Pierce County council formalizes move to new Market Street chambers, hears facilities briefing
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Summary
The Pierce County Council voted unanimously to update county code and committee locations to reflect its move to 1501 Market Street and received a facilities presentation outlining lobby hours, chamber configurations, tenant moves and parking plans.
The Pierce County Council on March 10 adopted a resolution and an ordinance to formalize its relocation to the new County Administration Building at 1501 Market Street and heard a detailed presentation from facilities management about the project and operations in the new chambers.
The council unanimously approved Resolution R2026‑118 to list 1501 Market Street as the location for regular standing‑committee meetings and adopted Ordinance O2026‑504 to amend Pierce County Code section 1.28.040 to set the council’s regular meeting and hearing location, each by roll call vote recorded as 7‑0.
The moves follow a multi‑year Justice Center project and a county decision to consolidate non‑justice services and some administrative offices. Facilities Director Carla Emlick summarized the building plan, noting the public lobby will be open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and describing chamber layouts that can be reconfigured for circle or rectangle seating, integrated Zoom/AV systems and a vestibule for visitors who step outside briefly.
"This journey has started a long time ago," Emlick said, describing tenant moves, building status and an ongoing construction schedule. Emlick told the council the building will host county council and executive offices, communications, facilities management, finance, IT, human services and economic development, with several departments scheduled to move in over the coming months.
Chief of staff Mr. Taylor briefed the council on the code and standing‑committee updates, saying the amendments simply identify the new location and do not bar committees from meeting in community locations when properly posted as special meetings.
Council members praised the facilities team and construction contractor for the rapid work of converting the building into government offices. Councilmember Ayala thanked staff for a smooth move and for the first piece of artwork that will be placed in the chambers. Several members asked practical questions about security badges and temporary access; Emlick said staff are working on temporary badge procedures and employee parking agreements (including a contract with the convention center for overflow parking by the end of March).
The presentation closed with facilities and construction staff introducing themselves and receiving council thanks. Chair Cherry Hitchin adjourned the council's first meeting in the new chambers.
The ordinances and resolution change the official meeting location; operational details (temporary badge procedures, exact parking allocations and remaining construction milestones) were described as ongoing items staff will continue to refine.