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Tacoma Municipal Building Exterior Preservation Project

The Tacoma Municipal Building Exterior Preservation Project is an effort to refurbish and preserve this historic landmark.
Tacoma Municipal Building

Contact

David Pagel
Engineering Project Manager
(253) 591-5267
dpagel@tacoma.gov

The exterior of the Tacoma Municipal Building has undergone various assessments to identify cleaning and preservation needs. Prior to City ownership the building was sandblasted multiple times for cleaning. The sandblasting removed the smooth finish from the cast stone, causing it to become more porous. This has led to accelerated deterioration, including organic growth, water intrusion, cracking, and spalling.

Based on the completed assessments, full refurbishment of the building exterior is anticipated to exceed $20 million. Preservation of the building exterior will be completed through a phased approach. The City has allocated $4.5 million for the first phase, with ongoing efforts to secure additional funding for future phases.

Building History

  • Officially dedicated January 29, 1931, as the Rhodes Medical Arts Building, the Tacoma Municipal Building is listed on local, state, and National Registers of Historic Places.
  • The City purchased the building c. 1976, and the first City Council meeting was held on December 18, 1979.

Project Timeline

A comprehensive assessment of the building exterior was completed by Richaven Architecture & Preservation.

Additional observations were conducted by Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc. (WJE) to develop construction documents for the Phase 1 work.

  • On March 26, 2025, the project was presented to the Landmarks Preservation Commission.
  • On August 5, 2025, City Council approved Resolution No. 41728, awarding a contract to Western Specialty Contractors for the initial phase of the project focusing on cleaning and preservation work to the cast stone on the east façade (St. Helens) and west façade (Market Street).
  • The Landmarks Preservation Commission was updated about the progress of the project on September 24, 2025.
  • Late-October 2025, Phase 1 work is scheduled to start. Swing stage work platforms and pedestrian protection will be installed and will remain throughout the project.

  • Repair work and repointing will be occurring on the East (St. Helens) and West (Market Street) facades of the building. The building envelope will be sealed to preserve the work completed in phase 1 of the project.
  • Phase 1 work is anticipated to be completed by the end of 2026.
  • Knowledge gained will inform the scope of future phases. Including means and methods, refined quantities, durations, and estimated costs.
  • Continue to seek funding opportunities to implement Phase 2 through the City budgeting process, legislative requests, and grant opportunities, including the State Heritage Capital Projects (HCP) grant program.

Phase 2 will begin and will prioritize cleaning and preservation work on the south and north façades.