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Key Tacoma green space preserved through unique partnership

Green Space Preserved in Northeast Tacoma through partnership between the Port of Tacoma, the City of Tacoma, Schnitzer Steel and the Cascade Land Conservancy.

More than 31 acres of forested open green space between the Tacoma Tideflats and popular Northeast Tacoma neighborhoods have been saved from potential development through a unique partnership between business, government and a land conservation organization.

The property, known as Julia's Gulch, is now in public hands after its purchase Thursday from Woodworth & Co., a heavy highway contractor that owns multiple parcels in Northeast Tacoma along the steep slopes overlooking the Port of Tacoma. Prior to the transaction, Woodworth had development plans for the property, which was slated for 52 homes. The purchase price of the land was approximately $2 million.

Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc. (NASDAQ: SCHN), a Portland-based company and a global leader in metals recycling, helped fully fund the stewardship plan for the property and offset some of the costs to public taxpayers, making final closing on the property possible. The company joined the Port of Tacoma, the City of Tacoma and the Cascade Land Conservancy (CLC) in the final arrangements. Schnitzer Steel, whose subsidiary General Metals of Tacoma operates a recycling yard and deep-water port in Tacoma, provided $320,500 toward the purchase and stewardship of the land.

The Port of Tacoma contributed $1.5 million for the land while the City of Tacoma added $300,000.  The agreement was approved by the appropriate port and city governmental groups late last fall. Final real estate documents were signed Thursday.

One of the unique aspects of Schnitzer Steel’s contribution was $75,000 dedicated exclusively to the ongoing stewardship of the land. Under the agreement, the Cascade Land Conservancy holds a conservation easement on the property. The contribution from Schnitzer Steel will assist in funding the monitoring and protection of the land under terms of the easement by the CLC, ensuring it will remain open green space in perpetuity. The agreement means that the CLC will maintain an active stewardship role to preserve and enhance the conservation and habitat values of the property.

While the formal plans for the property are still being considered, low-impact nature trails will be encouraged. CLC will direct work to clear non-native vegetation and plant native trees and shrubs.

“We appreciate the efforts of each of our partners to make this purchase possible. This conservation effort is an excellent model for how to develop strong partnerships to retain open space within our communities; thus balancing preservation of natural areas with gains in industrial and residential development,” said Don Hamaker, President of Metals Recycling for Schnitzer Steel. “We believe it’s important to be good environmental stewards and remain active in creating a positive future for our communities.”

Mayor Bill Baarsma said the Julia's Gulch agreement was a good one before Schnitzer’s participation and is even better with the addition of Schnitzer Steel.

“Schnitzer Steel allowed us to leverage the public dollars even further,” said Mayor Baarsma.  “In addition, funds from Schnitzer for stewardship of the land allows an even higher level of care for the land than we thought possible. We can now fully fund stewardship of the land.”

Under the agreement, fee ownership of the land is transferred to the Port of Tacoma.  “We believe in being a good neighbor,” said Port of Tacoma Commission President Dick Marzano. “This innovative partnership preserves vital open space between the Port’s important industrial developments and the equally essential residential areas of Northeast Tacoma.”

In addition, it is likely that funds from a federal grant from the Coastal Estuaries Land Protection Fund will arrive later than originally anticipated. Those dollars will be used to reduce the Port’s investment.

“The Cascade Land Conservancy is pleased that it could help facilitate the conservation of this property,” said Gene Duvernoy, Cascade Land Conservancy President.  “It is an example of the kind of things the Cascade Agenda strives to accomplish -- business, government and the CLC joining hands to the benefit of the region. We are honored to be the stewards of this land.”

Preservation of the land was cheered by residents of Northeast Tacoma, which is seeing rapid development.

“We are thankful that this agreement could be made to preserve this land in our neighborhood,” said Marion Weed, a resident of the area. “Open space is important to us and to the preservation of our quality of life here in Tacoma.”

Preservation of the area along and above Marine View Drive also is a very high priority for the City of Tacoma and Port of Tacoma for economic and conservation related reasons.

The Cascade Land Conservancy views the project as an important example of the goals of The Cascade Agenda.  The Agenda calls for conserving urban green space to make communities more livable.  By creating a natural buffer to the Port of Tacoma and limiting more residential encroachment, the CLC is helping the Port to thrive without the need to adjust hours of operation and contend with incompatible use issues due to noise, lights, safety issues and residential traffic.

From an ecological standpoint, the property has a seasonal creek draining to Commencement Bay and supports coyote, deer, birds and other wildlife, which use the gulch for nesting and as a corridor to the water and north to Dash Point State Park.

The Port of Tacoma also plans to purchase more than 40 acres north of Julia Gulch. The Port will set aside a small section—about seven acres—with plans to accommodate businesses that must relocate from the Blair Peninsula to make way for the new NYK terminal. About 44 acres of the site, however, are expected to join Julia Gulch as open space, bringing the total to more than 60 acres of natural habitat and buffer between the industrial tideflats and Northeast Tacoma neighborhoods.

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