Tag Archives: Elks

The Elks Are Moving

Elks Lodge #174 has sold (is selling?) their property at Union Avenue and South 23rd Street (1965 South Union) to Walmart. The existing 76,000 square foot building had a construction cost of $1.5 to $2 million and was dedicated in 1965. At that time it had the highest membership of any elk’s lodge in the U.S.

A photograph of the dedication can be found here (thanks Tacoma Public Library!) http://search.tacomapubliclibrary.org/images/dt6n.asp?un=3&pg=1&address=1965+and+SO+and+AVE+and+UNION&stemming=&phonic=&fuzzy=&maxfiles=

The building will be demolished and a Walmart Superstore (the largest of the Walmart floor plans) will be constructed. The Elks will have a new, modern lodge constructed at a different location. The original elks building was constructed on Broadway Avenue and is proposed to be converted into a McMenamins.

www.tacomaelks.com

Really Love Something

The new place of the day is the parking lot next to the old Elks Club.  The parking lot itself is poorly maintained with weeds and broken glass.  When I drove past, I saw that art had occurred twice!  There is a great sign that says Really Love Something and colorful tape art on the side of the building.

For more info on the Street Sign Project, check out their Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Street-Sign-Project/190125424342675

And here are a couple of articles about the project

http://www.cityartsonline.com/issues/tacoma/2011/07/street-signs

http://www.weeklyvolcano.com/entertainment/arts-feature/2011/06/the-street-sign-project-tacoma-takes-public-art-a-step-further/

For a related new place, see http://blog.firsttries.com/?p=3187