Title
Approval of Creative District Boundary Revisions
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
The Community Livability and Public Safety Committee has recommended approval of a boundary revision for the Creative District.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve the proposed Creative District boundary revisions.
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve the proposed Creative District boundary revisions.
Staff Contact:
Marygrace Goddu, Inspire Olympia Program Manager, Office of Community Vitality, 360.480.0923
Presenter(s):
Marygrace Goddu, Inspire Olympia Program Manager, Office of Community Vitality
Background and Analysis:
Olympia’s downtown Creative District was Initially established in 2019 and recently re-certified through 2029 by the Washington State Arts Commission. A requirement for district certification includes setting district boundaries and securing city council approval.
The Downtown Creative District’s boundaries were originally set by grouping together two “character areas” identified in the 2017 Downtown Strategy as the “Artisan-Tech” and “Theater and Entertainment” areas. This became the starting point for the Downtown Creative District.
In the 2022 Creative District Strategic Planning process, participants recommended revisiting those original district boundaries. Following up on that recommendation, this year the Olympia Artspace Alliance (OAA) pursued a combination of outreach and community building that solicited the community’s input on boundary revisions as well as their hopes and ideas for the Creative District moving forward.
Through thirty interviews, participants expressed that the district boundaries were unsatisfactory and wanted to see the district reflect the creative community, rather than attempt to define it, and wanted to see the district expanded to be more inclusive.
With this direction, OAA brought forward a revised boundary. It extends to a broader area of Downtown Olympia and includes the Armory, Library, and areas west of Capitol Way.
The proposed new boundary achieves several goals:
• It is more inclusive, reflective of the existing creative community of downtown Olympia, and includes the Armory.
• As a larger area in an already-concentrated downtown, it will be more resilient to localized gentrification and spread the district’s benefits more broadly.
• A larger district focuses on Olympia’s downtown creatives first; trusting that their success will heighten the sense of place and local character. Economic opportunity and increased tourism will follow.
• The revised District reflects the community’s input and in so doing gives ownership of identity, role and purpose to the district’s artists and creators.
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 creative economy is a defining feature of the character of downtown Olympia. The Creative district supports and encourages creative businesses and cultural nonprofits and works to ensure that everyone is able to experience a strong sense of community while contributing to and benefiting from a healthy downtown economy that serves everyone.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
This item is of interest to Downtown Olympia, with regional impact.
Financial Impact:
There are a number of small contracts associated with work that has been done associated with the Creative District that are held in the Economic Development Department. There is no funding currently allotted to Creative District work for 2025.
Options:
1. Approve the recommended boundary revisions and forward to Council for consideration.
2. Do not approve the recommended boundary revisions and forward to Council for consideration.
3. Take other action.
Attachments:
Revised Boundary Map