Title
Approval of the Downtown Improvement and Theater District Funding Package
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve the Downtown Improvement and Theater District Funding Package
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve a funding package aimed at the continued effort to make downtown Olympia more welcoming and vibrant and support the theaters located in Olympia’s Theater District.
Staff Contact:
Mike Reid, Economic Development Director, Office of Community Vitality, 360.753.8591
Presenter(s):
Mike Reid, Economic Development Director
Background and Analysis:
At the April 19, 2023 Finance Committee staff lead a conversation with the committee as part of the “Reports and Updates” on some of the successes and challenges associated with post-pandemic economic recovery efforts as it relates to downtown Olympia. An area of success is the improved economic activity and public perception of downtown as articulated in a recent editorial in The Olympian, titled “If you haven’t been to downtown Olympia lately, you might be surprised at how popular it is” (dated March 27, 2023). This editorial highlighted some public and business sentiment specifically a survey conducted by the Olympia Downtown Alliance, specifically a 21% increase (now 84%) of respondents identifying that downtown is “on the right track” as compared to 2020 survey asking the same question.
Alternatively in an article in The Olympian on April 17, 2023 titled “Olympia’s live theater companies among many nationwide struggling to bring back audiences” it is apparent that the recovery is not being felt equally. A recently published analysis supports this assertion being a nationwide trend. In a report published by IMPACTS Experience it is highlighted that local performing arts centers (specifically live theater venues) have failed to return to pre-2019 attendance numbers and in fact are the highest impacted community cultural venues (such as parks, museums, sports arenas, and science centers). Report title “The Pandemic has still shifted the types of Cultural Entities prefer to visit” is linked as an attachment to this staff report.
For this reason, staff is recommending a funding package aimed at continuing the momentum to revitalize downtown and provide targeted support for the live performance and theater venues in the Theater District downtown.
This funding package will include downtown improvement efforts such as lighting enhancements, support for vacant space activation/retail pop-up program, a placemaking microgrant program, expanded sidewalk pressure washing, and support for the expansion of the popular “LoveOly” brand campaign such as window clings for vacant storefronts, street pole banners, and pole wraps.
Additionally, funding will be awarded to three theaters in downtown Olympia in exchange for the development of and annual reporting on low-income access programs and reporting on disability access improvements made to the facilities.
A requirement of funding to the theaters will be to submit an annual report for 10 years identifying efforts and activities in the following areas:
• Development a “low income or affordable access program” and reporting on total numbers of discounted tickets or program participants.
• Complete an “Accessibility Assessment” and report annually on completed improvements.
• Host a community benefiting meeting/event/forum semi-annually.
• Identify and implement ways to support emerging artists and arts entrepreneurs.
Failure to report annually will disqualify the theater organizations from future funding such as Lodging Tax, Cultural Access Tax, and City grants.
Finally to support the continued work associated with the continuation of the Olympia Indie Music History Project that was commissioned by the Olympia Heritage Commission.
The proposed funding package totals $412,500 and would be funded from the Economic Development Reserves.
Project Amount
Downtown Lighting Enhancements $20,000
Retail Pop-Up Program/Vacant Space Activation $35,000
Placemaking Microgrant Program $15,000
Pressure Washing Expansion $7,500
LoveOly Brand Expansion $10,000
Harlequin Productions $150,000
Olympia Film Society - Capitol Theater $100,000
Olympia Family Theater $50,000
Olympia Indie Music History Project $25,000
Total $412,500
Climate Analysis:
There is no clear climate impact associated with this funding proposal.
Equity Analysis:
Requiring the development and annual reporting of low income/affordable ticket programs and disability accessibility assessments at these three theaters is in alignment with the city’s equity objectives and provides annual monitoring on how these community assets are working towards greater inclusion and participation for low income and disabled community members.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
This work has a clear tie back to the 2017 adopted Downtown Strategy that identified the community’s vision and goals for downtown to be a more vibrant and attractive place to live, work, and play. This strategy was built with extensive community process and is the origin of the identified Theater District and efforts around lighting, placemaking, and city investments in downtown.
Financial Impact:
The Economic Development Reserves currently has an available fund balance of $2,063,450. If this package of funding is approved as presented it will reduce the fund balance to $1,650,550. This fund is reserved for economic development initiatives and was the source of funding for the majority of the pandemic related recovery programs.
Options:
1. Approve the Downtown Improvement and Theater District Funding Package as presented.
2. Modify the Downtown Improvement and Theater District Funding Package.
3. Reject the Downtown Improvement and Theater District Funding Package.
Attachments:
Presentation
Link to Cultural Entities People Prefer to Visit Report