Union Station has survived the end of passenger rail service, years of abandonment and a transformation into a federal courthouse. Now Tacoma’s landmark at 1717 Pacific Avenue is preparing for another consequential chapter: a renovation designed to make it safer in an earthquake.
The project moved forward with a September 10 pre-application from the U.S. General Services Administration and Seattle architecture firm NBBJ. The filing describes seismic retrofitting and other work throughout the historic courthouse. It is an early planning step, with construction tentatively scheduled to start in the final months of 2027 and finish in late 2030.
The urgency lies beneath the familiar copper dome. A 2016 GSA assessment placed Union Station among the agency’s buildings with the highest seismic risk. An earlier federal project plan calls for new structural support for the historic building’s masonry walls and rotunda dome.
The proposed work extends beyond earthquake protection. The recent filing includes fire protection upgrades, roof repairs, restoration of interior finishes and work to address water damage in the rotunda. Some interior spaces would need to be rebuilt to make room for the structural changes.
That combination of engineering and preservation makes this a particularly delicate job. Built in 1911 as a railroad station, the building later became a courthouse. Its rotunda is now home to Dale Chihuly glass art, including a chandelier suspended beneath the dome.
Security changes are also under consideration, including possible barriers near entrances and changes to the north parking area. Those elements remain part of the proposal, rather than settled details.
Congress provided $79.26 million for Union Station upgrades in 2024. The newer pre-application lists an estimated $60 million valuation for the work it describes; the two figures refer to different documents and should not be read as a final price change.
For now, the renovation is still in planning. As the design advances, one practical question remains: how will the federal court operate while crews work inside one of Tacoma’s most treasured buildings? Read The News Tribune’s report on the filing for more on the proposed work and the questions still to be answered..
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