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Debbie Wigman: Grocery anchor plans, and staff report on LEAP/EIC shows training gains but apprentices still below target
Summary
City staff told the committee a large grocery operator filed a pre-application for a 30,000–40,000 sq ft store in Tacoma and described expected $8 million tenant improvements and a targeted 2027 opening; a follow-up staff presentation reported LEAP and EIC training activity (11 events, 432 participants in 2025) and rising but still-subtarget apprentice numbers.
Debbie Wigman updated the Economic Development Committee on retail activity and planning for a proposed grocery anchor at the South Union shopping center and city staff provided a separate, detailed response on local-hire and equity contracting programs.
Wigman said a grocery operator filed a pre-application to occupy the former Hobby Lobby space on South Union. In the presentation Wigman cited plan materials that describe a 30,000–40,000 square-foot grocery with multiple tenants, an estimated 100–150 employees and roughly $8,000,000 in tenant improvements. Wigman said the operator has strong local community interest and ties to the Japanese American community in Tacoma; staff will follow the planning and permitting process and said the chain hopes to open in the first half of 2027.
Later in the meeting a staff presenter identified as Deborah responded to earlier committee questions about LEAP (local hiring requirements) and the EIC (equity in contracting) program. The presenter said Tacoma PDAs are meeting a 15% local-priority hire threshold on applicable projects, but that apprentice participation from the TPU service area remains below the 15% target though it is "trending up." On capacity building she said EIC programming ran 11 events in 2025 with 432 participants, provided technical assistance on bonding and capability statements, and helped firms pursue certification required to be considered EIC contractors.
The staff presenter described the program enforcement and verification process: contractors submit plans that indicate how they will meet local-hire and apprentice targets, city reviewers verify those plans, and the city follows up during and at the end of projects; penalties may be enforced where contractors fail to meet commitments. The presenter also said the city’s workforce training focuses on construction trades, IT and warehousing/logistics and includes connections to state apprenticeship pathways.
A public commenter representing regional partners supported LEAP and community workforce agreements, noted issues with how employers sometimes request particular apprentices and said the carpenter's union does not restrict such requests. Committee members thanked staff and identified follow-up opportunities to connect smaller local businesses with incoming tenants.
The meeting adjourned after a motion and aye vote.
