Why we need a strong Pierce Transit
In case you haven't noticed, gas prices are up almost $0.40/gallon over this time last year. And it's possible that they will reach the same level as the summer of 2008. If you remember back to that summer, people turned to the bus in record numbers. And then in September the collapse of sales tax meant that right when people needed transit the most, Pierce Transit had to cut service. If we don't pass the sales tax for Pierce Transit in two weeks, we might be looking at the same scenario only much, much worse. Gas prices will be near Read more…
Early renderings of the McMenamins Elks project
via blog.thenewstribune.com Click the link above to see more at the Biz Buzz blog. Some great stuff.
Pedestrians are not hood ornaments
This is a good campaign from Rusty George Design. In 2004, Mary found herself on the hood of car from a driver who wasn't looking. Fortunately, the driver was going fairly slowly, and Mary was all right. But it's not a situation I want to see happen again. Via the Chamber's BIA blog.
That was quick.
It passed. From the New York Times. The Federal Communications Commission on Tuesday approved a new and still-unpublished set of rules that are intended to preserve open access to the Internet. There was disagreement Tuesday about whether the F.C.C. had the legal authority to implement the network neutrality rules, and that authority is certain to face legal challenges in the months ahead. Nonetheless, the approval represented a significant progress toward fulfilling a campaign promise by President Obama to preserve a level playing field for Web developers. Mr. Obama congratulated the F.C.C. on Tuesday’s vote and said in a statement that Read more…
Could Tacoma ever be Brooklyn to Seattle’s Manhattan?
I've been thinking a lot about the relationship between Tacoma and Seattle, and yesterday it got me thinking about a different relationship: Brooklyn and Manhattan. Manhattan is, without a doubt, a hub of commerce, art, and so many other things it would be hard to list them all here. But Brooklyn is known for being cool. A great place to live. It's know for different kinds of art, different kinds of people, a different kind of price-per-square foot on housing (at least in comparison to Manhattan). And it made me think: what would it take for Tacoma to have national Read more…
Commencement Bay Coffee closing, via the Business Examiner
From the BE Daily email: “They have had our street torn up for five months and it’s been nothing but getting worse,” he said. “Our daily coffee business is doing OK, but the lunch business dropped off dramatically. The only thing that would help me is money from the city and I just don’t see that happening.” Prichard wouldn’t give specific details at this time, but said another coffee shop should be opening around Jan. 2 in the building at 2354 Jefferson Ave. However, he said the meeting space used by businesses and community groups will not be available. The Read more…
Two visions for Pacific Ave with bike lanes integrated in one and separated in the other:
See the full gallery on Posterous
B&O tax in Tacoma
The Tacoma City Council took a big step forward tonight by adjusting the City’s B&O and cabaret taxes. By raising the minimum threshold for tax to $250,000 from $75,000 more businesses will have a chance to grow before paying the tax. More and more businesses have real flexibility in where they want to locate, especially when their only needs are a computer and phone. I think this will help make Tacoma more welcoming to those kinds of businesses. As David Boe said tonight, Tacoma is a great place to start a business and this only helps that. Marilyn Strickland also Read more…
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