By MES Dispatch Staff
The Briefing
- An electrical rooftop fire at the Temple Theatre in Tacoma’s Stadium District on May 12 prompted city inspectors to discover at least three unpermitted residential apartments operating inside the historic building, which is not registered for residential use.
- The City of Tacoma issued a “Do Not Occupy” order on June 11 after discovering tenants had been renting units ranging from one-bedroom apartments at $1,600-$1,700 monthly, with one tenant living in the building for more than a year before the fire.
- The building’s owner, Lawrence Boileau, has not responded to requests for comment; tenants reported they did not know the units were illegal and lacked proper lease documentation.
- Tenants informed the Tacoma Fire Department of their residency on the day of the fire, but the city did not issue the “Do Not Occupy” order until June 11, nearly a month later, after receiving a complaint through the city’s 311 system on June 1.
- The rooftop fire knocked out power to the building; one tenant has remained without heat or electricity since May 12 and has not received relocation assistance required by law within seven days of the occupancy order.
TACOMA, WASH. — An electrical fire that erupted on the rooftop of the historic Temple Theatre on May 12 resulted in the discovery of unpermitted residential apartments inside the building, prompting the City of Tacoma to issue a “Do Not Occupy” order on June 11 and displacing at least three tenants.
The Temple Theatre, also known as the Landmark Convention Center, is located in the Stadium District and is not registered for residential use. City officials stated they had no knowledge of tenant occupancy prior to the fire. Building owner Lawrence Boileau did not respond to requests for comment regarding the illegal residential units.
Tenants interviewed by local media reported they believed they were renting legitimate apartments. One tenant, Nick Marsh, stated he had lived in a one-bedroom unit in the building for more than a year, paying $1,600 monthly in cash with a $2,100 security deposit. Marsh said he never received or signed a lease agreement. He vacated the building on June 2, more than a week before the city issued its occupancy closure order.
Another tenant, who requested anonymity due to concerns about landlord retaliation, moved into a one-bedroom apartment on April 18, less than a month before the fire, at a cost of $4,000 deposit and $1,700 monthly rent. That tenant has not received a copy of the lease despite repeated requests. The unit featured views of Commencement Bay and Mount Rainier, along with storage space for recreational equipment.
Since the May 12 fire knocked out electrical power to the structure, the anonymous tenant has lacked heating or electricity. Living conditions included cooking on a camping stove, taking cold showers, and sleeping under four blankets for warmth. The tenant contacted the city seeking assistance and to secure alternative housing by the end of the following week while maintaining a full-time job.
Both tenants informed Tacoma Fire Department personnel of their residency on the day of the fire. However, the city did not issue the “Do Not Occupy” order until June 11. City Spokesperson Maria Lee stated that the city received a tenant complaint through the 311 system on June 1 regarding up to four unpermitted residential units.
Under city law, a “Do Not Occupy” order requires the building owner to provide relocation assistance to displaced tenants within seven days. As of the article date, the tenant remaining in the building had not received relocation assistance despite repeated attempts to contact management. The only communication avenue available was through the building’s maintenance worker, who also resides on the property and has not responded to inquiries.
The City of Tacoma’s spokesperson said displaced individuals requiring emergency shelter assistance should contact the Red Cross or Associated Ministries. Tenants with questions about their rights are directed to contact the city’s Landlord-Tenant Program through 311. City inspectors are scheduled to conduct follow-up inspections at the venue this week and will post informational materials at the building entrances.