Tacoma’s Tideflats represent a key driver of economic growth for the region and provide significant opportunities through global and domestic trade, energy production and manufacturing.

With its strategic location and access to markets such as Alaska and global partners, Port of Tacoma and surrounding industrial lands are essential to sustaining and expanding our regional economy.

Multifaceted approach

A critical focus of the Tideflats Subarea Plan is to enhance global and domestic trade, support for Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM), energy and manufacturing industries. This multifaceted approach bolsters our region’s economic position and strengthens long-term resilience.

Here are the latest updates provided by the Tideflats Subarea Plan Steering Committee, which will be responsible for developing an initial draft Subarea Plan for consideration by the Tacoma Planning Commission and the Tacoma City Council:

• • Commitment to existing businesses. The Tideflats steering committee has reaffirmed its commitment to support existing businesses by reducing barriers to investment and modernization. By making it easier for businesses to adapt to changing markets and adopt new technologies, the committee aims to foster a thriving, competitive industrial landscape.
  • Pathways for growth. The committee is also exploring new ways to attract private capital while leveraging state and federal funding to further accelerate growth. This effort aligns with a core goal of preserving industrial lands and restoring brownfields for productive use, ensuring that these critical spaces remain economically and environmentally viable.
  • Environmental stewardship. The legacy of environmental stewardship in the Tideflats is deeply intertwined with economic progress. The committee remains committed to habitat and environmental restoration, including the protection of watersheds like the Puyallup River. New conservation zoning will help protect investments in habitat restoration while reinforcing the compatibility between economic development and environmental health. Together, these efforts ensure sustainable growth for future generations.

A shared vision for the future

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.

For more information about the work plan and anticipated planning outcomes, visit the City of Tacoma website.