Cushman and Adams Substations

Located at the intersection of North 21st Street and North Adams Street in the Proctor Neighborhood, the Cushman and Adams Substations were built in the mid-1920s to bring electricity from Cushman Dam to Tacoma. For many years, the substations served as active parts of the electric system. The substations are distinctive features in the neighborhood and notable assets to the city as a whole. Learn more about the Cushman Hydro Project.

Tacoma City Council placed the Cushman and Adams Substations on the Tacoma Register of Historic Places in 2017. In 2018, a City Council resolution directed the City to engage the community on the future redevelopment of these historic properties. These efforts were paused in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Tacoma Public Utilities (TPU) is still actively using and maintaining the building and site, and plans to vacate and surplus it by 2027 following construction of an off-site replacement facility.

What’s Happening Now?

The City of Tacoma is studying potential future uses for the historic Cushman and Adams Substation sites and buildings. We’ve started doing broad, inclusive citywide engagement —including workshops and outreach events—to gather input on the vision and potential future use scenarios. This is a unique opportunity to develop future uses for these sites that serve the whole City.

Stay Up-to-Date on Cushman and Adams Substations Future Use Study

Learn more about what’s happening now at our online engagement platform!

Get Involved, Stay Engaged!

Join our mailing list to stay informed through the process! Email us at NeighborhoodPlanning@tacoma.gov to receive updates and learn more about engagement opportunities.

Events and Announcements

More information on events and announcements will be posted here soon.

Project News

Future Use Study project goals and timeline on Tacoma report (May 31, 2024)

Deputy Mayor John Hines featured on Tacoma Report on YouTube (June 14, 2024)

Project Factsheet

• English
• ¿Necesita esta información en español? Spanish
• Quý vị có cần nhận được thông tin này bằng tiếng Việt không? Vietnamese
• Вам нужна эта информация на русском? Russian
• Чи потрібна вам ця інформація українською мовою? Ukrainian

Past Community Event

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the project timeline?

Mid 2024-2025: Restart of project and community engagement, led by consulting firm Otak, Inc.; Generate and analyze different use scenarios for the site.

2025-2026: Decision-making about future use begins; permitting and constructing TPU’s off-site maintenance replacement facility.

2025-2027: Surplus process

• First right of refusal to local tribes
• Environmental remediation of the sites/buildings
• Exploring affordable housing options as required by the City
• Request for proposal from developers and/or other partners

2027-Beyond: Tacoma Power vacates the Cushman Substation; implementation of recommended steps.

What does the future hold for Cushman and Adams Substations?

The reuse study gives the community an opportunity to participate in the City Council and TPU Board’s decisions regarding the future use of the Cushman and Adams Substations. City Council directed the City of Tacoma’s General Government and Tacoma Public Utilities (TPU) to develop a Memorandum of Understanding to work collaboratively and engage the community in the future redevelopment of the properties.

During the next few years, TPU will continue  to identify alternatives for the equipment repair and storage currently taking place at Cushman Substation and identify environmental clean-up needs. The facility replacement and clean-up initiatives are ongoing. They will be executed according to the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding and informed by any future redevelopment plan(s) for the properties approved by the Public Utility Board and Tacoma City Council.

Email project staff at NeighborhoodPlanning@tacoma.gov to receive updates and information about upcoming engagement opportunities.

How are we using your feedback?

The scenarios studied in this project will be shaped by input from the Tacoma community (citywide) and residents from the surrounding neighborhood. Various engagement activities will provide opportunities for everyone to have input throughout the study effort. Ideas and comments will be gathered through this process (VISIONING) and filtered through technical feasibility analysis for potential future uses (see diagram) to create project alternatives (SCENARIOS), which will be brought back to the community for additional feedback.

How will the final decisions be made to determine the future uses of the buildings and sites?

The Public Utilities Board and Tacoma City Council will make final determinations regarding future uses of the sites. This decision-making process may begin in 2025, pending the completion of any additional follow-on technical studies that might be needed.

Resources and Documents

Existing Conditions Report and Appendices (January 2025):

• 2017 City Council Resolution 39741, Adding the Cushman Substation and Adams Street Substation to the Tacoma Register of Historic Places Nomination Form
• 2017 Tacoma Register of Historic Places Nomination Form

• 2018 City Council and TPU Board Memorandum of Understanding (Updated in 2024)

• 2018 Resolution No. 40429—A Resolution Amending the Policy for the Sale/Disposition of City-Owned General Government Real Property to Better Align with Current City Goals to Increase Prioritization for Affordable Housing and Equity

• 2020 Tacoma Public Utilities Surplus Real Property Disposition Policy 121

• 2024 Cushman Adams Substations – Proctor Neighborhood Plan Feedback Summary Report

• 2024 Cushman-Adams Future Use Study Community Engagement Plan

• 2018 Cushman Phase II Environmental Site Assessment Report

• 2008 Adams Street Substation Soil Investigation
• 2025 Preliminary Building Conditions Report

Other Resources and Documents:

• City Council and TPU Board Update (February 2024)

• City Council and TPU Board Update (July 18, 2023)

• City Council and TPU Board update (October 22, 2019)

• Project Update to the City Council (January 30, 2019)

•  City Council and TPU Board Memorandum of Understanding (July 24, 2018)
•  City Council Resolution 39741 (June 6, 2017)