Title
Olympia Downtown Alliance Downtown Projects Update
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Receive an Olympia Downtown Alliance Downtown Projects Update.
Report
Issue:
Whether to receive an update on the City’s partnership with the Olympia Downtown Alliance related to several economic recovery actions in downtown Olympia.
Staff Contact:
Amy Buckler, Strategic Projects Manager, Economic Development, Office of Community Vitality, 360.280.8947
Mike Reid, Economic Development Director, Office of Community Vitality, 360.480.9167
Presenter(s):
Amy Buckler, Strategic Projects Manager
Todd Cutts, Executive Director, Olympia Downtown Alliance
Desiree Freeland, Downtown Projects Manager, Olympia Downtown Alliance
Background and Analysis:
As part of the City of Olympia's commitment to support our community’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, the City entered into a partnership with the Olympia Downtown Alliance (ODA) to carry out several tasks associated with downtown Olympia’s recovery and reopening. These tasks, which are described in the attached scope of work, include:
• Downtown Creative District Development and Implementation
• Downtown Business Recruitment & Retention Strategy
• Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design
• Re-Opening Campaign
• Placemaking Initiatives
At the meeting staff from the Olympia Downtown Alliance will provide an update about each item in the scope of work. The term of the contract which formalizes the partnership is July 2021 through December 2023.
Neighborhood/Community Interests:
Olympians place a high value on Downtown Olympia, as reflected in the City’s Downtown Strategy, which was formed as the result of an extensive public engagement process in 2016-2017. The economic recovery tasks outlined forward several community priorities identified in the Downtown Strategy, including:
• R.4.E - Develop and promote arts, culture and heritage activities, particularly in the Art/Tech and Entertainment areas
• R.2.B - Conduct a business retention survey with local retail business owners
• R.1.C - Carry out ongoing Clean & Safe efforts in partnership with ODA and PBIA
• R.4.C - Support marketing efforts in partnership with the Olympia Downtown Alliance and others
The ODA recently released two community surveys related to their scope of work:
• One for the Creative District which received over 600 responses.
• The other for the Downtown Business Recruitment and Retention Strategy which received over 2,200 responses.
The results are currently being analyzed and presenters will provide highlights.
Options:
1. Receive the update.
2. Do not receive the update.
3. Receive the update at another time.
Financial Impact:
The City Council approved an Economic Recovery package on May 4, 2021. This included an allocation of $200,000 for a Downtown Economic Recovery Partnership with the Olympia Downtown Alliance. The funding for this project comes from the Economic Development Reserves.
Attachments:
Scope of Work