Title
Artesian Market Discussion
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Discuss the initiation of an effort to activate City owned property by seeking an operator for an entrepreneur, craft, or night market at the property commonly known as the Artesian Commons.
Report
Issue:
Whether to discuss the initiation of an effort to activate City owned property by seeking an operator for an entrepreneur, craft, or night market at the property commonly known as the Artesian Commons.
Staff Contact:
Mike Reid, Economic Development Director 360.753.8591
Daisha Versaw, Sr. Program Specialist, Economic Development 360.280.8947
Presenter(s):
Mike Reid, Economic Development Director
Daisha Versaw, Sr. Program Specialist, Economic Development
Background and Analysis:
In May 2014, the City of Olympia opened the Artesian Commons with the intention of creating an urban park-like amenity in the downtown core. Multiple efforts were made by the Parks Department, stakeholders, and partner organizations to make the park a successful and welcoming space but ultimately due numerous concerns the park was closed 2018. The property has remained closed to the public since this time.
In 2019, the City of Olympia received a Creative District designation from the Washington State Arts Commission identifying a substantial portion of downtown as a location that has a significant value to support the creative economy and continue to grow as an ideal location for emerging, innovative businesses and arts-based entrepreneurs to locate and thrive. In 2023, as part of this effort a Creative District Strategic Plan was developed with significant engagement with stakeholders in the creative economy landscape. This plan identified the following Vision Statement for the district: The Olympia Creative District features rich and diverse artistic and sensory experiences, engaging community members to develop creative endeavors.
Additionally, this plan identified five goals for the Creative District:
1. Build Community: A web of people, organizations, businesses, and grassroots groups engaged in collaborative relationships rooted in mutual trust and respect.
2. Support: Provide educational, financial, and physical resources and advocacy to
uplift and empower artists and creative businesses.
3. Promotions: To amplify the voice of artists while providing marketing tools and
support for community visibility.
4. Space: Advocacy for artists and creatives who need specific, affordable space to
create, practice or conduct business.
5. Access: Equitable accessibility for artists and the broad community to engage
without barriers.
To this end, the Economic Development program requested and received a budget enhancement in the adopted 2023 Operating Budget of $75,000 to pursue an operator of “Night Market” for the Artesian Commons property. Due to staffing constraints in 2023 this project was unable to be initiated, however the funds were requested to be carried over to 2024 so that the effort can be launched.
In similar fashion to the widely successful Olympia Farmer’s Market, the anticipated model of operation would consist of the City of Olympia retaining ownership of the asset and infrastructure (in this case the property) but would seek a transactional agreement with a business operator to program the property in a way consistent with the Creative District Strategic Plan.
Night Markets have recently emerged in surrounding communities as destinations that can activate typically under-utilized spaces, add vibrancy to nightlife, support emerging entrepreneurs through offering vending spaces, and frequently highlight locally made crafts, arts, food, and live entertainment.
Recently Night Markets (more specifically, craft markets) have been successfully tested as integral parts of LoveOly Summerfest, Winterfest, and Artswalk.
The City recently was successful in the pursuit of a $53,000 Creative District grant through the Washington Arts Commission to provide additional funding to address infrastructure improvements to the site, with a specificity towards lighting improvements.
Staff will engage the City Council in a discussion of this effort prior to launching a Request for Proposals to identify perspective partners that would seek to operate and program this space in a consistent manner.
Climate Analysis:
Our Creative District is an integral part of our downtown; elements that help to create a vibrant downtown also help contribute to climate action. Focusing growth and activity into dense neighborhood areas helps reduce dependance on cars, thereby cutting greenhouse gas emissions.
Equity Analysis:
The stated mission of the Creative District is: We engage local artists and businesses in the development of a thriving creative economy and community that is antiracist and anti-bigoted. Staff intend to manage this effort in a way that is consistent with this message.
Additionally, worth noting was the awarding of the 2024 Washington Economic Development Association Award for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to the City of Lacey for their work associated with utilizing city-owned land to create a “Food Truck Depot” with recognition that these types of facilities offer a low-cost entry point for entrepreneurs of color and women-owned business. While we are not proposing a “Food Truck Depot”, many of the principles of offering a lower risk and cost entry point for emerging entrepreneurs holds true.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
The City has routinely been asked by neighboring businesses and community members about the former Artesian Commons and if/when an effort to re-activate that space will occur. Additionally Experience Olympia and Beyond (also frequently referred to as the Visitor Convention Bureau) has been undertaking the creation of a destination master plan with notably the desire to see safe and welcoming nightlife emerging as frequently cited common request.
Financial Impact:
The adopted 2023 Operating Budget included $75,000 for this project and an additional $53,000 has been secured from the Washington State Arts Commission.
Options:
1. Hold the discussion.
2. Do not hold the discussion.
3. Hold the discussion at another time.
Attachments:
Creative District Strategic Plan
Creative District Handout