Title
Approval of a Resolution Authorizing Application for a Downtown Creative District through the Washington State Arts Commission
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve the resolution authorizing application for a Downtown Creative District through the Washington State Arts Commission.
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve a resolution authorizing application for a Downtown Creative District.
Staff Contact:
Jay Burney, Assistant City Manager, Executive Department, 360.753.8740
Presenter(s):
Consent Item.
Background and Analysis:
Earlier this year, the Washington State Arts Commission launched the Certified Creative Districts Program. The Certified Creative Districts program works to help communities throughout the state thrive. It is a new legislative initiative designed to support the state's creative economy. A state-certified Creative District provides a strong base for Olympia to grow the arts and creative economy envisioned in the Downtown Strategy. Creative Districts can grow jobs and increase economic, educational, and cultural opportunities for residents and visitors.
A Creative District is a geographically defined area where art, cultural, social, and economic activity takes place. It includes cultural facilities, artists, creative industries and other businesses that support these activities. Staff is recommending utilizing the Artisan/Tech and Entertainment Character Areas outlined in the Downtown Strategy as the geographic boundaries for the creative District in Olympia. A map outlining the proposed boundary is shown in Exhibit A of the attached resolution.
The Downtown Strategy vision of the Artisan/Tech Character Area is to create a mixed-use, artisan, culinary arts, and tech hub that includes affordable commercial space, housing (especially for artists and craftspeople), studio/workshop, gallery, and retail space. It suggests opportunities for adaptive reuse of existing buildings, and low-cost street improvements that promote new pedestrian and bike uses.
For the Entertainment District, the Downtown Strategy envisions enhancing the area’s quality as a regional theatre and entertainment district with excellent dining and nightlife that coexists with residential and commercial uses. Creating bright, lively, and safe streets with retail, entertainment, and dining options along 4th and 5th Avenues to draw pedestrians from the historic core east toward Plum Street.
Both of these areas fit well with the qualities and design envisioned through the creative district program. Creative District Certification can be a great first step to activating and formalizing these Character Areas.
At Council’s July 17, 2018 Study Session, staff outlined the Creative District program as part of a presentation on arts, cultures, and heritage in Olympia. Council provided guidance to staff to pursue the Creative District Designation. Passage of the attached resolution is the first step in the application process. Once adopted, staff will continue with completing the application package, which is expected to take a couple of months to complete. Staff will return to Council in the future to discuss next steps and/or progress.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
The Olympia community, through the Downtown Strategy work, supported the creation and activation of an Artisan/Tech and Entertainment Character Areas. This work is also supported by the recently completed Arts, Cultures, and Heritage (ArCH) Study.
Options:
1. Move to approve the resolution authorizing application for a Downtown Creative District through the Washington State Arts Commission.
2. Do not approve the resolution authorizing application for a Downtown Creative District and advise staff as to next steps.
3. Modify the resolution authorizing application for a Downtown Creative District and move to approve as modified.
Financial Impact:
There are no upfront fees or costs associated with having a certified creative district. Certification opens up grant and partnership possibilities for building the district.
Attachments:
Resolution