About the Project
A University of Washington studio group working with Pierce County to support community engagement around the question of incorporation for South Hill.
We are a Master of Urban Planning studio group at the University of Washington, working alongside Livable City Year @ UW and Pierce County Planning & Public Works for six months on the question of incorporation for South Hill, Washington.
With over 78,000 residents as of 2024, South Hill is the second largest community in Pierce County and the largest unincorporated community in Washington State. As a rapidly growing area, South Hill's need for reliable urban services continues to rise.
Our role is focused on community engagement. We are not here to advocate for a particular outcome. We are here to inform, listen, and create space for community conversation.
Identifying meaningful, accessible ways to reach South Hill residents and hear from a broad cross-section of the community.
Developing plain-language resources, including this website and our Incorporation Primer, to help residents understand the question and engage in an informed discussion.
Facilitating community conversations, including our Open House, to surface concerns, opportunities, and priorities directly from the people who live and work in South Hill.
Supporting ongoing community awareness and participation so residents remain engaged and informed as this conversation continues beyond our studio quarter.
Our Scope This Quarter
As a student studio group focused on this project for six months, our work is focused on community engagement. Here is how we fit into the bigger picture:
Our primary focus is people through developing informational materials, hosting community events, and creating space for residents to learn about the incorporation question and share their perspectives.
Pierce County has commissioned an independent consulting firm to conduct a fiscal feasibility analysis to examine potential revenues, costs, and a range of potential tax rates to ensure the viability of a new city government after incorporation. Findings are expected in mid-2026 and will be shared with the community.
We are helping residents think through foundational questions: What services do you rely on today? What might change? What area should be included in any potential city? These are conversation-starters, not conclusions. The full analysis goes well beyond the scope of our project.
What might a local government for South Hill look like? We may surface this question in community discussions, but a thorough governance analysis is beyond what our studio is tasked with. For now, we want to know what residents think matters most.
Ultimately, any decision about South Hill's future belongs to the people who live there. Our job is to make sure residents and businesses have accurate, accessible information and a real chance to weigh in.