South Tacoma Tree Canopy Project

The City’s portion of the work focuses on tree canopy expansion within the settlement area, with added attention to the South Union Avenue primary truck route. While The Washington State Department of Ecology manages the overall settlement and broader use of funds, this webpage focuses on the City of Tacoma’s role in this work. Visit the Department of Ecology webpage to learn more about their role.

Background

In November 2024, Ecology reached an $8.95 million settlement with Bridge Point Tacoma to address air and stormwater pollution impacts in South Tacoma related to the increase in traffic and exhaust emissions from the warehouse development. These funds will be used to make improvements to the neighborhood to help reduce air quality impacts and monitor air quality in the surrounding community, with priority given to areas most affected by truck traffic. Robust community engagement by Ecology and other organizations working in the neighborhood supported several strategies, including planting trees along truck routes.  

Ecology and the City’s Urban Forestry Program developed a partnership to support implementation specific tree canopy and related site improvement work within the settlement area, including tree inventory and analysis, a neighborhood tree planting program, and planning and construction of capital improvements along South Union Avenue. Trees are one of several approaches being used to help respond to air quality concerns in the project area. 

Project Area

The settlement agreement between Bridge Point and the Department of Ecology requires the settlement money to be spent within a specific defined area of impact, knows as the “settlement boundary” in South Tacoma. Ecology conducted modeling to determine where within this settlement boundary the air quality impacts would be the greatest, which became the bases of the “priority zones” within the partnership between Ecology and the City’s Urban Forestry Team (refer to map).  Work will be prioritized in Priority 1, Priority 2, and Priority 3 zones according to the level of investment and impact. 

View larger map here >>

What the City is Doing

The City’s Urban Forestry Program is leading the implementation of tree canopy improvements, which includes three main phases: 

1. Tree inventory and planting analysis
   This first phase will help determine what tree planting opportunities exist in the neighborhood, and how to tailor an approach to increase tree canopy that is responsive to the neighborhood.  This tree inventory and analysis within the settlement area will identify existing trees, possible planting locations, and sites that may be suitable for future improvements, which will help guide where planting can happen and where constraints such as utilities, spacing, or site conditions need to be considered.  
2. Green Blocks tree planting program
   The second phase is a neighborhood tree planting program based on the Green Blocks model, a partnership with the City’s Urban Forestry Program and the Tacoma Tree Foundation. This will include outreach to eligible households, free street trees and private property trees for participating residents, and community planting activities. An estimated 600 residential properties may be eligible for this free tree program, which includes free planting assistance for those who would like support. The Phase One tree planting analysis will also identify potential “depave” sites, where the City can provide support with the removal of impervious surfaces like asphalt and gravel to create new tree planting opportunities.
3. South Union Avenue capital improvements
   The third phase includes the planning and construction of capital improvements along South Union Avenue, the primary truck corridor. While the final improvements are not yet designed, the concept includes planting strip improvements, conversion of unused central roadway space into a planted median, and a possible small landscaped public space near South 30th Street. Final design and construction details will be developed in 2027, with construction anticipated for 2028.

What Residents Can Expect

As the project moves forward, residents in eligible areas may see: 

• mailed information about the program  
• outreach from the City, Ecology, and project partners  
• opportunities to request free trees for eligible properties  
• community planting events 
• planning and construction activity along parts of South Union Avenue  

Note: Some tree planting and related work in the public right of way may require permits, utility locating, and property owner consent before work can move forward. Ongoing watering of planted trees will also be important during the establishment period. 

Funding

This work is funded through the Washington State Department of Ecology’s settlement with Bridge Point Tacoma. The City’s Urban Forestry work is being carried out through an interagency agreement with Ecology.  

Additional Information

• Washington State Department of Ecology: Bridge Point South Tacoma Warehouse Settlement 
• Project FAQ Document (coming soon)