KPLU Local News
(2010-04-26)
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It seems like every place you go these days, you see empty storefronts with "For Lease" signs in the windows. Tacoma has a plan to transform some of these spaces temporarily, until long term tenants are found.
Amy McBride, Tacoma Arts Administrator, says beginning in June some of the vacant retail space downtown will be filled with painters, actors, and creative entrepreneurs.
"People who either make stuff or offer a design service or something like that who are looking to try out a retail space or try out a product they haven't created before," she said.
The city convinced some building owners and commercial leasing agents in Tacoma to provide the space rent free for up to 6 months. The temporary tenants will still have to pay insurance and utilities. McBride says she'd like to see even more owners get on board. She compares it to staging a house when you want to sell it. This is like staging a community "to help people visualize what is possible."
A lot of other cities, including Seattle, have had artists create works for empty windows or blighted areas, but McBride says those tend to be static. She says the hope is to makeSpaceworks Tacoma more dynamic, with events, block parties and the like.
There will be a community meeting Wednesday, April 28, at 5:30 p.m., 703 Pacific Avenue, Suite 133, Tacoma for artists and entrepreneurs who want to learn more.
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