A little rain hasn’t slowed us down. Work on Maritime|253 continues to progress, in and out of the building.

Outside, work began on the parking area, with excavation and installation of conduits and foundations for lighting, and preparation for sidewalks. The construction of the steel structure for canopies on the south and west sides of the building is ongoing. Solar panel electrical rough-in work is underway.

Inside, mechanical, plumbing, and electrical systems are being installed on the second floor. Painting, tile installation, and the polishing of concrete floors is ongoing. The vision for modern, flexible classroom spaces is coming to life.

Made possible by the 2020 school construction bond approved by Tacoma voters, the future skills center is taking shape as a 42,460-square-foot hub for hands-on learning, complemented by 6,420 square feet of covered outdoor workspace. The Maritime|253 skills center sits on a 21.1-acre site owned by the Port of Tacoma, which will also be home to the Port’s new Maritime Business Center—currently under construction alongside the school.

The vision for the site extends well beyond classrooms and labs. Once complete, it will invite the community in, with public waterfront access, a lighted walkway and promenade along the Thea Foss and Wheeler-Osgood waterways, thoughtfully designed seating and landscaping, and places where visitors can connect with the water up close.