New Salishan Continues to Shine
The City of Tacoma was one of two "Large City Winners" of The Home Depot Foundation's second annual Award of Excellence for Sustainable Community Development. Tacoma's selection was based on its support of sustainability city wide, and the Phase 2 completion at Salishan, a Tacoma Housing Authority award-winning residential redevelopment community. The Home Depot announced the awards on December 3, 2010. As the winner, Tacoma will receive a grant from The Home Depot Foundation for $75,000.
Salishan began as government housing for the tremendous influx of families to the Tacoma area to work in the war effort in 1942. After the war, the government gave the property to the Tacoma Housing Authority (THA) and it became a major part of THA's affordable housing stock. In 2001, the Tacoma Housing Authority began an ambitious plan to replace the worn out infrastructure and unsustainable structures. The project cost over $225 million, and increased the number of housing units from 855 to over 1350. "New Salishan" is a mixed-income, mixed-use neighborhood of affordable and market rate rental housing, single family homes for sale, commercial and community buildings, and parks, all on a brand new infrastructure.
The cornerstone of the project is its environmentally responsible design and features, from extensive bio-infiltration swales that keep 91% of rainfall on site, to a THA education, training, and retail center designed to be certified as a LEED Gold project. The project added or rebuilt three elementary schools, a middle school, a library, and a medical and dental clinic, along with the THA center, all within walking distance of New Salishan's residents.
To enhance the community even more, THA and others sponsored the Salishan Shine Project. Combining grants of funds, materials, skills, and labor, including volunteer adults and children living in New Salishan, the Shine project built and equipped playgrounds for children of all ages, installed outdoor art, developed outdoor gathering areas to garden, cook, or just sit, and constructed scenic pedestrian bridges over the creek running through the community.
The City was cited for its planning and operational commitment to sustainability, throughout its comprehensive plan and all phases of City operations and practices.
Foster Pepper is proud to represent both the City of Tacoma and THA. Congratulations on this award, and yet another feather for New Salishan's cap.
