Title
Approval of the Parking and Business Improvement Area Phase I Findings and Discussion of Phase II
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve the Parking and Business Improvement Area (PBIA) Phase I findings, discuss Phase II, and forward to the full Council for consideration.
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve the Parking and Business Improvement Area Phase I findings, discuss Phase II, and forward to the full Council for consideration.
Staff Contact:
Jennica Machado, Economic Development Director, Community Planning & Economic Development, 360.480.9167
Presenter(s):
Jennica Machado, Economic Development Director
Brian Scott, Founding Partner, Uncommon Bridges
Background and Analysis:
The PBIA Board was established to develop an annual recommendation to the City Council about how to invest the PBIA Fund. In recent years, concerns have emerged around the equity of the assessment structure, program sustainability, and administrative complexity.
In 2024, the PBIA Advisory Board discussed potential next steps, including the possibility of dissolving the district. After extensive discussion, however, the Advisory Board determined that further evaluation was needed to assess current conditions and identify potential paths forward for the PBIA. City Council similarly indicated that a comprehensive evaluation would be beneficial.
In late 2025, the evaluation project was initiated, and the PBIA Advisory Board selected Uncommon Bridges as the project consultant. The evaluation examined the PBIA structure, operations, fee, and administrated processes and identified potential recommendations for improvement based on best practices from comparable downtowns. Uncommon Bridges has now completed the evaluation and will present its final findings and recommendations.
The PBIA Advisory Board received the final recommendations at their monthly meeting on March 4, 2026. The Board voted to recommend that City Council approve implementation of the report’s roadmap actions by advancing to Phase Two. The recommendation included a contingency requesting that the City match the Advisory Board’s use of PBIA funds to support the Phase Two scope of work.
Climate Analysis:
The PBIA evaluation does not directly affect climate mitigation sectors. The project is focused on evaluating the PBIA’s fees, structure, governance, and administrative processes to determine whether and how the district could be restructured to continue operating.
Advancing the project to Phase Two would support planning and stakeholder engagement to determine the PBIA’s future structure and operations. While the evaluation itself does not result in direct climate impacts, future PBIA activities could potentially support sustainability initiatives for downtown businesses depending on future priorities and work plans.
Equity Analysis:
Business and property owners within the PBIA district may benefit from the evaluation by gaining a clearer understanding of how the program operates and identifying opportunities to improve fairness, transparency, and effectiveness of the district. Advancing to Phase Two would also provide an opportunity for broader stakeholder engagement to ensure the perspectives of affected businesses are incorporated into potential changes.
The evaluation itself does not impose new financial burdens; however, the existing PBIA assessment structure has raised concerns about equity among assessed businesses. Phase Two planning and engagement would allow stakeholders to explore these concerns and identify potential changes that could create a more equitable fee structure.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
The downtown Olympia neighborhood may be interested in the evaluation considering PBIA funded programs directly impact cleanliness, safety, beautification, and overall economic vitality in the area. Additionally, any future change in rates may directly impact downtown business owners within the PBIA ratepayer zones.
Financial Impact:
The PBIA evaluation is being conducted by contractor, Uncommon Bridges. The contract is not to exceed $30,000 and is funded by the City’s annual budget. The project is assessing the PBIA fund and will identify recommendations for changes to its fee and administrative structure.
If the project moves forward for Phase Two, additional funds will be required to support the scope of work. An anticipated budget for Phase Two would be $50,000. The PBIA Advisory Board indicated they will approve use of the PBIA Fund to cover up to half of the project costs
Options:
1. Move to approve the Parking and Business Improvement Area (PBIA) Phase I findings, discuss Phase II, and forward to the full Council for consideration.
2. Move to approve the Parking and Business Improvement Area Phase I Findings, Discuss Phase II, and forward to the full Council for consideration based on Committee feedback.
3. Do not approve the Parking and Business Improvement Area Phase I Findings, Discuss Phase II, and forward to the full Council for consideration and schedule for a future Committee meeting.
Attachments:
PBIA Evaluation Report