The signs on the doors at Freighthouse Square are blunt. “No trespassing. This building is closed to transient and commuter thru traffic."
The message goes on; “If you are not a paying customer of the Freighthouse merchants then do not enter this building. You must go around.”
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For commuters streaming off the Sounder train in Tacoma, the signs and their very direct message are unexpected.
“That’s kind of odd, actually,” said Belledonna Root. “Freighthouse is kind of really popular and a lot of people come here.”
Freighthouse Square owner Brian Borgelt says he put up the no-trespassing signs because of a dispute over construction of a new Amtrak station that included tearing down a huge section of the building.
Borgelt claims work crews and newly imposed easement restrictions are blocking access for business owners. And he said he’s not getting answers after complaining to Sound Transit, Amtrak, and the State Department of Transportation.
“We’re not having very good luck taking the high road, so we’re just kind of plumbing down to their level,” Borgelt said. “See what happens.”
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Sharon Austin, co-owner of Luvee's jewelry inside the building, didn't know the signs were there until KIRO 7 showed them to her. Asked if she wanted commuters passing by her shop, Austin answered, “Yeah, definitely. The commuters? Yeah, especially from the train.”
But Borgelt says the commuters pouring through the building when trains arrive don't bring in much business.
“They’re a net negative economically and they always have been,” he said.
Becky Graham, who owns a shop inside the square, agreed: “It gets busy, unfortunately the commuters do not go into any of the shops.”
Sound Transit spokeswoman Kimberley Reason was unaware of the signs and released the following statement: “Sound Transit has easement rights from the building owner for passengers to enter and exit the train platform through the breezeway.
The building owner is seeking to prevent commuters from entering or exiting the building through other access points.
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