there was another tall structure that dominated Ruston’s skyline – the smelter’s 571-foot-tall smokestack. An estimated 100,000 people gathered to watch its demolition in 1993.

Ruston was no longer a company town. With a limited base of small businesses, and the era of Tim Eyman initiatives slowly reducing sources of revenue small towns like Ruston depended upon, something had to be done to ensure the town would remain financially solvent into the future.

Enter Ruston Landing Group in 2004. It made an offer to purchase land owned by the town government for a condominium project.

The town ended up selling 1.25 acres next to the town’s historic schoolhouse to the developer for $4.25 million. The concrete and steel skeleton that is currently under construction serves as a reminder of how things are changing in Ruston.

The project, named The Commencement, has driven deep divisions into the community. As an example of just how heated public debate became, Tacoma Weekly reported on the council meetings during the period in 2004 when the matter was under consideration. The reporter, who lived in Ruston, came home one day shortly after the story was published to find literature from residents concerned about the project tacked up on her front door.

Newspaper reporters routinely cover controversial topics. For readers to go to a reporter’s home is virtually unheard of.

Kim Wheeler, who was mayor in 2004 and a strong supporter of The Commencement, was up for reelection in 2005. Michael Transue ran against him and was victorious. Many Ruston residents who opposed the project voted for Transue because of Wheeler’s support of it.

Ruston Town Council holds its meetings in a room in the schoolhouse. The Commencement rises just to the backs of the council members. They occasionally make references to the structure behind them in meetings.

The council has seen many changes recently. Wayne Stebner, who was elected to the council in late 2005, is now the veteran on the body. The council is much different than it was even six months ago in its makeup.

Del Brewer and Mary Joyce opted not to run for re-election last year. Jim Hedrick and Bradley Huson were elected to their positions.

Bob Pudlo, who had two years left on his term, resigned late last year. Dan Albertson ran for a seat last year. He made it through the primary but was defeated by Hedrick in the general election. Albertson was appointed to fill Pudlo’s position.

Bob Everding resigned his position in January. In his resignation letter, he described a “hostile environment” at council meetings as a major reason he stepped down.

The town issued an announcement seeking applicants for position 4, Everding’s seat. Applications were due Feb. 15.

During the March 3 council meeting, Huson said five people applied. After he said he supported Jane Crock Hunt, several people in the audience voiced their disapproval.

At that point Transue warned the audience he would bring the meeting to a halt if they were unruly.

“I struggle with this candidate,” remarked Hedrick.

Albertson also voiced support for Crock Hunt, describing her as a “superb” choice. “She is going to be a tremendous asset to this community.”

Crock Hunt was elected by a 3-1 vote, with Hedrick casting the sole no vote.

Crock Hunt is a member of Citizens for Ruston, a group that opposed The Commencement. She previously served on the town’s planning commission.

Story Tools