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BUS TOUR GIVES PUBLICS OFFICIALS AND FUNDERS INSIGHT INTO COMMERCIAL CORRIDOR REVITALIZATION IN THREE DIVERSE NEIGHBORHOODS
SEATTLE, WA - April 22, 2010 - In partnership with the City of Seattle Office of Economic Development (OED) , Impact Capital hosted a 2010 Neighborhood Business District Bus Tour for elected officials, staff, and foundations to highlight the commercial revitalization work being done in three distinct neighborhoods the Othello and MLK node, the 12th Avenue district in Capitol Hill and the Central Area, and the International District/Little Saigon.
In 2008, the partnering organizations launched the Seattle Neighborhood Business District Revitalization Program to foster vibrantneighborhood business districts in the heart of some of Seattle's most culturally rich, income diverse and threatened neighborhoods.
"We launched this program because strong neighborhood business districts matter deeply to the overall health and success of our city," said Jennifer LaBrecque, event organizer and Program Officer at Impact Capital. "They are places where small businesses can grow and flourish, creating local jobs and making a positive contribution to the city's economic health."
The goal of the tour was to highlight the successes of the multi-year partnership between OED and Impact Capital. By focusing on the local community development organizations in each neighborhood, tour participants learned about how outreach efforts, creative thinking, and strategic partnerships created solutions to each district's most pressing issues.
The tour began in south Rainier Valley near the Othello node of the Sound Transit Light Rail. HomeSight Executive Director, Tony To, spoke to the group about their efforts to support the MLK Business Association, in order to help local businesses take advantage of opportunities brought to the neighborhood by light rail.
Lan Do, owner of the Venus Chinese Seafood Restaurant provided the group with delicious Dim Sum while talking about her experiences as a member of the MLK Business Association. Thanks to grant support and technical assistance from Impact Capital, HomeSight could afford to have a staff person spend more time working directly with residents and businesses in the neighborhood to implement marketing plans and enhance patronage.
At the next stop along the 12th Avenue corridor in Capitol Hill, bus riders had traditional Ethiopian Coffee at Zobel Ethiopian Restaurant and learned about how Capitol Hill Housing's partnership with local businesses and Seattle University was improving the neighborhood. Impact Capital financed a consultant to provide market data for the district to help Capitol Hill Housing attract small, independent business to the area in order to preserve the neighborhood's character.
One of the businesses that recently moved to 12th Avenue, Velocity Dance Center, gave participants a tour of their new dance studio along with cupcakes courtesy of Capitol Hill Housing and Cupcake Royale. With the help of Capitol Hill Housing, the Velocity Dance Studio was able to find affordable rent and maintain a location in the neighborhood.
Finally, the bus made its final stop in the International District where participants visited the Seattle Chinatown International District Preservation and Development Authority's (SCIDpda) IDea Space and saw the new logo for the International District. The logo highlights the diversity within the district, including Little Saigon, Chinatown, and Japantown.
Attendees enjoyed food from neighborhood restaurant Phnom Phen while learning about the IDea Space's community outreach strategiesand how they are working with the local business association to enhance the King Street Corridor and improve the walkability of the neighborhood. Impact Capital has worked with SCIDpda and Interim, both community development organizations in the International District to structure a pilot façade improvement program and enhance public safety.
Impact Capital believes that a strong commercial corridor and active business leaders can keep a neighborhood strong and vibrant. Since 2008, Impact Capital has provided $290K in funding to HomeSight, Capitol Hill Housing, and SCIDpda to implement comprehensive commercial district revitalization strategies in their neighborhood.
"Most people don't realize that Impact Capital does more than just lend money for affordable housing," explained Heyward Watson, Impact Capital CEO. "Our work focuses on helping commercial districts thrive, to enhance neighborhood identity, decrease crime, and enhance the pedestrian and shopping experience for neighborhood residents and business patrons."
The tour was an opportunity to showcase the outcomes of the hard work of Impact Capital, OED, and the local community development organizations helping these local businesses survive and thrive during this economic downturn.
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Impact Capital helps build and sustain vibrant neighborhoods in underserved communities throughout Washington.