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City Council Authorizes $1.75 Million South Tacoma Tree Canopy Enhancement Partnership with Washington Department of Ecology

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Today, the Tacoma City Council adopted a resolution authorizing a $1.75 million Interagency Agreement (IAA) with the Washington Department of Ecology to launch the South Tacoma Tree Canopy Enhancement Project. Funded by mitigation funds stemming from a November 2024 settlement between Bridge Point Tacoma and Ecology, the City will act as an implementing partner to directly deploy green infrastructure within the South Tacoma neighborhood to mitigate long-term air quality, urban heat, and stormwater impacts.

"This project is a win for the Urban Forest Priority Action Plan and our goal to enhance Tacoma's tree canopy," said At-Large Council Member Kristina Walker. "Step by step we are going to get more trees in the ground and remove more impervious surfaces. The ability to put $1.75 million toward that goal is a substantial gain that we should celebrate. The South Tacoma Tree Canopy Enhancement project does not resolve all the neighborhood concerns about the warehouse project, but it is an important step in the right direction. The City remains committed to helping all neighborhoods, including South Tacoma, create healthier, safer, and more connected communities."

"This settlement is going to enable us to provide much needed support to South Tacoma and advance our work to create cooler streets, cleaner air, and a safer Union Avenue," said District 3 Council Member Jamika Scott. "Every dollar counts in our economic climate and the ability to focus $1.75 million on our tree canopy is very exciting. I want to share my gratitude with all the City staff and partners who worked hard to envision this new program and secure this vital funding."

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Running through December 2028, the initiative leverages the City's existing Urban Forestry infrastructure to implement a data-driven, three-phased neighborhood improvement plan. Key components include a comprehensive potential tree planting inventory, a grassroots "Green Blocks" program delivering free street and yard trees to homeowners, and major right-of-way capital projects along South Union Avenue—including constructing a planted median, expanding sidewalk planting strips, and transforming a right-of-way parking lot into a community parklet.

"South Tacoma deserves more trees," said Mayor Anders Ibsen. "You shouldn't have hotter summers just because of your zip code. This is one of the best investments we can make for the safety, beauty, and air quality of our neighborhoods, and I am so grateful to our neighbors and City staff for doing this crucial work."

"South Tacoma is a working-class neighborhood that has carried a significant share of environmental impacts over time," said Deputy Mayor Joe Bushnell. As Tacoma continues to grow and change, investments like this are necessary to make sure neighborhoods keep up with today's needs, including better air quality, reduced heat, and stronger day-to-day livability. This project directs settlement dollars into expanded tree canopy, depaving, and green infrastructure and I am thankful to everyone in South Tacoma who has championed long and hard for this investment."

"We know our residents place tremendous value on Tacoma's tree canopy, and I have heard from many people who want to see more trees and more shade in their neighborhoods," said District 1 Council Member John Hines. "As someone who grew up in South Tacoma, I know how valuable shade can be, especially in communities that need it most. This program is an important investment in neighborhoods, and it will help us continue making progress on the goals of our Urban Forest Priority Action Plan. This is a strong step forward, and I look forward to supporting this work as we continue building a healthier, greener Tacoma for every neighborhood."

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"South Tacoma residents have consistently advocated for more trees, more shade, and greater investment in their neighborhoods, and I appreciate the leadership of our Neighborhood Councils and community advocates who have helped elevate those priorities," said District 2 Council Member Sarah Rumbaugh. "We know that tree canopy is more than an environmental benefit. It is a public health investment that helps reduce urban heat, improve air quality, and create healthier, more resilient communities. This project directs resources where they are needed most and responds directly to what residents have been asking for."

"Since the warehouse project was first proposed, the Washington Department of Ecology has sought to address the impacts it would have on air quality and the South Tacoma community," said Bobbak Talebi, Ecology's Southwest Region Director. "We listened to people who live in the area about their concerns, then reached an agreement with the developers to fund a suite of investments that will help to protect the health of the neighborhoods affected by this project. And by partnering with the City of Tacoma and others, we're leveraging that funding to have an even bigger impact. We're excited to see those efforts begin to take root with this tree canopy project."

More information on timelines, tree availability, and neighborhood mapping is available at tacoma.gov/southtacomatreecanopy.

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