At its Aug. 6 meeting, Tacoma-Pierce County Board of Health voted to co-locate the Health Department with Pierce County in the County’s proposed administration building to be constructed on Pacific Avenue.The Health Department has been having conversations with its Board of Health and County leaders about its facility needs since late last year. In April, the Board voted to provide $150,000 to participate in the design phase of the new building.Health Department leaders will continue to work with leaders at Pierce County and the City of Tacoma to participate in the planning process. The Department has no ability to raise funds for capital expenses, and Pierce County has the ultimate responsibility to provide public health services to its residents.

“We are grateful to the County Executive for giving us the opportunity to participate in the County’s new building,” said Anthony L-T Chen, MD, MPH, director of health. “Co-locating with the County in the new facility allows us to settle pressing infrastructure issues so we can remain focused on our mission of safeguarding and enhancing the health of our residents,” he said.

The current building, completed in 1976,  was designed for many services that are no longer a focus of the Health Department’s population-based approach to public health. For example, the facility previously included health care clinics and a coroner’s office.

The Health Department is an independent governmental agency that operates under an inter-local agreement between Pierce County and the City of Tacoma as is focused on its role as the innovative and reliable local source for public health information, services, data and policy.

About Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department: Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department’s mission is to safeguard and enhance the health of the communities of Pierce County. As part of its mission, the Health Department tackles known and emerging health risks through policy, programs and treatment in order to protect public health. Learn more at www.tpchd.org.