Thursday, May 15, 2008

Are You Curious?


Are you curious just how good those views are from the top of The Commencement building? I spoke with Becky Exceen, marketing guru for the project yesterday. I discovered we can check out these spectacular views in person!

Hardhat tours are available the last Saturday of each month with a light lunch from Don’s Market. The next tour will be May 31st from 11 am to 2 pm. I’ll be there, camera in hand. We’ll get a 2 minute safety briefing, hardhat and tour after signing a release form. This is an active construction site, so no one under 16 years old, closed toe shoes and long pants only. Call Becky to confirm your attendance at (253) 219-9747.

Here’s the latest on the project:

They have started building the 4th floor now (the building will be 6 stories in all). Occupancy is scheduled for March 2009. They are just finishing a sales center remodel; freshening and updating the look. The center now reflects new options and increased upgrades available to buyers.

The building has 60 units, 20 of which are sold already (a year away from completion). Becky confirmed that development owners have purchased 3 of those, reflecting their confidence in this project. List prices currently start at $955,000. There is no age limit and pets are allowed. Becky felt the unique location and building amenities would help shield them from some of the current market challenges.

Marketing efforts have focused on reaching out to the greater Tacoma area by sponsoring events and participating in local happenings. The Chamber of Commerce’s “Together Thursday” will be at the sales center tonight. The Commencement has sponsored things with Northwest Sinfonietta, Tacoma Art Museum and the Broadway Center, among others. They were one of the sponsors for our local Point Defiance Music Fest and Ruston Art Walk last year, too.

The sales center will be hosting an event for the Broadway Center during the Business District celebration on May 29th. They’ll have a balloon artist on hand, and will open their doors as one of the stops on the District tour.

The sales center has an occasional Sunday brunch for buyers and prospective buyers. It’s a chance to get to know each other and view construction progress. It’s a way to build relationships and start this community within a community. Becky notes that although these are high-end homes, the owners are warm people who care about their world. Many of them are committed to various charities and want to be involved in their new community.

I’m struck by the huge transformation this project represents for Ruston ~ from a working class, blue collar town to one of the area’s biggest high-end projects. We’ve come a long way, with many battle scars. But its time to set aside the fight and welcome our new neighbors to Ruston, and hope we have a town to share with them well into the future.

Karen

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Karen, I think we all agree to move ahead except for the council roundheads who are more intent on evil than good.