Tacoma is one of the only major metropolitan cities without a downtown International district. This is due to a plethora of issues of which I think most are aware of or can research to learn more.

I propose a revitalization of Japantown around Fawcett Ave. Currently a large majority of the lots are vacant ripe for development. What does remain from old Japan town should be preserved (IE: 100+ year old Buddhist church)

This could be accomplished via a partnership with the UWT, our Japanese sister city and the City of Tacoma. I could see us bringing engineering students from our sister city as part of an exchange program to help plan in the development of a new international district

Reading the Japanese hopes and dreams for Tacoma nearly 100 years ago is heart warming yet saddening. They arguably loved our fair city more than us, unfortunately very little is left of their legacy
http://urbandetails.tacomasun.com/washington/tacoma/japantown/history_of_the_japanese_in_tacoma.pdf

We seem to be losing these at an unacceptable rate and the City doesn't do much. For cultural, historical and economic development programs, preservation should be a major element.