Jan. 4, 2008 at 12:36am

Changing of the Guard at City Hall: Can Strickland and Walker Help Retain Russell?

Swearing in Scheduled on January 8th

On December 18, 2007, Tacoma said goodbye to councilmembers Evans and Stenger with heartwarming stories told of their last years on council. 

Yet, there is no time for nostalgia and reminiscing.  Soon to be councilmembers  Marilyn Strickland and Lauren Walker are scheduled to be sworn in on January 8th at 5:00 p.m. at City Hall.  They will then be able to vote on the agenda for the night.  (links are to the Tacoma Index Interviews).

It appears that the challenges facing them will be heighted from day one.

Strickland often expressed her desire to help facilitate the building of a 40 story office building in downtown Tacoma.  Now she will be given such a chance with the Russell company.  Just to make it interesting, Russell has raised the stakes : double or nothing.  Perhaps the first Tacoman to be elected to city council in 50 years who lives downtown.  The only city council member with significant experience in the private sector.  Strickland is an at large representative.

(Photos courtesy of Todd Matthews)

District 3 representative Walker represents Central and Hilltop.

With a retail vacancy rate of 60 plus percent, Hilltop will need all of the skills Walker can muster for well placed investment in the area if the area is going to have a better future.  (What will it take for Hilltop to revitalize and become what the painted murals on the empty buildings depict?)

Strickland and Walker will be immediately be forced to deal with the "Russell Challenge."  (I think the official name is Project Destiny.).  There is little doubt that all members of the city council will be judged based on Russell's decision of whether to stay in Tacoma regardless if it is warranted or not.

Here's the mayor's take:

“We are currently in a full-court press to find a way to keep Russell as part of the Tacoma experience,” Mayor Bill Baarsma said. “I can’t think of anything more important as far as the continued viability of downtown.”

Housing demand and prices have dropped.  Projects around the city have been cancelled or delayed.  It will take far more finesse and skill to continue the rebuilding of the city than it has been for earlier councils.

The good news is the 2007 council has dispensed with some long contentious issues such as the Foss Waterway height and regulating pets and farm animals.

Godspeed Marilyn and Lauren.  You have your work cut out for you.