Union Station Award

Award from the City Center Council of the Tacoma Pierce County Chamber of Commerce for “recognizing leadership in building or sustaining revitalization” in Tacoma. 

• Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium

Coordinating with prime design firm arranging community meetings and gathering information regarding community issues in master plan of zoo and aquarium. 

• Tacoma Home Town Hero Award

Presented by the Tacoma City Council “in recognition of your business leadership and commitment to Tacoma’s economic success”. 

• Point Defiance Park Long Range Plan Visioning

Participating in long range planning workshops to explore alternative future vision of the entire park.  This series of charrettes and discussions are being used to define future uses, retention, and development of the park. 

• LeMay Musuem

Responsible for facilitating the community discussions between the Museum representatives, lead design team and the community introducing alternative design concepts and receiving input, comments and alternate design directions. 

• Dome District Association

Acting as the Lead Volunteer collaborator working directly with the Dome District Development Committee over a several years to define and mitigate the community concerns, desires and needs regarding the extension of the Sounder Train from Freighthouse Square at D Street and across Pacific Avenue to M Street. 

• Proctor Square

Collaborating with colleagues and developing a mixed use project in the Proctor Business District on a former gas station site.  This project is contributing to the vitality and growth of the District with tenants like Starbucks, Nick n Willy’s, and Julia’s Clothing. 

• Proctor Business District

Suggesting, sketching and presenting street intersection improvements in partnership with District representatives to create enhancements to the major intersection within the District. 

• James Center in Westside of Tacoma

Presenting an unsolicited initiative, Jim began working with a colleague to suggest coordinating a strategy for the James Center area which includes Tacoma, University Place, and Fircrest.  The resulting collaboration allows the three city’s planning and development department representatives to explore ways which all three entities could coordinate future strategies for the neighborhood. 

• United Way

Presenting another among many unsolicited initiatives, Jim began working with a colleague and brainstorming ideas for the United Way property at 15^th and Pacific to identify opportunities which link the area to the Foss Waterway and are continuing to contribute to the growing vitality of the area. 

• Portland Avenue Revitalization Study

Pulling together and working with colleagues to collaborate with the City of Tacoma and the Eastside Neighborhood citizens to develop a future vision for the Portland Avenue neighborhood immediately south of I-5. 

• Portland Avenue Community Center

Teaming with Bill Factory, Linda Bowman, the community and neighbors to facilitate and define the vision for the Portland Avenue Community Center.  

• Eastside Baptist Church

Pooling resources with congregation representatives and Reverend Banks to define and design the Eastside Baptist Church on Portland Avenue. 

• Port Visitor Center Tower

Joining forces with Port staff and other stakeholders to define and design the information area and visitor tower which presents the story of the Port’s container business and its key partners for shipping lines such as SeaLand. 

• Hylebos Waterway Clean-up

Helping to facilitate the clean up strategy issues with the stakeholders and Port for the Hylebos Waterway.  Through Jim’s leadership the project is a success by defining the issues, presenting alternative approaches, and assisting in determining the accepted solution for the cleanup. 

• South Park Community Center

The facilitator for programming and designing the upgrades and expansion of the South Park Community Center at 48^th and South Tacoma Way.  Responsible for successfully accomplishing project goals by working with the community stakeholders and Metro Parks to shape an acceptable solution within the defined budget. 

• Titlow Pool Community Discussions

Creating and delivering a presentation to the Metropolitan Parks District Board of Directors which includes information for upgrades/replacement of the Titlow pool and related facilities by conducting and managing successful community discussions to define the challenges, goals, objectives, wants, and needs for the area to include future pool alternatives.  

• Jane Clark Fieldhouse Upgrades

Working in partnership with Metro Parks and stakeholders to upgrade the facility at the Jane Clark park area on Orchard Street. 

• Martin Luther King Way Planning Workshops

An active participant in the visioning workshops to illustrate the potential of the area which are used in defining future opportunities for the MLK corridor in the Hilltop Area of Tacoma.   

