The outside of Tacoma’s city hall is filthy. Why no plans to clean ‘cherished symbol’?

Folks who cruise by the Tacoma Municipal Building downtown might have noticed that its towering facade looks overdue for a scrub.

Years-old grime clings to parts of the exterior walls at 747 Market St. Residents might want to know why the city hasn’t cleaned the building, so The News Tribune asked.

City spokesperson Maria Lee told the newspaper via email that the structure is a historic landmark as well as a “cherished symbol” of Grit City’s growth.

“However,” Lee said, “like many aging structures, it faces challenges.”

Exposure to the elements over the decades has dirtied the building, she said, citing organic growth and atmospheric soiling. That’s created problems like cast-stone degeneration and water infiltration.

“The City of Tacoma is committed to preserving its historic buildings while also managing a complex array of municipal responsibilities,” Lee said.

How much would it cost to clean it?

Some of the Municipal Building’s interior recently got a $325,000 face lift , The News Tribune reported in June. That work included adding a new conference table in the City Council chambers and removing two rows of chairs.

So, how would cleaning the building compare? Lee shared an estimated total cost: $1,012,600.

Freshening up important constructions can indeed be pricey. The Associated Press reported in 2018 that state lawmakers had allocated $3.4 million to an Olympia Capitol wash.

Tending to the Tacoma Municipal Building’s needs — spanning various repairs — would likely demand upward of $20 million, Lee said.

She noted there isn’t a timeline set for such work, and the city “must balance multiple critical priorities.” Local leaders have been facing Tacoma’s 2025-26 budget — a process that, she explained, invites residents to highlight issues they believe to be essential.

What was the building before it was city hall?

Downtown Tacoma’s 17-story Municipal Building first opened its doors in 1931 as the Rhodes Medical Arts Tower, as reported by SouthSoundTalk. Architect John Graham was behind the Art Deco design.

The idea to transform the tower into city hall was floated in the press in 1938 but rejected by City Council that same year, according to the article. Development Inc. of California bought the place in 1970 for $2.2 million. That revived discussion about it acting as city hall.

The city acquired 747 Market St. in 1978, Lee noted. Prior cleaning attempts might have contributed to its current state.

The old owners purportedly tried to clean the building via sandblasting at least three times, she said.

“This sandblasting removed a critical moisture layer from the cast stone,” Lee added, “replacing a smooth finish with a rough, porous surface which allowed moisture and salts into the stone, accelerated oxidation of steel reinforcement and anchors, caused spalling, cracking, joint degradation and water intrusion.”

The city later assessed the scope of the structure’s damage and developed “a phased comprehensive restoration plan,” Lee said.

Completely restoring the property would be complex, she added. However, the city has counted substantial progress with initiatives like roof repairs and parapet stabilization.

“The City of Tacoma is actively seeking funding opportunities, including grants, to support restoration of this iconic building while considering the financial implications for taxpayers,” Lee said.