Editorial: Puyallup’s economy would benefit from LIFT

Puyallup deserves to receive a state LIFT grant. But to get it, the city is going up against University Place, Tacoma and six other Washington municipalities. “LIFT” stands for the Local Infrastructure Financing Tool program, which will award up to $1 million a year for the next 25 years to selected communities. Only one community per county is selected.

The LIFT program would give Puyallup the tools it needs to connect its two economic hubs — the downtown core and South Hill — into one business center. Doing that would enable the city to focus on transit-oriented development, telecommunications, parks, trails, storm water drainage and various infrastructure ideas.

Last year, Pierce County was overlooked when the first LIFT grants were awarded, so many officials believe the county will get special consideration this year.

Puyallup has a strong case for obtaining the grant. The city has already invested $60 million in downtown growth, including the construction of the new city hall, and $10 million on streets, parks and trails. Sound Transit was prepared to invest an additional $50 million on commuter parking had Proposition 1 passed.

Puyallup is a rapidly growing community. The city is projecting that the LIFT could help create 8,600 jobs, 1,500 new homes and return more than $600 million of sales and property taxes in the next 25 years.

Puyallup may no longer get to brag about the hops crop or the daffodil fields but it’s a desirable place for people to live, work and play. More than a dozen civic and community leaders submitted letters of support with the LIFT grant application, including Good Samaritan Hospital, Benaroya, Sound Transit, Pierce College Puyallup and Pierce County Executive John Ladenburg.

Even if the city isn’t selected this year, it’s something it should aim for in the future. In the meantime, all the work that was done for the application can be used as a wish list for Puyallup’s future. Sure, it will take longer to implement ideas without the state’s funding but it helps provide direction.