Create a Thriving Business District

The publication “Create a Thriving Business District” is a guide that provides business districts with a “one-stop shopping” resource book for business district improvements. Each section provides project ideas, descriptions of products and services, commonly asked questions, and City and neighborhood contacts. Topics include beautification, maintenance, parking, signs, traffic control, use of public areas, public safety, and funding.

• Click here to access the entire guide and each section separately.

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Business Improvement Areas (BIAs)

Chamber and Merchant Associations are started by business people interested in connecting to other business owners to share information, improve the business area and address common interests. We encourage you to contact your business neighbors to meet to discuss common interests. Staff from OED can meet with this group to help you connect with City and community resources to help achieve your goals.

OED supports current and forming Business Improvement Areas (BIAs). A BIA provides a source to fund improvements in neighborhood business districts by assessing property and/or business owners who benefit from the improvements. BIA funds can be used for services such as parking, joint marketing, cleanup and maintenance, security, special events, beautification, and management and administration. The City contracts with an agency to manage each BIA and each BIA has a ratepayer's advisory board. The City collects the assessments and reimburses the Agency for BIA expenses.

Current neighborhoods with BIAs are Broadway, Chinatown/International District, Downtown, Pioneer Square, University District, and West Seattle.

• The BIA Handbook - Provides a reference for current and potential BIAs
• City of Seattle BIA Directory - Directory of current BIAs in Seattle and City of Seattle BIA staff
• City of Seattle Council Resolution 29706 lays out the City of Seattle's policy to encourage and support the establishment of BIAs.
• Washington State RCW Chapter 35.87A Parking and Business Improvement Areas is the state statue allowing BIAs.

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Demographic Data

Looking for data about your neighborhood? Check out these resources for demographic and other data:

• Seattle PI Webtowns
  
• Puget Sound Regional Council
• Downtown Neighborhood Profiles
• How to Create a Neighborhood Data Profile - Acrobat PDF 183 kb

• Check out Living Seattle - a look at activities a Seattle visitor or local might experience during a week (Acrobat PDF 415 kb)

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