About Chris

Selling a home? My real estate expertise and many effective marketing programs will give you the exposure and edge you need to sell your home quickly for top dollar.

Returning Client? I appreciate the opportunity to continue to serve you and hope you take advantage of the valuable resources I provide. Come back to visit often!

I consider University Place, Pierce County and the entire Puget Sound region an excellent place to reside.  I would love to share with you my enthusiasm for the many neighborhoods that encompass it.   I pride myself on providing unparalleled service and look forward to developing a long-term relationship with you. Please feel free to contact me if you would like to discuss how I can best assist you with your real estate needs.

Sincerely,

Chris Barrett

University Place City History

University Place is a new city with a rich history. In the late 1800s, it was proposed that a university be located and built in the community. However, financial worries and concerns eventually canceled any plans to build a university here. Nevertheless, the community became known as the "university place," and the name stuck. Since then University Place has become a suburban residential community, proud of its history, eager to retain its unique quality of life and looking ahead to future challenges.

Approximately one hundred years after the community received its name, a movement began toward local government and local control. Groups formed to discuss incorporation; other factions opposed incorporation. In November 1994 proponents succeeded in passing a ballot measure which established 7.86 square miles of unincorporated Pierce County into the City of University Place.

This, of course, was just the beginning of the journey to cityhood. What followed were the struggles to meet the deadlines associated with legally establishing a new city and preparations to begin providing municipal services. Council members were elected, an interim city manager selected, and start-up staff hired. This group, with the help of literally thousands of hours of volunteer efforts, made the quantum leap from the dream of becoming a city to reality. Today, University Place is a community of nearly 32,000 people.

The challenges that face University Place today are how to address citizens' concerns and needs efficiently and effectively, how to spend our resources carefully, to safeguard the history of the community, and to prepare wisely for the future.

Community Profile

How the City Got its Name
The name "University Place" has existed since the late 1800's.  During this time, the Methodist Church sought a larger site for Puget Sound University (currently the University of Puget Sound).  Through a combination of donated and purchased land, the Church obtained 420 acres near present day Lemons Beach and Parkway Loop.  They designated sixty acres for the campus, and intended to fund its construction by selling the adjacent lots.

The financial panic of 1893 devalued the land and excavation of the site halted. After being forfeited for nonpayment of taxes, the lots were sold in 1901.   The name "University Place" remained, however, along with a map of the planned campus.