Marine View Drive Water Main Extension

FAQs

What is a Local Improvement District?

A Local Improvement District, or LID, is a way for property owners to help fund public infrastructure improvements in their area. For this proposal, the LID process would be used to consider funding the water main extension along Marine View Drive. Property owners would share in the cost based on the benefit to their property. 

Who is managing the project?

The City of Tacoma Public Works Department is leading the LID process. Tacoma Water is providing technical support, answering property owners’ questions about water service, and pursuing grant funding for the proposed water main extension. 

Would I be required to connect to Tacoma Water?

No. However, if the project receives a majority vote to move forward, then all properties will be required to pay the assessment fee. If the property owner does not want to be connected to Tacoma Water, here are the alternatives, 

1. The property owner could decide to not pay for the water service line and water meter. After the water main is installed and street restoration is complete, a future new service request will include labor and materials to cut into Marine View Drive to tap the water main and install a new service line and meter at the edge of the right of way. All of these costs will be the responsibility of the individual property owner and will be much greater than during the LID Construction phase. 
2. The property owner could decide to only pay for the water service line and hold off on the water meter. This brings the water service line outside of the paved street area and next to the right of way. In the future when the individual property owner requests to be connected, they will only have to pay for the meter installation cost and that work avoids the costly street restoration costs.   

What happens if property owners do not support the proposal?

The property owners can vote ‘Not Interested’. If the required level of support is not reached, the proposed LID and water main extension would not move forward. If the required level of support is reached and the majority vote is a ‘Yes’, then the LID would move forward.  

Before the LID officially moves forward, the next steps include a public hearing where all the property owners have the ability to share their support or concerns for the project.  

When could construction begin?

The timeline for construction is dependent on the community’s desire to move forward, the public process for getting an LID approved, and contracting. It could take as little as a year to start.