The Tacoma Economic Development Committee meeting on July 29, 2025, spotlighted a transformative public art strategy aimed at revitalizing the Tacoma Mall neighborhood, a key regional growth center. The initiative, part of the city’s 1% for art program, seeks to create a comprehensive vision and roadmap for art and cultural interventions over the next 10 to 15 years.

Since 2018, the public art program has engaged the community through various projects, including artist training focused on social practices and urban forestry collaborations. The committee emphasized the importance of these efforts in shaping the neighborhood's identity and fostering community engagement.

The Tacoma Mall neighborhood is experiencing significant growth, with new developments underway. However, the area faces challenges, including a lack of public amenities such as community centers and green spaces. The committee highlighted that the absence of these facilities has created a low equity environment, underscoring the urgency of the art placemaking plan.

This plan aims to address long-standing issues while enhancing the neighborhood's cultural expression and sense of place. It will identify resources and partnerships to support these goals, ensuring that as the area grows, it remains a vibrant and inclusive community.

The discussions also revealed geographic challenges that fragment representation within the neighborhood, complicating efforts to unify community voices. As Tacoma moves forward with this art strategy, the committee is committed to creating spaces where residents can gather, express themselves, and celebrate their local identity.