Name that space - Step I: The Names

After some discussion yesterday, it seems to me like we should hold a good ol' fashion poll to help guide the Tacoma city council in naming/re-naming Pacific Plaza. First, we need names, people. Throw your ideas for possible names for the current Pacific Plaza in the comments below or email them to me. From there I'll post a poll this Thursday so everyone can pick their favorite. I'll post the results next week and will be in contact with the city council to let them know what you think.

A truly public place like the plaza downtown should encourage an active public right from the beginning. For the city to completely bypass that sentiment and put forth a name of their choosing without active public input is perplexing. It's not often something needs a name in a historically established town like ours. It seems that most of those names go to the highest bidder/contributor. This space, Pacific Plaza, could be like a living room for this entire community and I think we should have a little fun with it and try something new.

Suggest away and make sure to come back Thursday morning to vote for your favorite.

Comments (7) | To Top

8/7/2006 @ 8:15am

Why not "Public Square"? Too obvious? Peoples Plaza?

by Judy Leyden

8/7/2006 @ 8:29am

I'm partial to anything that's more descriptive of its location and is easy to say. Honestly, as generic as Pacific Plaza is, I think it's easy to remember. I also like some of Eric's suggestions where he was aiming to include the art museums and/or convention center in the name (i.e., Tacoma Art Plaza, Convention Center Plaza).

And as for the officially proposed name, I think it'd much better to dedicate the plaza to Mr. Harold M. Tollefson with a memorial plaque, rather than naming it after him. I just get the feeling that people won't remember that name, and will wind up calling it Pacific Plaza, anyway.

by Cassioposa

8/7/2006 @ 11:46am

That's a good point.

The plaza has already been officially dedicated with a very functional name.

I do not know if anyone will actually switch the name at this point especially when one has to mention the street "Pacific" in describing where it is located.

With that said, many cities have places called "Marketplace Square."

So I submit

Marketplace Square

Tacoma Marketplace Square

Tacoma Art Plaza

Of course, leaving it as Pacific Plaza is a strong option as well.

by Erik

8/7/2006 @ 12:35pm

How about "Tacoma Triangle"?

by Steve

8/7/2006 @ 1:05pm

Here's my suggestions (along with keeping it Pacific Plaza):

- Pacific Marketplace Plaza
- Tollefson Pacific Plaza
- Triangle Square ;)
- Tacoma Town Square

by KevinFreitas

8/9/2006 @ 2:02am

Here are my thoughts. As someone who is a visitor to Tacoma, the name should draw in locals as well as tourists/visitors. So my two pence worth is this:

Pacific Promenade
Rainer Square
T-Town Plaza
Community Plaza
Cascade Square
And if it has to be named after the mayor: Harold Plaza

by Toni

8/14/2006 @ 8:58am

EVeryone I know likes to call it "people's plaza". afterall it's a place for the people.

by julie bennett

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