As the third largest city in Pierce County, Puyallup is home to more than 43,000 residents.  Most well known as the location of the Washington State Fair, Puyallup is also a vibrant business community with more than 2100 permits processed in 2024.  Several exciting projects are on the horizon for the city.

Through a Public-Private Partnership, a downtown redevelopment project called Seasons on Meeker will include a food hall + brewery, seven townhomes and a 5-story building with approximately 115 apartment units.   According to Meredith Neal, Director of Development and Permitting for the City of Puyallup, “this plan is an important catalyst project which will provide much-needed housing and revitalize an overlooked section of downtown near the Sounder train station.”

Another project at the corner of Shaw and Pioneer features a mixed-use development of 179 apartment units with amenity spaces.  The project will house a McDonald’s, a Hotworx yoga and several others.  Currently under construction, the first units will begin renting this summer.

A new housing development in the South Hill Regional Growth Center, called Bradley Heights is in the permitting process.  The project includes 236 residential units and amenity spaces, with 20% of the units designated as affordable units.

Voltage Park, a next generation cloud provider for artificial intelligence out of Silicon Valley has selected Centeris Data Center for its massive new cloud.  It will be bringing significant investments to the Puyallup market.  Other construction projects in Puyallup include the creation of a new Public Safety Building located at Benaroya South Hill Campus.  The former police station and jail in downtown Puyallup will remain as a new substation.  “This new police station will give the Police Department the space needed to provide modern services, replacing their small building that has been in use for 60 years.  Just think about how much the community has grown over those six decades! “said Neal.

Puget Sound Energy will create an operational training center for electric and gas utility works, as well as emergency first responders.  The facility will include classrooms and labs with an outdoor training area to create real-life training experiences.

Farm 12 continues to expand with a new Early Learning Center for approximately 200 infant, toddler and preschool children. Complete with an outdoor courtyard and play spaces, it will also include an outdoor farm school called the Grove School.  “Farm 12 is a social enterprise that supports mothers and families through job skills training at its restaurant and events center, and the addition of childcare is the next step in holistically supporting families.  A study by SSMCP found that the South Sound is a childcare desert, and the lack of childcare options is pushing young parents out of the workforce, so this is an exciting project that will help many families” Neal said.

Oh yeah, and did we mention the Fair is celebrating 125 years with a $28 million dollar renovation?  This renovation includes The 1900, a new food hall to replace the International Village with 6 new restaurants and a 2-story roof top bar.  The Gold Gate will have a new entrance at 9th and Meridian with a canopy and a fountain.  The Barn M will be demolished and replaced with a new entertainment area. And, adjacent to the Fair a new pedestrian-friendly street is being constructed by the city that will include wider sidewalks, improved lighting and areas for art and vegetation. Called a Festival Street, 9th Ave between Meridian and Fairview will feature a curbless design that, by day, functions like a regular street, but by evening, can be closed to host parties and events.

Puyallup is a city filled with small businesses that thrive.  Over 2/3 of businesses in Puyallup have less than 10 employees and half are single owner operators.  Neal said, “small businesses are the heartbeat of Puyallup, driving community spirit, fostering local innovation, and creating a unique tapestry of culture that makes our city thrive.”

The City of Puyallup is planning for the next two decades with a comprehensive plan called Puyallup 2044, Envision our Future Together.  For more information visit: bit.ly/Puyallup2044