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Community & Environment > Projects > TPU Atrium Modernization Project

TPU Atrium Modernization Project

Improving safety, efficiency, and your customer experience

About the project

We are beginning construction work on the atrium and main entrance at our administrative building north (ABN), where our customer solutions lobby is located. The atrium is the large, open-air skylight that spans the front of the main building.

This project addresses aging building infrastructure that is reaching the end of its useful life and will help maintain a safe, reliable, and energy-efficient public facility for customers and staff.

Construction includes:

  • Replacing aging glass and structural components.
  • Replacing the existing main entrance system with a revolving door.
  • Improving heating and cooling performance in the lobby.
  • Bringing portions of the facility up to current building and energy standards.

Construction is scheduled to begin June 15, 2026, and continue through September 2026.

What this means for your visit

We’re working to keep all customer services accessible throughout construction. Here’s what to expect during your visit:

Temporary entrance changes

The main front entrance will be closed during all phases of the project.
  • Use the West Entrance to access the building: Customers/visitors should follow directional signs and use the West Entrance near the A1 parking lot to access the building and services.
  • Consider alternate methods to pay your bill: In addition to coming in person to pay your bill, you can also access your account safely online, by phone or Pay Box. Check out this webpage and explore all they ways you can pay.

Parking changes

Customer and employee parking will be adjusted during this time to accommodate project needs.

Customer and visitor parking: Beyond the designated accessible parking, there are 16 spaces in parking lot A1 reserved for customers and visitors. Signs will be posted.

  • Employee parking: Parking lot B1 is reserved for employees only.
  • Accessible parking: Accessible parking spots are in parking lot A1.
  • Contractor parking: Parking lot A2 is reserved for construction staging and is closed for parking.
  • Other parking: Parking lots C, D, F, and G are open for parking as usual.

View the map below for detailed parking and entrance information during construction.

Aerial map showing temporary parking and building access changes during the Atrium and Entrance Modernization Project. The main front entrance and adjacent sidewalk are marked closed. A temporary crosswalk directs pedestrians from parking lot A1 to the temporary public entrance on the west side of the building. Customer and visitor parking spaces, including accessible parking, are highlighted in A1. Construction staging and no parking areas are marked in red near lot A2. Employee parking is identified north of the building. Arrows indicate open vehicle access routes and building access to the east side only.

Click to enlarge

Construction activity

Construction activity will be visible inside and outside the building.

All services will remain open and available; some will be temporarily relocated within the lobby to make room for construction.

  • Staff will be available to help direct customers as needed.
  • Temporary fencing will be installed outside the building to prevent access to the construction zone.
  • Barriers will be installed to help reduce noise and dust.

View the lobby map below for updated service locations during construction.

Floor plan map showing temporary lobby changes during the Atrium and Entrance Modernization Project. The construction area is located at the top of the atrium entrance and marked “Construction Area.” The main front entrance is closed and labeled “Emergency Exit Only.” A dashed blue line shows the temporary public entrance route through the building lobby from the west side entrance. Temporary locations for the security desk and pay box are identified on the right side of the lobby. A kiosk and public entrance pathway are also labeled.

Click to enlarge

Why this project is needed

The current atrium glass and entry system have some components that are damaged or difficult to repair due to outdated design. The current entrance also creates significant air exchange, making it harder to maintain stable indoor temperatures and increasing strain on the building’s heating and cooling systems.

This construction project will help improve energy efficiency, reduce long-term maintenance needs, increase overall energy savings, and ensure the building remains a safe and reliable public facility.

Questions?

For questions about this project, please contact Renee Thompson at rthompson@tacoma.gov.