UW Tacoma to seek developer for on-campus student housing and dining development project

The University of Washington Tacoma has received the green light from the UW Board of Regents to advance its student housing and dining development project to the request for proposals stage, allowing the campus to begin the formal process to solicit proposals from potential development partners.

The project, planned as a public-private partnership, was presented to the UW Board of Regents on Nov. 13. The board approved the site and property for development, authorized the university to solicit a developer through a formal proposal process and begin preconstruction design work.

With a targeted opening of late 2029, the project will create space for an additional 500 students to live on the UW Tacoma campus, increasing the number of residential students to approximately 15 percent of the overall student body.

The project also includes plans for UW Tacoma’s first traditional dining hall, a highly sought-after amenity that will offer students healthy, flexible meal options and a welcoming space to gather, connect and build community on campus.

The campus currently has only one residential apartment building, the Court 17 Residence Hall, which UW Tacoma Chancellor Sheila Edwards Lange said limits the campus's ability to recruit students seeking more traditional amenities found at other institutions.

As UW Tacoma evolves from a primarily commuter campus to a more residential university, Lange said this transition will increase student involvement and support an “always open” campus environment.

"As we move forward, we’re carefully considering how our university environment enhances the student experience,” Lange said. “This transformation will bring all students to the heart of campus, creating a stronger Tacoma Huskies community and a more vibrant downtown Tacoma."

The student housing and dining development project is part of UW Tacoma’s vision to revitalize its campus core, one of the strategic areas of focus outlined in its recently completed campus master plan.

Developed in partnership with world-renowned design firm Bjarke Ingels Group, the master plan supports UW Tacoma's long-term goal of increasing its total enrollment to 10,000 students while expanding its physical footprint in downtown Tacoma. Once complete, campus boundaries will extend from S. 17th Street to S. 21st Street, and from Pacific Avenue to Tacoma Avenue.

Moira Kelley, a UW Tacoma senior majoring in business management, shared her experience as a resident assistant with the board, emphasizing that a vibrant residential life benefits the entire campus community.

"Students who live and learn together create ripple effects that spread through classrooms, student organizations and the Tacoma community," Kelley said. "The sense of connection we build here supports academic success, mental well-being and long-term pride in being part of UW Tacoma. That’s why the new housing and dining project is so meaningful. It’s not just about new buildings. It’s about building belonging."

About the University of Washington Tacoma: 
The University of Washington Tacoma is an urban-serving institution committed to expanding access to higher education and driving positive change across the South Sound and beyond. As part of the University of Washington, the campus provides interdisciplinary programs, user-inspired research and hands-on learning experiences that prepare students for leadership in their careers and communities. Now celebrating its 35th anniversary, UW Tacoma continues to build on its legacy of empowering students and strengthening the region through education, research and community engagement.