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Cushman and Adams Substations

Cushman Substation 2

Contact

John Gaines

Community Relations Manager
3628 South 35th Street
Tacoma, WA 98409

Overview

The City of Tacoma has completed a study on potential future uses for the historic Cushman and Adams Substation sites and buildings. This was a unique opportunity to develop future uses for these sites that serve the whole City. During the summer and fall of 2024, the City of Tacoma completed broad, inclusive citywide engagement —including workshops and outreach events—to gather input on the vision and potential future use scenarios.

We are still actively using and maintaining the building and site; we remain on track to vacate and surplus it by 2027 following construction of an off-site replacement facility.

To follow the full project, we encourage you to go to the City of Tacoma’s Project page

Cushman and Adams Substations

Cushman and Adams Substations Future Use Study: Timeline.

Milestone Complete

The study process extended through early 2025 with public engagement activities completed in the Summer and Fall of 2024 around the “VISIONING” and “SCENARIOS” stages of the study.

  • Restart of the project and community engagement, led by consulting firm Otak, Inc.
  • Generate and analyze different use scenarios for the site.
Milestone In Progress
  • Decision-making about future use begins.
  • Permitting and constructing TPU’s off-site maintenance replacement facility.
Milestone In Progress

Surplus process

  • First right of refusal to local tribes
  • Environmental remediation of the sites/buildings
  • Exploring affordable housing options as required by the City
  • Request for proposals from developers and/or other partners
Milestone In Progress
  • Tacoma Power vacates the Cushman Substation.
  • Implementation of the recommended steps.

Background

The Cushman and Adams substations were built in the mid-1920s to bring electricity from the Cushman Dam to Tacoma. For many years, the substations served as active parts of the electrical system. 

In 2017, Tacoma City County placed both Cushman and Adams substations on the Tacoma Register of Historic Places. The designation includes the exteriors of both buildings and the sites surrounding them.  

In 2018, General Government and TPU signed A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) stating that General Government will lead, with TPU support, an outreach effort to ensure broad community involvement and input regarding the future re-use of the properties and the timeline to surplus the building. TPU initiated planning for a replacement facility and clean-up initiatives according to the terms of the MOU and informed by any future redevelopment plan(s) for the properties approved by the Public Utility Board and Tacoma City Council. 

As of Aug. 27, 2018, the substation is no longer energized and is not a functioning part of the utility’s power system. Tacoma Power uses the building for heavy equipment repair and material storage. 

2019 The City selected a consultant team led by Otak, Inc. to support a broad, inclusive community engagement effort. 

2020 – The Cushman and Adams Study paused due to impacts resulting from the pandemic. Tacoma Power continues to use the facility for large equipment and material storage until a new facility is constructed and the property is surplused, per the MOU.