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City Center

The Chamber's service area includes the City of Tacoma, the suburban cities of University Place and Fircrest, the unincorporated areas of Frederickson, Parkland and Spanaway, and other urbanized parts of Pierce County. The Chamber is involved in a number of development issues impacting and/or supporting economic development throughout Pierce County and the Puget Sound region, with staff and volunteers continually monitoring proposed actions of local agencies and governments to assess potential impacts upon business.

The Chamber's City Center efforts provide leadership in specific issue areas, such as downtown parking. The Chamber manages day-to-day operations of the Downtown Tacoma Business Improvement Area (BIA) and also sponsors quarterly City Center Luncheons that chart the progress of revitalization efforts.

A highlight of the spring City Center Luncheon is the presentation of the Chamber’s Annual New Tacoma Awards, which recognizes businesses and individuals that make outstanding contributions to downtown Tacoma.

 

Past Winners of the New Tacoma Awards:

 

Ghillarducci Award - recognizing successful new development, renovation or beautification.

Past winners:

  • 505 Broadway- The Sirius Group

  • Tacoma Art Museum

  • Thea's Landing

  • Avanti Spa

  • Prium Companies

  • Hotel Murano

  • Pacific Plaza

  • The Joy Building - 2011

 

Union Station Award - recognizing leading organizations, companies or individuals that have built or sustained momentum for revitalization.

Past winners:

  • Eric Cederstrand 

  • India Mahal Restaurant

  • John Tartaglia

  • University of Washington Tacoma

  • Grand Cinema

  • Jim Merritt

  • Gintz Group

  • Stan Selden

  • Children's Museum of Tacoma

  • Theater District Association - 2011

 

Popham Award - named in honor of the late News Tribune Columnist Art Popham, this award recognizes the individual that has done the most to build community spirit.

Past winners:

  • Layne Alfonso

  • Patricia Lecy-Davis

  • Sondra Purcell

  • Lisa Fruichiante

  • Marty Campbell

  • Benjii Bittle

  • Derek Young

  • Tami Blount - 2011

 

Schoenfeld Award - recognizing exemplary performance and pizzazz as a retailer.

Past winners:

  • Grassi’s Flowers and Gifts

  • urbanXchange

  • heel!Shoes

  • Aroma Coffee

  • LeRoy Jewelers and the Art Stop

  • hello, cupcake

  • Doyle's Public House

  • Dragonfly

  • Harmon Hub - 2011

 

NEW Public Places Award - recognizing the best activation of a public park, open space or area in the public right-of-way.

Winner: Spaceworks Tacoma - 2011