U.S. General Services Administration
Federal, City Leaders Celebrate Historic Transfer of Tacoma Union Station U.S. Courthouse
TACOMA, Wash. — On Wednesday, August 10, the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) hosted an event in the rotunda of the historic Union Station to celebrate the transfer of ownership of the property from the city of Tacoma to the federal government. GSA Administrator Robin Carnahan, retired U.S. Congressman Norman Dicks, Tacoma Deputy Mayor Catherine Ushka, and Chief Magistrate Judge J. Richard Creatura of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, spoke about the importance of Union Station in Tacoma’s history, and the federal government’s renewed commitment to its future in the community.
“The historic Tacoma Union Station is an iconic landmark building that connects the community of the region to its rich history,” said GSA Administrator Robin Carnahan. “GSA is honored to continue our decades-long partnership with the city by taking stewardship of this property to ensure it continues serving the public and our federal courts for many years to come.”
“Tacoma Union Station is a magnificent part of the Tacoma skyline – an enduring emblem of our region’s history and a continued inspiration for building a vibrant downtown," said Congressman Derek Kilmer (WA-06). "I’m excited to see GSA maintain the building – and hopefully invest in the building and the upgrades needed to keep it as a crown jewel in the City of Destiny."
“We proudly commit ourselves to ‘equal justice for all.’ This Union Station Courthouse and those who work in it have now served that singular purpose for more than thirty years, and we look forward to another 100 years in this historic building,” said Chief Magistrate Judge J. Richard Creatura of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington.
In 1990, GSA entered into a 30-year lease agreement with the city of Tacoma to use Union Station as a U.S. Courthouse, housing ten courtrooms for judges of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington. GSA exercised an option to purchase the property from the city of Tacoma for $1 at the end of the lease term and will continue its ongoing stewardship.
Following the remarks, Tacoma Deputy Mayor Catherine Ushka presented GSA Administrator Carnahan with a ceremonial key to the building.
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About GSA: GSA provides centralized procurement and shared services for the federal government, managing a nationwide real estate portfolio of nearly 370 million rentable square feet, overseeing approximately $75 billion in annual contracts, and delivering technology services that serve millions of people across dozens of federal agencies. GSA’s mission is to deliver the best customer experience and value in real estate, acquisition, and technology services to the government and the American people. For more information, visit GSA.gov and follow us at @USGSA.