18-04-2025
$25M renovation proposed for Tacoma's Museum of Glass. Here's what we know
A pre-application filed with the City of Tacoma is the start of a long-planned renovation and expansion for the Museum of Glass.
The filing dated April 11 proposes an expansion and renovation for the museum, 1801 Dock St., and lists a tentative date for permit application as July, with construction tentatively to start next year, though both dates are subject to change.
The filing lists the project at an estimated $25 million.
The plans, first announced in 2023, call for a permanent legacy gallery dedicated to Italian glass master Lino Tagliapietra. The artist selected the Museum of Glass as home to his legacy and art and has visited the museum multiple times through the years.
He completed multiple residencies and appearances in the Museum's Hot Shop to standing-room-only audiences, with his artistry seen both in person and globally through the Hot Shop's online livestream.
MOG also has had several major exhibitions of his work.
Tagliapietra is contributing art from his archive to fill a new permanent gallery space at the museum.
In 2023, the museum said in its announcement that MOG's 'goal for this new permanent gallery is to highlight Lino's mastery and vision, with the hope that it inspires future generations of glass artists to continue to push the boundaries of the medium and galvanizes viewers to gain deeper understanding of its history and possibilities as it continues to evolve.'
The museum was built in 2001 and includes approximately 130,500 gross square feet, including a 58,176-square-foot parking garage with 179 parking stalls.
As described in MOG's letter and initial draft construction outlines to the city, the museum's plans call for development in two phases. The first phase includes renovation of interior galleries and conversion of portions of the existing parking garage to storage and workshop spaces.
According to the letter, 'No change in total building area is proposed as a part of Phase A.'
The second phase, the letter states, 'includes an exterior building entry addition that necessitates reconfiguring the existing adjacent store. Additional square footage includes approximately 3,800 square feet devoted to the new building entrance and a slightly enlarged museum store.'
It adds, 'No new employees are proposed.'
The existing cone structure will remain and 'will not increase in height,' it added.
'The proposed renovations and expansion will modify the existing building exterior and area; however, all work will be within the previously developed hardscape above the parking garage,' the letter noted.
The project description also noted that construction of the first phase is anticipated to begin early next year, and the start of the second phase by that summer.
Tim Butler is marketing and communications director for the museum. He told The News Tribune in a brief phone interview Thursday that the project is still 'very much in the early stages' and added that more details would be available in the next few months.
The renovation to existing gallery space is 'to make sure that we can honor this artist and make sure that his legacy is here at MOG, and put this collection on view for the public,' Butler said.
'We are currently fundraising for the project,' he added.
