OCH Round Table Part #3
At our roundtable, we asked our attendees what they thought was needed in Downtown Tacoma.
Daz brought up the importance of a fully-functioning community that can support people in all aspects of their lives. Practically, this means not only having housing, restaurants, and attractions, but businesses and conveniences that residents really need. He says, “It’s one thing to have residential spaces, it’s another thing to have things that entice those residents that live in these spaces. You have to go completely across town to get gas. It’s the same thing for groceries.” And he’s right! Downtown lacks a lot of conveniences that community members should expect. If there is housing downtown, there also needs to be grocery stores, places for people to gather, gas stations, pharmacies, and the like. Building whole communities allows residents to flourish and stay in the neighborhood, while also offering an opportunity for entrepreneurs to be an integral part of the community’s framework.
Dion also emphasized the value of having safe spaces for kids to simply gather and relax. We want to make sure that downtown is a safe, welcoming space for all Tacomans, including families. Kids are our future, so it’s of the utmost importance that we provide for them and anticipate their needs. Ryan agreed here, bringing up the additional point of diversity especially in the business community downtown. In building a community that serves its members, we must prioritize the representation and uplifting of all people, especially those who have been historically marginalized in urban design.
