Front Porch » Economic development

Atlantic Weekly Reports on the Economic Benefits of Historic Districts

Wendy Watson — Mon, 13 May 2013 17:41:49 +0000

Our Historic Preservation staff shared this article from the Atlantic Weekly. It certainly proves true for the eight Historic Districts in Seattle. Read on.

Please join us for the 23rd Avenue Action Plan Community Workshop & Resource Fair this Saturday!

Wendy Watson — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 20:52:30 +0000

Please join us for this year’s first 23^rd Avenue Action Plan Community Workshop & Resource Fair, Sat. April 13, 2013 (9 a.m. to 12 p.m.) at the Garfield Community Center (2323 E. Cherry Street). Together we will identify new actions and a shared vision for health, equity and character of three important Central Area community cores:

23^rdAvenue & E. Union Street
23^rd Avenue & E. Cherry Street, and
23^rd Avenue S. & S. Jackson Street

Find out who else is making a difference! Connect with fellow community stakeholders and share what is working well, what could be better and what opportunities exist in this part of the neighborhood. Look for more specifics about the community workshop over the next couple of weeks.

For more information visit http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/planning/unionjackson/Overview/

or contact Kerry Wade (Outreach Specialist) at kerry.wade@seattle.gov or call 206-733-9091 or contact Quanlin Hu (Senior Planner) at quanlin.hu@seattle.gov or call 206-386-1598.

City of Seattle launches web portal on its funding programs

Wendy Watson — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 16:11:50 +0000

Have an idea to enhance your community? Need help with funding to make it happen? The city of Seattle may be able to help. It offers a wide variety of funding opportunities ranging from $250 to $1.5 million to support community projects. To make it convenient for community members to learn about its diverse funding programs, the city has created a web portal which can be found at www.seattle.gov/grants.

This user-friendly portal organizes the funding opportunities in six categories: youth; technology; community building and organizing; physical improvements; arts and culture; and the environment. Visitors can also search by the name of the city department and funding program(s), or can view all the programs side-by-side in an easy-to-read matrix format.

“We want to make it easy for people to improve their communities” says Mayor McGinn.

The web portal includes an online calendar which lists funding deadlines, workshops, and events of funded projects. Its blog provides updates on the funding programs and shares stories about community projects. Seattle Department of Neighborhoods has been charged with monitoring the portal and to grow and enhance it over time.

Various city departments manage the funding programs; and the criteria and funding amounts vary depending on the type of project, city priorities, the departments’ capacity, and available funding. Some of the funding programs require a community match of volunteer labor, donated materials, donated professional services, or cash.

Eat, Shop, Play and Buy Local on MLK

Wendy Watson — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 22:22:56 +0000

The FREE 2011 MLK Business Association
Business District Tour Schedule is here:

June 11th @ Othello 10:30 -12:00
July 30th @ Graham 10:30 -12:00
August 13th @ Othello 10:30 -12:00
September 17th @ Graham 10:30 -12:00

Our one-of-a-kind businesses are an integral part of the distinctive character of 98118. Support locally owned, independent businesses to maintain our unique community character, provide continuing opportunities for entrepreneurs, build community economic strength, and help retain community-based businesses.

The tour guide will give some history of the area and help connect us to the diversity of products and services available along MLK. We will visit several shops and listen to amazing stories from entrepreneurs who recently arrived in the US . We will get to know our neighbors better as we walk through the district sampling treats and discovering the multitude of offerings found around MLK. It will be like vacationing abroad without the hassle of having to update your passport.

Sign-up for 1 or all 4 tours by calling Sarah Valenta @ 206-760-4213 or emailing @ sarah@homesightwa.org or visit http://www.facebook.com/MLKintheValley

South Park Bridge Ground Breaking Celebration, Thursday, May 5

Wendy Watson — Mon, 02 May 2011 23:27:32 +0000

After months of preparation, King County will host the groundbreaking for the new South Park Bridge at 1:30 p.m. , Thursday, May 5 with comments from Governor Chris Gregoire, King County Executive Dow Constantine, and Mayor Mike McGinn. Part of the ceremony will include a special 26-foot long South Park Bridge-shaped piñata made by local community members.

In addition, South Park Arts (SPARTS) and the Environmental Coalition of South Seattle (ECOSS) will host the first South Park Cinco de Mayo Community Festival in the afternoon and early evening. Activities will include crafts for children, a piñata, music, art and a fire performance. Come down and enjoy the festivities and Catch the Culture!

For more information, click here

City of Seattle Registration and Rosters

Wendy Watson — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 20:06:55 +0000

Interested in selling to the City of Seattle? Your first step is to register. Registration does not pre-approve you; registration helps the City develop bid lists, contract lists and reports. Prime contractors may use the system to seek subcontractors. Women and minority owned businesses are encouraged to apply.

Are you a consultant? Or construction company? After you register, consider applying to the City Consultant or Small Construction Roster. The City will review your application and may approve you for the applicable Roster. Rosters are used to request quotes for small projects. Again, woman and minority owned businesses are encouraged to apply.

Click here to go to the purchasing/registration website.