University of Washington Tacoma begins classes in Perkins Building on October 1, 1990.

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On October 1, 1990, the University of Washington's Tacoma Campus begins classes for 176 students in the Perkins Building at 1103 A Street. The temporary location is designed to serve approximately 400 juniors and seniors. The campus will move to a permanent location in 1997.

In 1986 Governor Booth Gardner's Higher Education Coordination Board recommended the branch campus concept for both Washington State University and the University of Washington. The Perkins Building was selected because it had the necessary space for the five years needed to build a permanent facility. The Downtown Tacoma Association raised $1 million in pledges toward purchase of a permanent site.

On May 29, 1997, the University of Washington Tacoma opened at 1900 Commerce Street in a renovated warehouse. In 2002, the campus served approximately 2,000 juniors, seniors, and graduate students.

Sources:
Skip Card, "Special Report: Downtown Turns Around," The News Tribune (Tacoma), June 23, 2002, p. A-8; Linda W. Y. Parrish, "UW Branch Can Make Dream Come True," The Seattle Times, September 24, 1990, p. A-1; Ron Judd and Margaret Bakken, "Branch-Campus Sites: Canyon Park, Tacoma," Ibid., December 7, 1989, p. A-1.

By David Wilma , January 30, 2003

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City of Tacoma Economic Development Department

Perkins Building (1905), Tacoma, 1900s
Postcard

UW Tacoma (1997), artist's sketch
Courtesy University of Washington