Tideflats Subarea Planning Project
The Tideflats subarea planning process is intended to create a shared long-term vision and more coordinated approach to development, environmental review, and strategic capital investments in the Tideflats. Completion of the subarea plan will support the ongoing eligibility for and prioritization of transportation funding in the regional manufacturing and industrial center.
The overarching themes for the subarea planning process will include:
- Economic Prosperity for All
- Environmental Remediation and Protection
- Transportation and Capital Facilities Planning
- Public Participation and Outreach
See the Tideflats Subarea Work Plan for more detailed information on anticipated planning outcomes.
Environmental, Cultural and Economic Importance
The Tideflats is a unique environment containing shoreline, river deltas, tidal creeks, freshwater and salt marshes, naturalized creeks, and river channel corridors.
With an area of over 5,000 acres of waterfront land providing vital saltwater and estuarian habitat for salmon, shellfish and other marine life, the Tideflats is an economic center that includes industrial and manufacturing and maritime activity in a world class port and is the ancestral lands of the Puyallup Tribe of Indians.
The area is also designated as the Port of Tacoma Manufacturing Industrial Center (MIC). The MIC is home to Tacoma and Pierce County’s highest concentration of industrial and manufacturing activity and is the work site for about 9,800 employees.
In recognition of the regional significance of the MIC, the City of Tacoma, Port of Tacoma, Puyallup Tribe of Indians, City of Fife, and Pierce County have partnered to develop a Tideflats Subarea Plan for adoption by the City of Tacoma as part of the City’s Comprehensive Plan.
Geographic boundaries
The Plan area is based on the current Port of Tacoma Manufacturing Industrial Center (MIC) which is defined both in the Puget Sound Regional Council’s VISION 2040 as well as the City of Tacoma Comprehensive Plan. However, studies and recommendations from the Plan process will likely extend beyond this Plan area, including the lands immediately adjacent to the MIC and depending on the topic under review (air and water quality, traffic impacts, freight corridors, land use transitions, economic impacts and strategies, etc.).
Planning for the Future
The Subarea Plan process will provide:
- Potential text and map amendments to other elements of the City’s Comprehensive Plan
- Potential Amendments to the City’s Land Use Regulatory Code
- Potential amendments to City Zoning districts
- Amendments to the Shoreline Master Program
- Information to support local and regional Capital Facilities Programs
- An environmental impact statement (EIS).