Help Brighten the Holidays

Question, how many Tacomans does it take to change hundreds of light bulbs? Just one, but it would take years! Every holiday season Tacoma is lit up with lights and shooting stars but over the years and the rain, the lights are shining  less and less. Which is why Spaceworks and the BIA are asking for your help to brighten the holidays with a Bulb Party!

BIA and Spaceworks will have all of the supplies necessary for a fantastic bulb party including refreshments and goodies, all we are missing is you! Many hands will turn this dark and dull task into a light and merry one, so come join us, and bring your friends!

The Bulb Party will be hosted November 10th and there are three times to choose from! We will be hosting shifts from 7:00-9:00 am, 11:00-1:00 pm, and 5:00-8:00 pm.  The Bulb Party will be at the downtown Post Office Building on the main floor. 

This event is a collaboration between the Downtown Merchants Group, Spaceworks, the Business Improvement Association, Post Hall, and you! 

To find out more information go to our Facebook page and join our event page! 

 

Location address: 

Post Hall 

Board Room

1102 A Street Tacoma, WA 98401 

BIA, Downtown Businesses and the Link

David Schroedel, the Chamber's Metropolitan Development Director and BIA Manager, makes the case rather effectively for BIA's stepping in to help fund the Tacoma Link as a guest on local radio station KLAY in June. 

Schroedel also gave a concise and helpful description of the BIA, its operation and its mission. When anyone asks what the BIA does then recommend this audio file!

Click here to listen to Schroedel's segment.

New BIA Magnets Available

The new BIA magnets are now available!

Important information, such as emergency contact, BIA Bike Security, BIA Cleaning, and Tacoma Police Non-Emergency numbers are located on the magnets.

Contact Janice at 253.683.4882 or janiceh@tacomachamber.org to request a magnet!

Now’s Your Chance to Design a Downtown Banner

The City of Tacoma’s Urban Forestry Program is currently accepting applications for the Urban Forest Project, a nation-wide street banner project celebrating Arbor Day 2011.

Winning tree-themed designs will be printed on street banners and “planted" on downtown light poles as part of a forest of art along Pacific Avenue in Downtown Tacoma. The project seeks to not only raise awareness of the importance of trees in the city, but to celebrate the vibrant creative community of Tacoma.

The banners will be displayed through April and May and then recycled into unique one-of-a-kind totebags designed exclusively for the project. Proceeds from the sales of the totebags will go to EverGreen Tacoma, the city’s urban forestry program to help maintain and plant trees in Tacoma. The winning banners/artists will be showcased with artist bios on the project website. Artist names will also be included at the base of each banner they design.

The deadline for submissions has been extended to February 21, 2011. Professional, student and amateur designers, artists and architects from Tacoma and the greater Puget Sound Region are invited to submit designs. Individuals may submit more than one design. Here is more information about how to submit artwork. A panel will review submissions and select up to 100 of the submitted designs. Winners will be notified the week of February 28, 2011. Email inquiries to ufp@cityoftacoma.org.

Save the Date: April 2, 2011 for the banner kick-off event (and Arbor Day celebration) at Tollefson Plaza 1-4pm. Stay tuned for more details! http://www.ufp-global.com/

The Downtown Tacoma Business Improvement Area (BIA) coordinates and manages the Downtown Tacoma Banner Program.

Coming Soon…Infrastructure improvements downtown

Despite the down economy the City of Tacoma and private property owners are planning for exciting investments in buildings, streetscapes and services that will help pull downtown out of the recession. Register now for the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber’s quarterly City Center Luncheon on November 19th to learn about:

Pacific Ave. Streetscape improvements
With help from the Federal Government, the City of Tacoma is planning for a major reconstruction of Pacific Ave. between S. 7th and S. 17th in the core of downtown. Plans are still in development, but will likely include new sidewalks, street trees, storm water enhancements, street furniture, lighting and bike lanes. Learn more about the plans at the luncheon from City Manager Eric Anderson.

New Tacoma Link station
Tacoma Link was built with a gap in the system, a stop that serves the businesses in the downtown core. The new stop, to be constructed on Commerce St. between S. 11th and S. 12th Streets will drive traffic to near by offices and retailers. Join us to learn about what to expect from the construction and the new stop.

Plans for the Foremost Dairy
The Foremost Dairy building on the corner of S. 25th and Pacific was originally built in 1927 for Royal Ice Cream and Milk Company. After sitting vacant for years, the historic building was purchased in 2008 and is on track for redevelopment (some work has already begun). Come learn how this redevelopment is helping to spur growth in downtown.