• South Tacoma Way Businesses

Frequently working with numerous businesses along South Tacoma Way for mixed use and auto related operations. 

• Green Ribbon Committee

Participant in the Green Ribbon Committee process resulting in the formation of the Commission on Sustainability by the Tacoma City Council. 

• Tacoma Waterfront Association

An active member of the group which is focusing on future initiatives and improving communication among stakeholders for the enhancement of the waterfront of Tacoma.  

• American Heart Association

Collaborating with the American Heart Association to host breakfast fundraising events in conjunction with the Heart Ball.  

• Chamber Creek Foundation

Participant in visioning and brainstorming discussions for the Foundation which include video interviews and the program “Earthy Conversations”. 

• Schools in Tacoma

Regularly working with parent and student stakeholders and school staff on a number of school master planning, programming, and design projects in Tacoma.  

• Historic Elks

Presenting Portland owners an introduction to the facility and then assisting them to define the problems, stabilize the building, and illustrate future opportunities. 

• YMCA  Member

A long time active member of the YMCA including the “First Light Brigade Exercise Class”,  regular morning basketball and general exercise on a regular basis. 

• Allied Arts

A long time member of Allied Arts, an ad hoc organization of arts groups in the community which does not currently function but needs to re-implementation. 

• Job Carr Cabin Replication

A member of the fundraising committee replicating the historic Job Carr cabin in Old Town, with a key role in bringing contractors and suppliers to the project with “in-kind” services and materials to make the project a reality. 

• Cascadia Region Green Building Council

Member and participant in the organizations which develop and guide the LEED system of sustainability in construction projects in our country and region. 

• City Club of Tacoma

A charter member of City Club, a regular participant in activities, and an occasional program speaker. 

• Destination Downtown

A committee member and participant for the update of the plan for the urban center of Tacoma, to include expanding the boundaries of the defined downtown. 

• Dome District Master Plan Update

A key committee member and participant in the update of the master plan for the Dome District to incorporate transportation and GMA issues. 

• Construction Specification Institute

Thirty year member of the organization which gathers information and communicates to the industry on materials and systems for construction.

• Downtown Tacoma Association

Jim was a long time member of the Downtown Tacoma Association, which was the Merchants Association of Tacoma.  He was on the Board and Vice Chairman when the organization became the City Center Council of the Chamber of Commerce and worked on many initiatives through the DTA.

• Safe Streets

Jim was involved with the beginning of Safe Streets as a result of his efforts that started with the Security and Clean-up Committee and Needle Exchange programs.

• American Institute of Architects and Southwest Washington Chapter

Jim has been on the Board of Directors of the local chapter for two terms, serving as President of the Chapter in 2002.  He co-chaired the Pacific Northwest Regional Conference with 300 participants coming to Tacoma from such places as Hong Kong, Washington DC, Guam, Hawaii, Alaska, as well as the four northwest states.

• National Conferences in Historic Preservation, Architecture, and Park Planning

Jim has attended and presented as numerous national conferences including such locations as Chicago, Boston, Charlotte, Seattle, Hawaii, Vancouver BC, Portland, San Francisco, San Diego, Salt Lake City and Dallas.

• Conflict Resolution Workshops in Russia

Jim participated in meetings, training, and discussions during a month long period in Moscow and St. Petersburg, Russia, and Riga, Latvia.  (It was in Riga that a cable stay bridge caught his eye for Tacoma).

• Pacific Avenue Beautification Committee

Jim was a member of this city committee that was charged with bringing forward ideas for the improvement of Pacific Avenue.  Jim was successful in getting the extension of the historic street lights on Pacific Avenue south from 17^th Street to 24^th Street.

• AIA and Design Lecture Series

Jim has been a participant in the organization of a lecture series on design and future visioning that will be taking place in 2009 and 2010.

• Urban Design and Planning Research in American Cities

Jim was a member of a committee/group through the DTA that visited a number of cities over a few years to gather information and successes in other cities.  The group traveled to each city and met with mayors, development staff, and planning personnel in such cities as San Diego, Portland, Vancouver BC, and San Antonio.

