The Center for Urban Waters is the result of nearly a decade of work by civic leaders and organizations who dreamed of a premier research center dedicated to developing solutions to the problems facing urban bay communities. In 2002, potential partners – including the City of Tacoma, Port of Tacoma, University of Washington Tacoma and business leaders – met to outline a vision for the center. Over the next few years, these community leaders raised funds for a feasibility study and an endowment to support a top-flight researcher at the University of Washington Tacoma. Along the way, the partners agreed to combine the research facility with labs and offices for the City of Tacoma’s Environmental Services unit. The City of Tacoma’s purchase of former industrial land on the Thea Foss Waterway in 2007 led to detailed planning. Ground was broken in early 2009 and staff began moving into the building in March 2010.