It’s your Business Improvement Area
The Downtown Tacoma Business Improvement Area provides safe and clean services (and the hanging flower baskets in the summer) for 84-blocks of downtown. Join us to learn about how you and your business can take advantage of BIA services and meet your clean and safe crews.

The luncheon program is still being developed. Check back regularly for new information.

When: Friday, November 19th, 2010
Time: 11:30 (registration) 12:00-1:30 (program)
Location: Pacific Grill Event Center, 1530 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, WA 98402.

Please consider walking, biking or carpooling to this event.
If you must drive, validated parking is available in the Convention Center.

To register for the luncheon visit the Chamber’s website, call or email Cathy Thompson (253) 627-2175, cathyt@tacomachamber.org

TV Tacoma's CityScape Highlights BIA Security

The January episode of the TV Tacoma program, CityScape features the BIA Security Patrol and our services. The segment can be viewed on the TV Tacoma website, click on the January 2010 episode. The BIA segment is at minute 8:50 in the program.

BIA Security
One of the primary functions of the BIA is to provide additional security services in downtown Tacoma. For workers residents, students, shoppers and employers, the BIA Security Patrol means safety and security in downtown. The BIA Security patrols, in their yellow and black uniforms are a readily identifiable fixture in downtown Tacoma.

Working in partnership with the Tacoma Police Department, UWT Security, Pierce Transit and other security entities, via NEXTEL radios, the patrols provide a security presence and respond to calls in downtown from 6 a.m. to 3 a.m. daily.

In addition to their regular patrols, BIA Security is available for security escorts within downtown anytime during operating hours.

Useful Security Numbers:

BIA Bike Patrol: (253) 383-1131
TPD Downtown Cops: (253) 692-5891
TPD Non-Emergency: (253) 798-4721
Emergency: 911

In addition to the security patrols, the BIA hosts SecureNet, an email listserve notification system used to alert the downtown community to security incidents and suspicious persons. To be added to the SecureNet please email your contact information to chelseal@tacomachamber.org

The SecureNet supports and informs the BIA Security Advisory Committee. The Committee meets monthly to address and share security concerns within the 84-blocks of the BIA. The Security Advisory Committee meetings are open to the public. Security professionals, downtown business and property owners, Tacoma Police Department, Transit agencies, BIA Patrol, and concerned citizens are regular attendees of these meetings.

When: First Thursday of each month
Time: 2:00-3:00 p.m.
Where: Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber, Simpson Community Room, 950 Pacific Ave., third floor

To receive meeting notifications please contact Chelsea Levy, (253) 627-2175 or chelseal@tacomachamber.org

White Lights Make Downtown Bright for the Holidays

Shorter and rainier days are a sure sign that the winter holidays are upon us. In an effort to create a festive atmosphere downtown this year, the BIA is encouraging businesses, property owners and managers to decorate their buildings and store fronts with white lights this holiday season. Lights are available from many outlets, here are two used in downtown in the past:

Silent Lights, Contact: Ben Norbe, (253) 732-9919

DiJulio Displays, Contact: Rita, 1(800) 321-9627, www.dijuliodisplays.com

The holiday stars that adore downtown light posts throughout the season will go up November 18-20. The star decorations are provided through collaboration between the BIA and the Downtown Merchants Group. We will need volunteers on the morning of November 18th to help replace burnt out bulbs. Please contact Jim Burgess, BIA Maintenance Supervisor if you are interested in volunteering, (253) 682-1731.

Happy Holidays!

Security Camera Positioning: one of the keys to catching crooks

Last month the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber hosted a business discussion with security experts Sagem Morpho. Pierce County Sheriff Paul Pastor facilitated the conversation, which emphasized accurate positioning of security cameras to effectively identify crooks.

Learn more about how to position security cameras to capture good quality face images for assisting criminal investigations at the Chamber's Tech Connect Blog.

Broadway LID Phase 2 Begins Early

Phase 2 of the Broadway Local Improvement District (BLID) will begin July 28th, three months ahead of schedule.

Business owners had previously been told that improvements on Market Street, between South 9th and South 7th Street, would begin in October. Instead, starting next week, Wm. Dickson Co. will begin work on Phases 1 and 2 of the BLID concurrently. This work will include utility upgrades, sidewalk repairs and other streetscape improvements.

The contractor and the City chose to move forward on Phase 2 sooner than planned to take advantage of the dry summer weather, which is generally ideal for street work. Also, by doing Phase 1 & 2 simultaneously, the project timeline will speed up 1 to 3 months, with a winter break. (At no additional cost.)

