Cushman Commons

DiscoverCushmanCommons-Capture1
Welcome to the North End Neighborhood Council’s Cushman Commons page!

Tacomans should get ready for a unique opportunity to decide the future use of two historic, landmarked buildings: The Cushman and Adams substations on North 21st Street in Tacoma.

Tacoma Public Utilities (TPU) will soon no longer need the substation buildings or properties. Otak is the consultant hired by the City of Tacoma and equally funded by TPU. In the summer and fall of 2024, the Otak consultants will hold a formal public process to hear the community’s ideas for the future of these landmarked sites. The NENC, in support of the process, will host the Historic Cushman Street Fair on September 7, 2024 from 11am-3pm. This event will build on the Discover Cushman event held in 2019 and be a similar event to the Historic Cushman Street Fair in 2023, but it will this time be in the middle of the public process to determine what to do with the properties. This page will be updated regularly in the coming months to keep the community aware of all Cushman events and how to participate in the process. 

Engagement opportunities:

VISIONING—Public Workshop Sessions

  • When: Saturday, June 22 from 10:30 AM – 12 PM and from 3 PM – 4:30 PM (two workshop sessions to choose from)
  • Where: Wheelock Library, 3722 North 26th Street, Tacoma
  • Join staff from the City of Tacoma and consultant team Otak to share your VISION for the future of Cushman and Adams Substations sites and buildings! Learn about what the Future Use Study is, discuss ideas for the future, and hear about how we will use community feedback and other information to inform the creation of future SCENARIOS. Choose from two workshop times depending on what is most convenient for you.

 

  • Historic Cushman Street Fair

SCENARIOS—Public Workshop Sessions

A graphic that promotes the Future Use Study Scenarios Workshop

Session One:

  • When: Monday, October 21, 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM OR 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
  • Where: University of Washington Tacoma, 1900 Commerce Street, Milgard Room 110
  • Learn more on Facebook 

Session Two:

  • When: Saturday, October 26, 1:30 PM – 3 PM OR 3:30 PM – 5 PM
  • Where: Wheelock Library, 3722 North 26th Street
  • Learn more on Facebook 

Read more about the history of these sites and view the video below to find out more about the Cushman Commons idea that came from previous research and engagement conducted by the NENC, and please also sign up to receive updates on the process. Since these historic buildings belong to all Tacomans, it would be great to hear from everyone about the future of the site.

“Like many of you, I am anticipating the kick-off for the re-use conversation for Cushman and Adams Substation. This project, like many things in our lives, was placed on hold in April 2020 while we responded to the impacts of COVID-19. 

The City of Tacoma and Tacoma Public Utilities remain committed to a robust public process and community-wide conversation about the future of this property. I know how special this space is to the community and recognize the unique opportunity we have with these historic properties.”

  • Deputy Mayor John Hines, August 2022 newsletter

The North End Neighborhood Council, after extensive public outreach, has proposed a future use to be a community and park space, “Cushman Commons.”

The 6-minute video below gives a brief overview of the buildings, provides info on the planned public process, and explains why our vision is a great fit for the site.

We’d love your support!

Use the link below to sign up for more information and to get updates!

Cushman Interest List: Sign up for updates

What’s the status of the Cushman Substation?

In 2018, Tacoma Public Utilities replaced the old electric towers on North 21st Street with monopoles and disconnected the Cushman Substation from the electrical system. In the near future, TPU will move its remaining equipment out of Cushman, and the building will be surplussed.

Why is the Cushman-Adams site important?

Learn more about the historic significance of the Cushman-Adams sites from the Tacoma Register of Historic Places Nomination. In 2017, the exteriors of both Cushman and Adams substations and the surrounding sites were placed on the Tacoma Register of Historic Places. Cushman Substation is also listed on the National Historic Register.

Resources:

Past posts related to the Cushman-Adams site on this website can be viewed here.

Photos: