The development of the Thea Foss Waterway esplanade represents a major chapter in the revitalization of downtown Tacoma.

The esplanade, which will stretch along the entire one and one-half miles of the western side of the Thea Foss Waterway, will reconnect the downtown business district and the Union Station Historical District to the waterfront.

The design team was led by Architects Reed Reinvald Johnson Willows in association with the Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Partnership.

Bruce Dees & Associates was a core design team member, charged with creating a Master Plan for this linear park and urban revitalization project. In addition, a schematic design was developed for the first one-half mile portion of the esplanade between 15th and 21st Streets, and construction documents were completed for the first phase between 15th and 18th Streets.

The design team went beyond the initial scope of work for the project by studying how private development that will ultimately front the esplanade will look.

Architects/Designers: Thomas Cook Reed Reinvald; BCRA; Tsang Architects; Bruce Dees & Associates