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Funding Wave Hits Foss Waterway Seaport: $4 million in Public and Private Resources Secured for K–20 Marine Science Education and Building Improvement
Late last month as the Tacoma City Council was approving
$2 million in bond funding for seismic repairs to the historic Balfour Dock Building, home of the Foss Waterway Seaport, a Seaport supporter was finalizing a $2 million gift to further develop the project's marine science education programs.
With public investments and private donations the Seaport and its project partner, the Foss Waterway Development Authority, is building a long–term gift to Tacoma and Puget Sound as it creates a destination museum and education venue that tells the story of the region's past and teaches students about the future of the Sound.
The private donation, from an unnamed donor, will help create and sustain a marine science/environmental education laboratory, classroom, and program fund at the Seaport. One million dollars of the gift will go toward the renovation and restoration of the building. The remainder of the fund will be set aside to create a marine science/environmental education fund to generate revenue for the Seaport's instructional and on–the–water experience programming.
"The Seaport has been partnering with regional school districts to provide on–the–water marine science and ecology experience learning, " explains Tom Cashman, the Seaport's executive director. "This extraordinary gift will allow us to pursue development of our facility to provide a laboratory/classroom to help area students develop a thorough understanding of issues facing Puget Sound and participate with our wide ranging program partners in real-time data gathering and analysis."
The City's $2 million investment recognizes that — as the last remaining segment of the famed 'mile–long wheat warehouse' built by the Northern Pacific Railway — the Balfour Dock Building is a special link between Tacoma's rich maritime history and current efforts to revive the city's waterfront for commercial, recreational and educational uses, Cashman says. The City's investment will go towards seismic bracing and public safety upgrades to bring the 109 year old building into full code compliance.
"These investments are critical for moving forward on our dream to introduce the region's school students to the range of issues facing Puget Sound," said Tacoma Public Schools Superintendent Art Jarvis. "Demonstrating the fun of science to young people will encourage more of them to get excited about pursuing careers in science. The Seaport is a great place to engage them."
Marine science programs, to be carried out both in the Foss Waterway Seaport's laboratory facilities and through on–water research and exploration activities, will strive to:
- Expand on the curriculum and teaching of participating school districts to provide experiences and learning beyond the traditional science classroom.
- Provide experiences and classes that can inspire and motivate students to pursue expanded and perhaps life–long study and careers in the sciences.
- Enrich students' education through programs that include hands–on research and exploration of marine science and environmental issues of the Puget Sound region.
- Increase understanding of the need to protect and preserve the water and environmental quality of Puget Sound while educating and empowering students to adopt such practices.
"Public education and involvement in Puget Sound recovery is a critical part of our Action Agenda," said David Dicks, Director of the Puget Sound Partnership. "If we're going to save the Sound, we'll need places like the Seaport to help teach children and adults about the Sound's past and how we'll give it a cleaner, sustainable future."
The influx of these recent funds follows a $750,000 capital appropriation from the State of Washington that was included in the 2010–2011 biennial state budget signed by Governor Gregoire in May. This money is earmarked for necessary seismic improvements to the building, which will begin with replacing the building roof later in the winter and spring.
For more information, contact Tom Cashman, executive director, Foss Waterway Seaport.
Office phone: 253.272.2750
Cell Phone: 253.307.6046
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