ca. 1970. 1970 Richards stock footage. Aerial view of parking garage construction. To deal with the increasing parking problem in downtown Tacoma, approval was obtained to build two large public garages. Construction had begun in 1970 on the Commerce St. site across from the upcoming (National) Bank of Washington Plaza; the other garage would be built closer to 9th. Two of downtown's escalades are visible next to and near the site. The garage would be dubbed "Park Plaza South" and be built of precast and pre-stressed concrete. There would be room for 381 cars. The Park Plaza South garage would be officially opened on November 5, 1970.

Aerial views; Building construction--Tacoma--1970-1980; Parking garages--Tacoma--1970-1980; Conveying systems--Tacoma--1970-1980; Urban renewal;

1970 Richards stock footage. Construction continues on the new parking garage between Pacific & Commerce as walls start to rise. A new sign now tells passersby that the garage's name will be "Park Plaza South." Once completed, the garage will be able to accommodate 381 cars. It was designed by Tacoma architects Lea, Pearson & Richards. A part of the new (National) Bank of Washington Plaza's enormous fountain is shown on the left corner; escalade leading from Pacific to Commerce is near the right edge; Stationers is near the top right.

Progress photographs; Building construction--Tacoma--1970-1980; Parking garages--Tacoma--1970-1980; National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Conveying systems--Tacoma--1970-1980; Signs (Notices);

1970 Richards stock footage. Progress report on "Park Plaza South" parking garage. By June of 1970, construction was going at a good clip on the new multi-storied concrete garage set approximately between So. 12-13th & Pacific & Commerce Sts. Designed by local architects Lea, Pearson & Richards, the site had its groundbreaking in November of 1969. It would celebrate its grand opening on November 5, 1970. The garage would offer 381 parking spots; however, unlike the increasingly popular Tacoma Mall, drivers would have to pay to park.

Progress photographs; Building construction--Tacoma--1970-1980; Parking garages--Tacoma--1970-1980; Urban renewal;

ca. 1970. Progress photograph of downtown Tacoma parking garage. Two parking garages with a total of 794 parking spots, would be built in downtown Tacoma as part of the downtown urban renewal project. This early 1970 photograph is believed to be of the same construction site as in D155600, image 347, taken in December of 1969. The multi-storied garage would provide much needed parking in the city's downtown business district.

Progress photographs; Building construction--Tacoma--1970-1980; Parking garages--Tacoma--1970-1980; Urban renewal;

Park Plaza South. This is the South 13th St. end of the Park Plaza South parking garage. The large garage lay between South 12th and South 13th and Commerce and Pacific Avenue. The modernistic structure was designed by Tacoma architects Lea, Pearson & Richards with Finn B. Paulsen, Inc., as contractors. Concrete Technology Corporation provided the precast and pre-stressed concrete. The Pacific National Bank of Washington Plaza building is the tall building on the right. Photograph ordered by Lea, Pearson & Richards.

Parking garages--Tacoma--1970-1980; Pacific National Bank of Washington (Tacoma);

Park Plaza South. June, 1971, view of covered glass walkway enabling people to exit the Park Plaza South garage to Commerce St. without braving the elements. The overpass was constructed of pre-stressed concrete girders from Concrete Technology Corporation. The new Pacific National Bank of Washington Plaza building is in background. Photograph ordered by architects Lea, Pearson & Richards.

Parking garages--Tacoma--1970-1980; Pacific National Bank of Washington (Tacoma);

Park Plaza South. This is believed to be the part of the large parking garage facing Pacific Avenue as Puget Sound National Bank can clearly be seen in the background. The main entrance to Park Plaza South was on Commerce St. Photograph ordered by Lea, Pearson & Richards.

Parking garages--Tacoma--1970-1980; Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma);

Park Plaza South parking garage. Two large parking garages were built in the early 1970s in an attempt to cope with the lack of parking in downtown Tacoma and as a part of urban renewal. The Park Plaza South, above, was the first to open in November of 1970. It would provide space for 381 cars. Designed by Tacoma architects Lea, Pearson & Richards, the garage was built of precast and pre-stressed concrete. Photograph ordered by Lea, Pearson & Richards.

Parking garages--Tacoma--1970-1980; Urban renewal;

Park Plaza South. Downtown parking for years was hard to find. In 1970, two large garages were built in the downtown business district to provide parking for customers and workers. This is the Park Plaza South garage located between Pacific and Commerce and So. 12th & 13th Sts. Notable buildings in view of the garage were the Seattle-First National Bank, Washington Building with the red neon Bank of California sign on roof, Puget Sound National Bank with spire, and the new Pacific National Bank of Washington Plaza. Photograph ordered by Lea, Pearson & Richards, architects.

Parking garages--Tacoma--1970-1980; Urban renewal; Seattle-First National Bank (Tacoma); Washington Building (Tacoma); Electric signs--Tacoma--1970-1980; Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma); Pacific National Bank of Washington (Tacoma);

ca. 1969. In December of 1969 construction had just begun on the Park Plaza South Parking Garage between South 12th & South 13th and Pacific Avenue & Commerce. Two garages were to be built as part of the downtown urban renewal project. The other site chosen was north of the Rust Building between 9th & 11th and Pacific & Commerce. Altogether there would be 794 parking stalls added to Tacoma's downtown. The project would cost 3.3 million dollars. With the buildings on Pacific removed for construction, the buildings on the south end of the 1100 block of Commerce are clearly visible. The six story building at the upper left corner is the Luzon Building, 1302-04 Pacific Ave. Designers were the Tacoma architectural firm of Lea, Pearson & Richards with N.G. Jacobson & Associates, engineers. (TNT 1-9-69, p. 1)

Building construction--Tacoma--1960-1970; Parking garages--Tacoma--1960-1970; Urban renewal;

ca. 1979. Image of a fire engine passing in front of the south corner of the Park Plaza South Parking Garage at 1137 Commerce St. The 381 stall garage was built in 1970.

Parking garages--Tacoma--1970-1980; Park Plaza South Parking Garage (Tacoma);

Exterior view of Commerce Street store fronts housing Tacoma Beauty Supply. Signs on glass for "Chrome Furniture" and "Rilling Koolerwave".

Business Enterprises - Equipment and Fixture Suppliers - Tacoma - Tacoma Beauty Supply