In the digital age, there’s something magical about a place like the Washington State Archives. Deep in the vault of the Puget Sound Regional Branch in Bellevue, history is preserved the old-fashioned way. Rod Koon made many visits to the archive's office, digging into the Port of Tacoma’s first century.

The Port of Tacoma Commission on November 2 held a study session to review the 2024 budget. A public hearing and adoption of the budget, including the property tax levy, is scheduled for November 21. Commissioners also heard briefings from the Tacoma-Pierce County Economic Development Board and from Port environmental staff regarding long term monitoring at the Lower Wapato Creek Habitat site.

Planning for a future waterfront landmark took a step forward with the Port of Tacoma Commission’s recent approval of an amendment to an interlocal agreement between the Port and Tacoma Public Schools for work associated with developing a new Maritime Center campus.

The Port of Tacoma Commission on October 24 approved a project authorization of $2.97 million for work associated with the Port Maritime Center to bring the project to 30 percent design by March 2024. The proposed location of the Port Maritime Center campus project is on Port-owned property along the Foss Waterway and will include Tacoma Public Schools’ new Maritime|253 skills center.

I was sitting in my office cubicle a few weeks ago when someone grabbed me to come look at a “weird” fish in the Sitcum Waterway. A small crowd had started to form by the time I made it outside and as I approached, I heard lots of bewildered chatter.

Port of Tacoma commissioners on September 19 unanimously approved a proclamation for National Hispanic Heritage Month, which calls on the people of Pierce County to recognize the achievements of the Hispanic/Latino community. 

Colin Millan has joined the Port of Tacoma as Director of Security where he will be responsible for the leadership and overall direction of the Port’s security department. Millan’s portfolio includes security operations across all Port assets and facilities, incident management, security project management, as well as Port Patrol and Terminal Security Officers for SSA Terminal Tacoma.

During the September 6 Managing Members meeting of the Northwest Seaport Alliance, commissioners from both the Port of Tacoma and the Port of Seattle authorized funding for work associated with deepening the berths at Husky Terminal and Washington United Terminals on the Blair Waterway. Port of Tacoma commissioners then a voted to authorize funding for work associated with the East Commencement Habitat Opportunity Project, which will be created with material dredged from the waterway deepening project.

As four interns wrap up their summer working at the Port of Tacoma, each found professional growth and newly opened doors. The internship program was the Port’s first in three years because of COVID-19, with more than 25 students applying for each position.