Additionally, according to the City’s project website, moving forward on Phase 2 now will allow streetscape improvements to be made at the same time as the storm drain work, eliminating the need to tear up the street more than once. Was the plan really to dig up the street twice!?

This schedule change will mean more traffic restrictions along Market Street between 7 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Also, all on street parking will be eliminated from the work area.

BIA Security Contact Information

One of the charges of the BIA is to promote safety and security in downtown. The City of Tacoma Police and the BIA Security Team patrol the 84 blocks of the BIA between 6 a.m. and 3 a.m.. During these hours the Security Team also provides security escorts to anyone within the boundaries of the BIA.

To request an escort or to contact BIA security call (253) 383-1131

To contact the Tacoma Police Department’s Cops on Bikes call (253) 692-5891

BIA Presents Renewal Petition, 2008-09 Program

Directors and staff for the BIA today presented the Tacoma City Council with the ratepayer petition supporting renewal of the program for another ten years. During the public hearing and an earlier presentation to the Council's Economic Development Committee, ratepayers described the benefits of the program and outlined changes for the renewal period beginning May 1st.

Among the points made during public input presented to city leaders were the following:

• Representatives from several of Tacoma's largest employers described how important the district's services are to maintaining their downtown worksites;
• Boundaries will remain as they are under the current program but may be expanded to match the Destination Downtown footprint pending petition of property owners in the expansion area;
• Residential properties will join offices and retail in the higher of two assessment rates, reflecting a growing demand for 24/7 service delivery;
• Increased revenue will be directed to funding additional police patrols dedicated to the downtown area under a new contract being developed between the City and BIA.

City Council members also reviewed provisions of the 2008-09 rate, budget and work plan--the first year of operation under the renewal.

Both measures were adopted by voice vote of the Council--unanimously save for Marilyn Sticklund, who recused herself as a downtown property owner. The measures will have a second reading next Tuesday evening pending final adoption.

City Council To Hear BIA Renewal & 2008-09 Plan

Members of the Tacoma City Council next Tuesday will hear the first reading of an ordinance that would re-establish the Downtown Business Improvement Area (BIA) for a 10-year period starting in May 2008 and continuing through April 2018.

Petitioners have requested renewal of the BIA for another 10 years for the purposes of providing enhanced security, maintaining and enhancing the appearance of common areas, providing professional management, planning and promotion, and providing similar programs and services. A public hearing on the re-establishment of the BIA and review of the 2008-09 rate, budget and work plan is scheduled to start at approximately 5:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, located in the Tacoma Municipal Building at 747 Market St.

On April 5, 1988, the Tacoma City Council established the BIA via Ordinance 24058 for a period of 10 years. The BIA was renewed for an additional 10 years in 1998 by Ordinance 26205.

Another Venue for Go Local!

During a presentation on blogging to the International Downtown Association earlier this year, BIA staff discovered that most downtown district blogging across the country (examples cited include Huntington Beach, CA and Providence, RI) is in support of retail promotion. Since then, the BIA has been working with the Downtown Merchants Group to explore creative new ways to use this blog for that purpose in downtown Tacoma.

This past Holiday season, business leaders in Ypsilanti, MI deployed a multi-faceted campaign to encourage residents to shop locally. More than just telling people about the benefits of buying locally, the Shop Ypsi effort involves downtown shoppers through an effective printed piece partnered with a website that includes a blog where people can post great gift ideas that they've found downtown. The website encourages visitors to take a pledge to do either 80 or 100 percent of their holiday shopping locally; while taking the pledge, they can also post comments on why they shop downtown.

City Council Eyes Sidewalk Vending Rules

The Tacoma City Council's Economic Development Committee will review proposed changes to Tacoma's sidewalk vending ordinance at their meeting this afternoon.

The BIA has worked with City staff to generate a number of changes, including:

• Reducing the number of businesses and/or property owners who must grant permission for vendors to operate;
• Simplifying and clarifying design standards for sidewalk vending units;
• Allowing vending from more than one location;
• Allowing vendors more opportunity to "cluster" their units;
• Loosening restrictions on height and prescribed type of vending unit;
• Adding a 30-day notice requirement for removal of permission by abutting property owners;
• Maintaining the $500,000 insurance requirement--most other jurisdictions require $1 million or more.

While those involved in the proposal believe that these changes will make it easier for vendors to operate, they do not constitute any "magic bullet" for sidewalk selling. The insurance requirement still poses a barrier for fledgling vendor, and significant issues still remain with requirements placed on food vendors by the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department. City officials have asked the BIA to consider service as the master vendor, holding licenses for all sidewalk sellers in downtown.

