Downtown On The Go urges Tacoma to maintain active‑transportation funding after streets initiative failed

Downtown On The Go, a Tacoma nonprofit that promotes walking, biking and transit, said the city should continue prioritizing active‑transportation projects despite tighter municipal budgets after a ballot measure failed in April.

Executive Director Laura Swanzeric told Tacoma Report the organization works with large employers, hosts community events and conducts local advocacy to advance walking, biking and transit across downtown Tacoma and Pierce County. “A lot of our focus is on maintaining funding and prioritizing of active transportation projects in the city of Tacoma,” Swanzeric said, noting that the Streets Initiative did not pass earlier in April and that the result leaves Public Works with more limited funds.

Swanzeric listed examples of work the group supports: protected bike lanes, completed ADA‑accessible sidewalks, and safer crossings on arterial roads such as South 72nd Street, Pacific Avenue and Portland Avenue. She said Downtown On The Go also provides residents with resources on how to engage with city council and organizes events such as guided historical walks and public art walks to encourage people to try walking or biking.

Swanzeric said the nonprofit is recruiting volunteers for summer events and outreach and offers resources to help people use transit and cycling as alternatives to driving. She encouraged residents to engage with council and advocacy efforts to keep active‑transportation projects prioritized when the city develops future budgets.

The broadcast segment did not report a specific City Council action, allocation or deadline tied to the Streets Initiative funding; speakers framed the need as an ongoing advocacy priority.