Passenger Trains > Will Light Rail finally reach Tacoma by destroying a landmark?

https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/new-tacoma-light-rail-station-to-require-demolition-of-landmark-freighthouse-square/

This is remarkably sad. Freighthouse Square is a landmark piece of PNW history still very much in use. Not only does it preserve the Milwaukee Road story in Tacoma, but as the article correctly notes it also hosts 43 businesses, including sanely priced, charming non-chain cafes that offer wonderful food ranging from Mexican to northwest seafood. This is not a palace of the rails. Rather it's a rare example of century-plus rugged everyday freight railroading.

The (second post Tacoma Union Station) relocated Amtrak station for Tacoma already required the removal of part of the south end of the complex–but now it hosts both Amtrak regional and long-haul services and frequent (on weekdays at least) Sounder commuter trains. The Tacoma Streetcar line also starts here.

I have so many wonderful memories of lunches there with my friends Jim Hamre, Denny Thompson and Jim Fredrickson–all gone on now–alas. Great old buildings like Freighthouse Square inspire memories and traditions.

Seattle blocked the destruction of the Pike Place Market. If Jim Fredrickson was still with us he would lead another “Save the Station” effort here, as he did when Tacoma Union Station was abandoned by Amtrak in the 1980s and set to be destroyed. The magnificent restoration there is the ultimate evidence of what can be done.

Surely there is a way to blend the light rail stop with this equally remarkable icon of the northwest!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/05/25 19:15 by Railvt.

I am a bit confused.  Will it affect the Amtrak station?   Or the Tacome Dome (old station)?

Obviously the cost is ridiculous, but apparently people in that area are not flinching at the price.  

As a native, but departed Tacoman, I can only comment this is just another of the long list of shooting-itself-in-the-foot that Tacoma has accomplished during my lifetime.  What's next, close down Rustin way so the railroad can expand?  Oh, I know...let's raise the taxes so that old out-of-date restaurant Johnny's Dock will close...oh, we did that?  Great.  Let's see if we can get an Outback or a Sizzler to replace it...  Oh, Tacoma...I'm glad I left ya...

I'm confused by this thread's title.  I was in Tacoma for the 2011 National Railway Historical Society Convention.  Light rail was already in Tacoma then.  I used it often to get around while I was in Tacoma.