2023 was a year for the record books, and here at the Downtown Tacoma Partnership, we are looking forward to all that’s in store in the year ahead!
Now that 2024 is well under way, we’re taking a moment to reflect back on some of our top downtown moments from the past year.
Safe & Clean Services
At the Downtown Tacoma Partnership, we take great pride in providing our community with access to our reliable Safe & Clean Teams.
In 2023, our Safety Team provided a total of 1,648 community responses. These instances range from assisting visitors with directions around downtown and escorting folks to their vehicles, to addressing disturbance reports, nuisance behaviors, and helping downtown residents, employees, and guests feel safe, comfortable, and secure.
Our Clean Team is devoted to making Downtown Tacoma shine. Thanks to their hard work, in 2023 they removed 3,870 graffiti tags from buildings and infrastructure in addition to sweeping up an astonishing 119,060 pounds of trash and debris from downtown streets and sidewalks. This incredible team not only keeps downtown clean, they also make it vibrant by hanging colorful seasonal flower baskets and banners that add beauty to the community, along with installing our festive holiday star decorations during the most wonderful time of the year.
New Businesses in Downtown Tacoma
In 2023, we were proud to welcome 24 new businesses to Downtown Tacoma! Over the course of the year, we saw new additions open ranging from delightful downtown restaurants like Amor Tapas and West 122, to new retailers like Onimi Apparel, and great service providers like Gene Juarez Salon & Spa, which moved from the Tacoma Mall to Downtown Tacoma.
See the full list of 2023’s new Downtown Tacoma businesses below:
Amor Tapas & Wine, Belle Amor Bridal, The Blue Rose, Chili Thai, Cider & Cedar, Cremello Cafe, Ebony & Ivory Coffee, Gene Juarez Salon & Spa, Jin Jin Matcha, The Living TapRoom, Naomi Joe Coffee, Onimi Apparel, Peppermint Tuna, Planterior, Shop Conmigo, Sips n Kicks, Stories, Structure Cellars, Sunny’s General Store, The Axe Academy, Tim’s Kitchen, UW Tacoma’s Bookstore, Water From Wine, and West 122.
Downtown Tacoma Block Party
Last August, we were thrilled to produce our first ever Downtown Tacoma Block Party where more than 6,000 community members came out to enjoy the best of Downtown Tacoma with live music, delicious food, local businesses, market vendors, and free activities for all ages that ranged from skateboarding lessons to line dancing and more!
“From the success of this first time out, it’s a safe bet that the Downtown Tacoma Block Party will become the city’s newest annual summertime highlight.” – Tacoma Weekly
Downtown Community Meetings
Last year, we were thrilled to host more than 500 guests at our monthly Downtown Tacoma Community Meetings. After two years of meeting virtually throughout the pandemic, the Downtown Tacoma Partnership began hosting Community Meetings in-person once again in 2023. These meetings are held on the first Thursday of the month at rotating businesses where downtown residents, employees, city leaders, and more attend to hear from local business owners while learning about the latest and greatest happenings taking place in our community.
New Housing in Downtown Tacoma
Downtown Tacoma saw hundreds of new housing units become available in 2023, including new developments like the McCormick Heights and Analog Apartment buildings. More housing will become available downtown in 2024 with additional developments in the works like The Rook, which will allow 1,000 new residents to call Downtown Tacoma home in their 386-unit apartment building.
