Everett City Council

CITY OF EVERETT Parks and Quality of Life Council Committee Date: August 16, 2023 Time: 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Location: Everett City Council Chambers The public is welcome to attend in person or remotely. There will be no public comment during committee meetings. To watch remotely: You may call in or listen to the meeting by dialing: 425-616-3920, Conference ID: 724 88 726 View on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/everettcity/live Agenda Items I. WHEB Triangle Economic Development RFP Update II. Downtown Storefronts: Economic Development III. Future Agenda Items Pending Items for Future Agendas: • Economic Development • Downtown Zoning Code Briefing • Downtown Everett Association Survey Results • Comprehensive Plan Economic Development Strategy Update • Comprehensive Plan Parks, Recreation and Open Space Update • Parks Capital Improvement Projects Update Downtown Everett Placemaking and Revitalization Update For Parks and Quality of Life Committee August 16, 2023 STAFFING UPDATES, RECAP WORK TO DATE Staffing updates • Tyler Chism, placemaking program manager, is taking on a new Downtown liaison role in addition to continuing to manage events, arts programs and tourism development city-wide. • Kari Quaas was hired as a .6 FTE project coordinator to assist with special events and cultural arts programming. • The Placemaking Team works closely with multiple city departments and is a part of the Community, Planning and Economic Development Department.  Recap: Downtown revitalization initiatives 2020 2021 2022 2023 • Community • CARES Grants R2 • Everett Forward • Everett Forward Renewal Area • Getting to Safe Grants R1 Grants R2 (paused by pandemic) reopening toolkit • Attract Downtown • Public art, special • Everett for Everett • Move Sorticulture events events • CARES Grants R1 to downtown • Downtown enhancements Pandemic strategy: Small business support • Help businesses navigate through COVID-19 – Everett For Everett – Getting to Safe Reopening Toolkit • Help small businesses stay open – Grants: CARES, Everett Forward – Programs: Streateries, Restaurant Month, retail events • Attract visitation and spending to stimulate economy – Host and attract more special events – Storefront enhancements ARPA-funded downtown storefront projects • Everett Forward Grant Beneficiaries – Many downtown businesses applied for and received grants to enhance their storefronts • Downtown Everett Association’s Storefronts Program – An Everett Forward Grant Sub-recipient program – Beneficiaries received storefront consulting, business coaching and Sub- grants for improvement projects  ARPA-funded downtown storefront projects • Everett Forward Grant beneficiaries (Downtown) • Amanté • N.W. Screen Printing, • At Large Brewing • Public Market Building • Brooklyn Brothers • Salish Sea Ceramics • Eight Ball Café • Valley Organic • Everett Improv Bar • Waxology • Flying Pig • Zamarama Gallery • Imagine Children’s Museum • Lucky Dime • Downtown Everett Association Storefronts Beneficiaries • Artisan’s Books and Coffee • Petrikor • Black Lab Gallery • Schack • Burkett’s • Sisters • Cake Walk Shop • Wicked Wine Club • My My Toys CURRENT REVITALIZATION INITIATIVES Placemaking enhancements • What: – Coordinate maintenance to refresh public spaces, activate downtown • Why: – Activate downtown, inspire investment, continue momentum • How: – Utility boxes, lighting, landscaping, public art, bus stops – Dependent on available resources Continue strong partnership with DEA • Placemaking program manager joining DEA board, subcommittees • Advocate for and support DEA’s plan to create business development staff position. Collaborate when position is filled • Assist with the creation of a downtown multi-year plan • Participate in Mainstreet framework and initiatives Downtown gateway improvements • Pacific Ave. I-5 Exit – Public-private partnership – Mural, landscaping, lighting and wayfinding signage • Other gateways to follow Special events • Successful summer 2023 Events • Wintertide 2023 – City-wide holiday events, programming • 2024 targets – Restaurant Month – More sporting events – Octoberfest – Conventions FUTURE REVITALIZATION INITIATIVES Future storefront initiatives • Pop-up shops & window dressings – Fill vacant storefronts with artists and existing micro/pop-up businesses – Storefront window wraps that showcase possibilities • Round two: DEA storefronts grants – Funded and led by DEA • Large scale façade improvements and retrofitting – Programs to promote façade enhancements and major retrofitting of long vacant or neglected properties – Approaches include Community Renewal Area, grant funding, partnerships Community Renewal Area • What: – A Community Renewal Area is a tool to revitalize urban districts • Why: – Technological and social changes, aging infrastructure and buildings, obsolete planning, and other factors can inhibit growth and vitality • How: – Resolution 7477 from January 2020 started the process. It was put on hold due to COVID-19. A Community Renewal plan is needed as a next step and further discussions on this topic will occur. QUESTIONS, COMMENTS?