News Release >From the City of Tacoma, Washington www.cityoftacoma.org<http://www.cityoftacoma.org> FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Feb. 16, 2012 MEDIA CONTACTS Karrie Spitzer, Community Relations, karrie.spitzer@cityoftacoma.org<mailto:karrie.spitzer@cityoftacoma.org>, (253) 591-5790 Rebecca Solverson, Community and Economic Development, rsolverson@cityoftacoma.org<mailto:rsolverson@cityoftacoma.org>, (253) 591-5560 Spaceworks Tacoma success in the Hilltop Business District Spaceworks Tacoma is excited to announce that two project sites in the Hilltop Business District have converted to house full-time independent business tenants. After just six months with the program, both Fab-5<http://fab5org.wordpress.com/> and N. Dybevik Piano Company<http://www.ndybevik.com/N._Dybevik/News_and_Shows/News_and_Shows.html> have transitioned into leases with the property owner of the Spaceworks building located at 1310-1316 Martin Luther King, Jr. Way. "I can't imagine a better use for the building than Spaceworks," said Oliver Doriss, owner of the next-door Fulcrum Gallery. "The block is completely different now - traffic to my business has increased and there are more eyes on the block keeping the area safe." In 2011, Spaceworks supported 18 creative enterprises; exhibited 28 large-scale art installations; activated 20 ground-level retail spaces; supported over 70 events and performances; inspired over 40 articles in local press; and attracted over 16,500 visitors. "With the stabilization of these two projects, it is clear that Spaceworks 'works' as an economic development tool," said Tacoma Arts Administrator Amy McBride. "We're not only providing opportunities for local artists and entrepreneurs, but strengthening business districts plagued by chronic vacancy." Spaceworks Tacoma is a joint initiative of the City of Tacoma, the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce, and Shunpike designed to activate empty storefronts and vacant space in downtown Tacoma. The initiative makes no- and low-cost temporary space available to artists, fledgling creative entrepreneurs, organizations and community groups. For more information, visit www.spaceworkstacoma.com<http://www.spaceworkstacoma.com> or email rsolverson@cityoftacoma.org<mailto:rsolverson@cityoftacoma.org>. ###