The Tacoma City Council is set to decide whether the “Tacoma Streets Initiative II” will appear on the April 22, 2025, ballot. The initiative aims to improve the city’s arterial streets, sidewalks, and multimodal infrastructure. If approved, Tacoma households would face a $20 annual increase in utility taxes, while property owners would see a $72 increase in property taxes. The proposal is expected to raise $25 million annually, with an additional $24 million from matching grants and partnerships, according to the City of Tacoma release.
The original “Tacoma Streets Initiative,” approved in 2015, generated $397 million over ten years and secured over $135 million in state and federal grants. However, Tacoma's streets have continued to decline, with the 2023 Pavement Condition Index showing a drop in arterial street conditions. Tacoma’s population has increased by 8 percent since 2015, making the need for improvements more urgent. A recent survey revealed that only 24.3 percent of residents are satisfied with the condition of the city's arterial streets, as per the same release.
Mayor Victoria Woodards strongly supports the initiative, stating, "This streets initiative, if approved by voters, will provide the essential funding needed to maintain and improve our roads, enhancing safety and connectivity for all. It's more than just road maintenance; it's about investing in the quality of life for every member of our community," as reported by the City of Tacoma.
Deputy Mayor John Hines and Council Member Kristina Walker also support the initiative. Hines believes that focusing on arterial streets will improve how residents travel around the city, while Walker calls it a much-needed investment to improve safety for all modes of transportation.
