The five buildings include a row of three buildings along Pacific Avenue, known collectively as the Cherry-Parkes Building, and two buildings across Commerce Street uphill, known as the Mattress Factory.

The project is regulated by the Tacoma Landmarks Commission, and all five buildings are listed on the National Register of Historical Buildings.

As the negotiated gc/cm, Lewis has been a member of the preconstruction team — preparing budget options, constructability reviews and on-site investigations of existing conditions. The project involves selective demolition and replacement of some structural members, windows and other elements to maintain the buildings’ historic status while supporting modern program and building system requirements.

Phase 2b is being built to LEED standards for sustainability, with a goal of achieving a “certified” rating. The project is currently on track to receive a higher rating of “silver.” As part of the LEED certification, all 456 historic windows were salvaged and are being refurbished and reused by local businesses within the community. Some additional LEED/sustainability elements include:

• an intensive recycling program, currently diverting 78 percent of construction debris from landfills;

• over $1 million in existing building materials are being refurbished and reused, including about 450 tons of brick, as well as wood beams and columns to be re-milled into wood treads, railings and base work;

• an intensive indoor air quality plan has been implemented to ensure a good work environment during construction, and later as a study/work environment for the university; and

• exterior brick facades will undergo extensive restoration efforts to bring back the unreinforced load-bearing brick conditions while maintaining the aesthetic historic character.