• TAG,  Rialto, and  Pantages Theatres

Jim has been involved with the theatres in the Broadway Center.  He drew the concepts for TAG moving in to the Rialto; TAG ultimately moved in to the new Theatre on the Square; he restored the Rialto for the Tacoma Youth Symphony and other groups; and he was on the Landmarks review board for the restoration of the Pantages.

 

• Hillside Development Council 

Responsible for organizing the movement with HDC to keep Market Street open through UWT after the City Council voted to close it.

• Tacoma- Pierce County Chamber of Commerce Member

A 30 year member with 3 years on the Board of Directors with involvement in many Chamber initiatives.

• Boy Scouts Facilities Assessment and Site Search Committee

Responsible for bringing together Metro Parks, the State of Washington and the Boy Scouts to secure the new facility site for Boy Scout headquarters at South 19^th and Highway SR 16.

• Pride Auction Committee, Bellarmine Preparatory School

A committee member of the major fundraising program for Bellarmine.

• Washington Trust for Historic Preservation

A thirty year member of the State organization that supports and encourages historic preservation in the State of Washington through education programs, communications, and awards programs.

• Save Our Bridge (SOB) Murray Morgan Bridge/11^th Street Bridge

A committee member and participant in the evaluations of the budgets required to restore the bridge and the challenge to the State’s lack of properly upgraded and maintaining the bridge to turn over to the City of Tacoma upon the completion of the SR 509 Cable Stay Bridge.

• National Trust for Historic Preservation,

Keynote speaker at national conference in Chicago speaking on historic preservation.

• Landmarks Preservation Commission, City of Tacoma

Member and chair of the commission during the developing of the Architectural Review Committee process for rehabilitation of historic properties to assist owners. Through the Commission as chair, Jim encouraged a fellow member to lead the initiative to save the historic Tacoma fireboat.

• I-705 Spur Review committee

An organizer and leader of the architect group responsible for offering an alternative solution to the State’s intrusive design thereby avoiding the derailment of the Renaissance of Tacoma. These efforts continue to resonate in the development and innovations taking place in Tacoma these last 20 years.

• Tacoma Rotary #8

Twenty-two year member active in the areas of fundraising, grant awards and membership development.

• Union Station Historic District Association

Co -Organizer of the Union Station Historic District Association that started the early awareness of the potential of the area.

• Downtown Area Revitalization Task Force (DART)

Member of stakeholder group in the downtown urban area responsible for identifying and developing initiatives for revitalization.  Prime successes include: the Sheraton Hotel, the YMCA and the Tacoma Financial Center. 

• Security and Clean-Up Committee

Founder of the committee, consisting of business owners, tenants, the Tacoma Police department, and social service groups meeting monthly to address concerns of the downtown area.

• Local Development Council  and Business Improvement Area

Member of BIA Board of Directors creating and promoting “Cops on Bikes” as well as the private security group on bikes to insure greater safety in the downtown area.  The initiative also included purchasing pressure washers and street sweepers to enhance the area through cleaner streets.

• Pacific Avenue Parking Committee

Worked with a local group of engineers, contractors, suppliers, and bankers to submit an unsolicited proposal to the City of Tacoma to provide underground parking from South 17^th to 21^st Streets to accommodate future parking needs in the south area of downtown.  This fully funded proposal was declined by the City.

• Save of Station (SOS)

A founding member of the citizens’ group focusing on the challenge of saving Union Station.  

• Zoobilee (Pt. Defiance Zoo & Aquarium)

Along with wife, Claudia, the first chairs of the annual fundraising event on the Zoo grounds.  Jim’s organization of the event has been continued through the past 20 years and has raised millions of dollars for Zoo programs.

• Festival of Trees Space Planner

Space planner and layout person for a number of years.

