Port of Tacoma Parcel 77 – Automobile Import Terminal
Tacoma, Washington
- Services Civil Engineering
- Market(s) Rail
- Owner Port of Tacoma
- Team Special Projects – Tacoma, WA
Through the on-call contract between KPFF and the Port of Tacoma since 2011, KPFF was tasked by the Port of Tacoma to perform feasibility analysis, planning, and design for an automobile import terminal (AIT) at the Port’s Parcel 77 property, a 90-acre site that had been vacant for over 10 years since the closure of a Kaiser aluminum smelter. The site presented several challenging conditions that would become the focal points for planning and conceptual design, including poor soils, buried remediation areas created during the demolition of the Kaiser facility, and limited utility and stormwater infrastructure. Based on initial project programming defined by the prospective tenant, developing the project while addressing the site conditions would not be financially feasible. Through the planning and conceptual design process, KPFF identified and evaluated numerous design strategies before creating a concept that would reduce overall construction cost by approximately 30% and move the project to a position of financial feasibility.
From the Port’s initial discussion with WWL through the lease negotiation, design and construction, KPFF staff were by our side supporting this project and providing whatever assistance was necessary to ensure successful completion of the project. The planning and design service provided by yourself, [Steve Kingsley] Chelsea Bennett and Bekah Osterhaus since the inception of this project has been outstanding. As we now approach the completion of construction, we can appreciate our efforts in returning 90 acres of Tideflats land to productive use after more than a decade of disuse. We would like to take the opportunity to express our sincere appreciation for the valuable support and collaboration provided by KPFF over the past two years.
Carol Rhodes PE
Sr. Project Manager, Port of Tacoma
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