Greenwood-Phinney to share in city funds to promote local businesses

by | Feb 18, 2011

Mayor Mike McGinn announced on Wednesday a $1 million investment in 16 neighborhood business districts, including Greenwood-Phinney, as part of his Seattle Jobs Plan.
“Neighborhood business districts are at the heart and soul of what, I think everybody would agree, makes Seattle great,” Mayor McGinn said at Wednesday’s press conference.
The city’s Office of Economic Development is investing $40,000 to expand the “Only in Seattle” marketing campaign. The campaign is designed to highlight the “hidden gems of shopping and dining in Seattle’s neighborhoods.” The campaign’s website currently features five neighborhoods: Ballard, Columbia City, Georgetown, Rainier Valley and West Seattle.
(Disclosure: “Only in Seattle” runs a banner ad at the top of PhinneyWood’s home page, as well as on our sister sites in the Next Door Media network.)
The OED is also investing $35,000 to help build Business Improvement Areas (BIA) here in Phinney-Greenwood, as well as in Ballard, Belltown, Capitol Hill, Central Area, Lake City, Madison Valley, Pioneer Square, University District, and West Seattle.
The city will provide another $20,000 to support farmers markets across the city.
“We are looking with these investments to empower business and property owners, to attract new business, to improve visual attractiveness of the neighborhood, marketing and promotions, and sustainable strategies to make this work,” McGinn said.
Greenwood-Phinney Chamber of Commerce President Prashanthi Reddy, owner of Makeda Coffee at 153 N. 78th St., said she will be meeting with a representative of the OED next week to get more details on how Phinney Ridge and Greenwood will benefit from the city’s financial support.
Creating a Business Improvement Area requires an assessment on businesses within the BIA boundaries. According to the city, assessments can be calculated on square footage, assessed land value and/or Business and Occupation taxable revenue. Funds can then be used for the benefit of all in the area, including creating more parking, joint marketing, cleanup and maintenance, security, special events, beautification and management and administration.
The City of Seattle currently has six BIAs: Broadway on Capitol Hill, Metropolitan Improvement District downtown; International District/Chinatown; Pioneer Square; West Seattle Junction; and the University District.

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