UPDATE: Wallingford, as one of the recipients of the investment dollars, will be benefitted by the Only in Seattle marketing campaign. The city says the campaign, “highlights the hidden gems of shopping and dining in Seattle’s neighborhoods.” Other neighborhoods joining the Only in Seattle marketing effort are Fremont and Pioneer Square.
“The city is focused on helping business and property owners to strengthen local business climate and grow jobs,” said Steve Johnson, director of the Office of Economic Development. “Through the Only in SeattleInitiative we have created an investment framework and partnerships to execute strategies to support healthy business districts.”
EARLIER: Mayor Mike McGinn today announced the city’s plan for a large investment in Seattle neighborhoods. The investment is part of the Seattle Jobs Plan. Wallingford’s business district is one of the city’s 19 neighborhoods that will receive assistance. Mayor McGinn announced the investment plan at the University District’s Big Time Brewery today.
“I am a strong believer in the power of people in neighborhoods to identify what is most important and to work on it,” McGinn said. “Jobs have to be a priority,” he said, adding that the city has lost 35,000 jobs since the beginning of the recession. McGinn said the city has regained 18,000 jobs so far, and still has more work to do to recover. “The loss of jobs has had an effect. Businesses have closed, storefronts went empty,” he said. “Our neighborhood business districts are extraordinarily important…people want to live in a place where businesses are unique and special.”
Other neighborhoods on the list to receive funding are Ballard, Beacon Hill, Belltown, Capitol Hill, Central Area, Chinatown / International District, Columbia City, Fremont, Georgetown, Madison Valley, MLK (Othello & Graham), Pioneer Square, Rainier Beach, SODO, South Park, University District, West Seattle, and White Center.
We’ll update with new information on specifics regarding how this funding will directly benefit Wallingford businesses.
