KNKX hosting open house to view new studios

88.5 KNKX has moved into their new studios on Broadway between 9th & 11th in downtown Tacoma & Kate Iida wrote an article on the station in today’s  The News Tribune .  The public news/jazz/blues outlet has spent the past 5 1/2 months converting a historic building at 930 Broadway into a 7,625 sq ft facility containing offices, a soundproof studio at a cost of $3.4 million to construct.  The station has also purchased completely new equipment as some of the existing gear was first obtained when KPLU first acquired it’s license back in the late 60’s.  Since becoming a public station after it’s sale by Pacific Lutheran University, the station has been committed to making changes as a result of the sale agreement.  One of those was to firmly plant the station in Tacoma & remain a station determined to serve it’s city of license.  The studio’s grand opening on Saturday will have live music performed by musicians from the Northwest and speeches by Mayor Victoria Woodards and others.  As KNKX president Joey Cohn explained to the News-Tribune: “The decision to stay in Tacoma was largely based on our history.  Tacoma was instrumental in saving the station. The Tacoma City Council had a save KPLU day. It was an emotional decision in that we felt a sense of loyalty to Tacoma.”

This weekend’s open house will feature local musicians Johnaye Kendrick Quartet, Kareem Kandi Band and Bill Ramsay Quartet will perform, along with students from Tacoma’s School of the Arts. Mayor Victoria Woodards, State Rep. Jake Fey and others will make remarks. Connie McCloud from the Puyallup Tribe will give a special blessing.  The festivities take place Saturday from 10am – 3pm & admission is free.

Midday jazz host Dick Stein in KNKX’s new  studio in downtown Tacoma.  Photo: Tony Overman, The Olympian

Update: Tour the new KNKX studios