The Pacific Plaza retrofit project was built through the cooperation of a public/private partnership between the City of Tacoma and the Pacific Plaza Development, LLC. The climate of the Pacific Northwest drove the design of the green roof and the irrigation system, which is fed with harvested rainwater, is not connected to the potable water supply. Completed on July 17, 2009, the green roof on this parking garage-turned office building enhances the downtown area and represents one of the many progressive, green initiatives in this innovative rehab.

The green roof was established with a combination of sedum cuttings distributed on the entire surface of the green roof and native and adapted perennials seeded into the center of the roof, establishing two separate planting zones. The green roof covers approximately 85% of the roof area and is visible from many of the adjacent buildings. The Irrigation system is designed to run only through the months of May through September and is connected to a rain sensor to avoid unnecessary water loss. When the cistern levels are low the irrigation levels are dialed back, and when the cistern is full, irrigation levels are increased.