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Metro Parks awards community center contract

By John Larson

Tacoma Weekly
jlarson@tacomaweekly.com
Published on: November 27, 2008

Metro Parks Commission took another step toward creating South Tacoma Community Center Nov. 24 when it awarded a contract for $180,000 for master planning to Miller Hull Partnership. The Seattle firm was one of 13 that responded to a request for proposals, a group that was narrowed down to four finalists.

Miller Hull was recommended by a steering committee that reviewed the proposals. The firm has prior experience with Metro Parks, having worked on the Nature Center at Snake Lake. It also worked on the Tacoma Community College Science and Engineering Building and Pierce County’s Environmental Services Building. It has worked on several community centers, including ones in Seattle and on Mercer Island. “This is a team that has an excellent record with community centers,” said Dick Ramsey from the planning staff with Metro Parks.

The firm will work on a master plan and pre-design for the project. They will be supported by Bruce Dees and Associates of Tacoma, the landscape architect.

The center will be located on the site of the old Mount Tahoma High School. Numerous programs and services will be offered at the complex, which will be a partnership between Metro Parks, Tacoma Public Schools and Boys and Girls Clubs of South Puget Sound.

Public meetings will be held in January and March for citizens to learn more about progress on the project. Ramsey said a master plan will be brought before the commission in April.

Commissioner Ryan Mello asked how the design will address the environmental impact of the project. Ramsey said Metro Parks is committed to at least a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design silver rating. “Our intention is to go higher,” Ramsey said. “We are very interested in having this building be exemplary from a sustainability standpoint.”

Commissioner Larry Dahl mentioned ongoing efforts to secure more funding for the project, which he feels will be helped by awarding this contract. “I am very excited and happy to see this move forward,” he remarked.

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