Ultimately, the potential volume of customers on downtown sidewalks will drive the deployment of vendors--"more feet on the street," the focus of so much that the BIA does. The tweaks set out for review today will help lower the cost for those deployments.

Live From New York...

Posting today from New York City, where BIA staff is participating in the 53rd Annual Conference & World Congress of the International Downtown Association. This blog and Exit133.com were discussed during a lively session on blogging and downtown redevelopment this morning.

Hundreds of downtown managers from around the world are gathered here to share best practices and gain from one another's expertise and experiences. Lots of information is changing hands--here are some brief examples:

• By far the most common use for blogging by downtown organizations at present seems to be retail promotion for downtown merchants--promoting special offers and unique sales to the widest possible constituency;
• The BIA and other downtown Tacoma stakeholders are currently promoting the idea of letting the market drive parking costs on the street, but two downtowns (Redwood City, CA and Denver, CO) have embarked on an even more radical experiment--eliminating time limits.

More 'Safety In Numbers'

The BIA now has once again in stock the popular "Safety In Numbers" cards that are designed for quick reference about who to contact for any security-related inquiry. This is an invaluable reference for any downtown employee or resident, but especially for front desk personnel.

The cards are the size of regular business cards, and come either as a magnet or as a vinyl cling sticker, and they are available (singly or in quantity) for no charge from the BIA office.

Renewal Campaign Nears Deadline

Dan Voelpel harks back in his column in today's edition of The News Tribune to the downtown street scene twenty years ago and muses whether or not two decades of the BIA's property assessments have been necessary and helpful. Most pertinently, he asks whether--given the remarkable turnaround of the city center during that time--the program needs to continue, concluding with these words:

Maybe the day will come when downtown Tacoma can brush the dust off her hands, sit back on her ample laurels and rest like God on the seventh day.

Today isn’t it.

BIA ratepayers were mailed copies of the renewal prospectus several weeks ago, along with a mail-in card to vote for or against the proposed program for the next ten years. Friday is the stated deadline for returning the petition cards; 51% positive response is needed to get the effort over the hump. To date, 47% of ratepayers have returned their ballots with 43% approving the renewal and less than 4% opposing it.

'Go Local' PassPort Campaign--'Be a Tourist in Your Own Backyard'

This afternoon is the much-anticipated kick-off for the 'Go Local' campaign, and the BIA is playing its part in this exciting effort to generate--you guessed it!--more "feet on the street" in downtown. Earlier this week, BIA crews installed colorful new banners commemorating the promotion at key intersections and along north-south arterials throughout the district.

The banners are the creative fruit of several individuals. Christina Kitchens, graphic artist for the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber, designed the banners. Marketing Chair Blaine Johnson helped develop and implement the overall program. BIA Maintenance Supervisor Jim Burgess and his crew installed the banners in record time. Thanks to all of them--and thanks to the BIA ratepayers--the streets are ready for all those feet!

The photo at right shows the Leadership Tacoma-Pierce County team that developed the Pasport program: Kitchens, Jean Smith from Venture Bank, David Printz of the gurus LLC, Donna Miller from Simpson Tacoma Kraft Company LLC, and Pam Brewer from Franciscan Health Systemsn (Carol Young of United Way was out of town when this photo was taken). The image currently on the BIA website commemorates the banner installation (no, it doesn't take that many people to install one banner!) with a bit of the "in your face" urban twist. Chamber staff and members of the Leadership Tacoma-Pierce County team participated in the shot.

The BIA installs banners for a variety of public purposes and to celebrate events, community efforts and historic milestones. To find out what it takes to have a banner installed, visit the BIA website.

"All eyes (and wheels) on the street"

In his article today in the Tacoma Daily Index, editor Todd Matthews recounts his experiences riding the beat with BIA bike patrol officers Sarah Kirkman and John Leitheiser (pictured at right).

Tacoma City Councilmember Julie Anderson also took part in Matthews' wheel through downtown streets, conducted this past weekend.

If you've ever wondered what it's like to serve on the BIA Security Patrol, this is the article to read!

BIA Mission, Strategies Profiled

John Gillie's interview in this morning's edition of The News Tribune captures the BIA's mission and strategies quite well; it also highlights the genesis and rason d'etra of this blog.

We will strive to live up to the ethos articulated in the final paragraph:

I think we’ve done a lot of the right things. The biggest danger is if we just coast and stop generating new ideas. You’ve got to keep improving what you’re doing all the time.