• American Leadership Forum

Member of the original class receiving intense training in servant leadership.  This program brings together a group of diverse members and is now on class 16.  Jim is currently on the Board of Directors and the Class Selection Committee.

• University of Washington Tacoma / Location Proposal Committee

Along with a banker, real estate agent, accountant, and Downtown Tacoma Association Executive Director, Jim was responsible for organizing and creating the conceptual drawings and conducting a successful presentation to the University of Washington to introduce the site for the University of Washington Tacoma..

• Marine Daffodil Parade Judge

Jim has been a judge of the Marine Daffodil Parade. 

• Stadium High School Band Fundraising Chairman

A high school trip to Australia was successful due to the leadership of Jim as chairman of the fundraising committee of parents to ascertain that all student of the Stadium Band would be able to attend.

• “VITA Tacoma” – Development Committee

A member of concerned citizens that gathered information in each of the sectors of the urban center of Tacoma to define the future potential of the area at the beginning of the now recognized renaissance of Tacoma.

• Pierce County Office Proposal to Remain Downtown

Developed a series of concepts that were presented to the Executive Council for a Greater Tacoma and Pierce County for their consideration of retaining County offices in the urban core.

• US Green Building Council

Long time member of national organization that promotes sustainability and building green which involves such aspects as saving energy and reusing materials among other activities.

• WTEC – Proposal for Trade Center of Foss Waterway

A member of a Tacoma group of citizens, sponsored by the Executive Council, to research to potential for a trade center in Tacoma.  The group travel to Frankfort, Dusseldorf, and Munich, Germany to meet with trade fair experts to ascertain the viability for Tacoma.

• Haddaway Hall

A Board member of  Haddaway Hall, the historic Weyerhaeuser residence in North Tacoma, charged with the task to study the future potential and long term viability of the site that could include public use.

• Basketball Coach

Over a decade of coaching experience at the Boys & Girls Clubs & schools, with team members from grade school through high school.  To hundreds of Tacoma students Jim is Coach Merritt.

• Tacoma Dome Citizens Bond Advisory Committee

Jim was a member of the citizens committee that studied and  promoted the renewal of the bonds for the Tacoma Dome to upgrade the 25 year old facility.

• Metro Parks Co-chair of Bond Issue Campaign

Jim and his wife Claudia were co-chairs of  a Metro Parks Bond Issue package that was offered to voters.

• Metro Parks Citizens Committee to define the most recent Bond Issue

Jim was a member of the citizens group that organized, evaluated, and recommended the components to be included in the most recent Metro Parks Bond Proposal that is funding current improvements.

• Consolidation of Skid Row ownership

Facilitator working with local business owners to agree upon a coordinated redevelopment strategy in the south end of the historic downtown core.

• Needle Exchange Program

An activist/educator for the program working diligently to successfully implement changes to the program which fit our community needs.

• Architecture and Children Program

Working with the Tacoma Schools to bring students into Union Station to learn about the design process as well as guiding a model building program with the Tacoma Art Museum to present the students’ work.

• Visualize Tacoma Committee

Working with the Tacoma Planning Development Committee on widening the boundaries for the Central Business District.

• Save Albers Mill

Studied Albers Mill, developed proposals for rehabilitation, and encouraged the City to include this property in the City’s plan of the Foss Waterway. Jim participated with a citizens’ group to promote the project and presented his study material for use by the developer that ultimately completed the project. 

• Tacoma Rescue Mission Community Meetings

Organized and chaired monthly meetings at the Tacoma Rescue Mission with area stakeholders and clients of the Rescue Mission to identify problems and potential solutions.

• Read 2 Me Volunteer

Jim has been a participant in Rotary reading programs to pre-school and elementary students in our community.

• First Presbyterian Pre-School  and the Department of Assigned Counsel

Acting as a requested liaison on behalf of citizens in the community when the Pierce County Department of Assigned Councel had designs on moving into the building next door to the church and pre-school. Responsible for mobilizing community, helping to find alternative answers and using his training in dispute resolution to find common ground creating an outcome where all issues were resolved.