Albers Mill Project Moves Ahead Despite Snag

TACOMA, WA-The five-story, mixed-use Albers Mill project is moving forward despite the City Council’s failure to commit to construction of an adjacent marina, wharf and walkway.

City officials have pledged to do what they can, but because they are $1 million shy of starting the project, they could not commit to construction. While developer Heritage Properties is reportedly disappointed with this action, ground is expected to break by September on the condominium and retail complex. Heritage has until Sept. 16 to complete the purchase of the property, located on the Thea Foss Waterway Downtown.

Albers Mill stands at 1821 Dock St., adjacent to the Bridge of Glass by Dale Chihuly and the Museum of Glass. The rehabbed building will also include a modern addition on the east side, which faces the water.

Input from the Urban Design Review Committee of the FWDA, the city of Tacoma, the state of Washington and the National Park Service has been part of the design process. The property will be placed on the U.S. Register of Historic Places and will undergo a certified historic rehabilitation under the U.S. Department of Interior Guidelines.

At its Aug. 13 meeting, the city official’s OK’d two separate resolutions that should move forward the redevelopment of the Albers Mill building. The council approved the sale of the brick building next to the new Museum of Glass to Albers Mill LLC. The council also approved a proposal to place the building, constructed in 1904, on the Tacoma Register of Historic Places.