Ruston annexation spat ends with tentative deal
The City of Ruston and the Point Ruston development have reached a tentative agreement for addressing permitting activities at the Point Ruston development with the assistance of the City of Tacoma.
The agreement creates a collaborative process between Tacoma and Ruston for permit review in the portions of the Point Ruston development within the City of Ruston, which will, in theory, result in streamlined permit processing and greater consistency across the project.
The waterfront condominiums, apartments, entertainment, shopping and dining options at Point Ruston represent $1.2 billion in private economic investment, making Point Ruston one of the largest privately funded projects in Pierce County history.
“This partnership allows the Point Ruston project to move forward and results in significant benefits for the residents of Ruston,” said Mayor Bruce Hopkins.
“We are grateful for the leadership that has helped ensure Point Ruston can finish its transformation from a former smelter to a positive community amenity that benefits the entire region. For the residents of Point Ruston, the businesses that are located there, our neighbors and this whole community, we’re ready to get to work,” said Point Ruston developer Loren Cohen.
Once one of the largest successful environmental clean-ups in the nation, the Point Ruston neighborhood hosts a wide range of activities for individuals and families from trivia nights to blood drives, fun runs and birding classes.
“I have great confidence in the collaborative process that we have put in place to guide future development at Point Ruston. I’m glad Tacoma could assist Ruston and Point Ruston in completing this regional destination project,” said City of Tacoma Mayor Victoria Woodards.
U.S. Congressman Derek Kilmer was instrumental in bringing everyone to the table at a time when plans were moving forward for the Ruston side of development to annex into Tacoma under a proposal in review in Olympia.
“I am pleased that there is now a clear path forward, and I am hopeful this represents a new chapter of folks working together. I commend everyone who helped reach this consensus, including the cities, developer and the county executive. If our community follows the path they charted, we will fully reclaim what was once a hazardous waste site and reimagine it into a great addition to our community that leads to new jobs and new businesses,” Kilmer said.
Pierce County Executive Bruce Dammeier led negotiations between the parties. “I’m encouraged by the agreement reached by all of the parties involved in the continued development of Point Ruston,” said Dammeier. “When completed, Point Ruston and the upgraded Point Defiance Park will be an incredible place for local families and visitors alike.”
The negotiating parties signed the terms of the agreements in Dammeier’s office this week with the expectation that the agreements will be ratified by each city’s council at their regularly scheduled council meetings tonight.
By: Steven Dunkelberger
Source: Tacoma Weekly News