Olympia City Council receives update on Creative District; councilmember wants affordable housing for artists

Olympia Councilmember Lisa Parshley wanted to include affordable housing for artists in the development plan of the Olympia Creative District, as she encouraged the advisory group to meet with city housing officials to start the conversation on the subject.

Parshley said combining Creative District with affordable housing initiatives resembles how the city has connected climate work with housing efforts.

On Tuesday, June 20, the city council was given updates on Creative District's strategic plan, community benefits, vision, mission, values, and goals.

Olympia Councilmember Lisa Parshley said combining Creative District with affordable housing initiatives resembles how the city has connected climate …

According to Economic Development Director Mike Reid, the Downtown Olympia Creative District received its official designation from the Washington State Arts Commission in 2019.

The Olympia Downtown Alliance (ODA) was tasked with developing a strategic plan for the Creative District.

Reid said ODA set the table for the conversation and ensured an inclusive dialogue with people from across our community in the arts, listened to artists and creatives, and worked on creating this plan.

Olympia Economic Development Director Mike Reid

ODA Projects Manager Desiree Freeland discussed the community benefits of the Creative District, which focuses on providing access and resources for artists and creatives.

Freeland said the district aims to address artists' challenges and barriers by providing resources and support through networking opportunities and collaboration.

Freeland said the Creative District is also seen as an economic driver because it has "the potential to attract visitors, patrons, and businesses to thrive in a creative atmosphere that is cultivated to support, promote, and build community."

"The economic development has changed," Reid said. "It is no longer about chasing and recruiting the big large company to come in here, and then jobs will follow. It is the inverse."

Reid added that the Creative District's goal is to provide support and a sense of community to artists and creatives, making it an attractive environment for them, which would help foster an ecosystem of growth and make downtown Olympia vibrant.

“We need downtown to be a destination that is both thriving economically, but it is the place in the region that draws talent in,” Reid added.

Olympia Downtown Alliance Projects Manager Desiree Freeland

Based on the data and insight gained from the public engagement (where a total of 658 people participated in various processes), the advisory committee (which is composed of artists, business owners, and stakeholders), and Alliance staff have developed a strategic plan that serves as a framework for the long-term and short-term goals.

Among the goals include:

• Build community: involving people, organizations, businesses, and grassroots groups engaged in collaborative relationships.
• Support: provide educational, financial, and physical resources and advocacy to uplift and empower artists and creative businesses.
• Promotions: to amplify the voice of artists while providing marketing tools and support for community visibility.
• Space: advocacy for artists and creatives who need specific, affordable space to create, practice or conduct business.
• Access: equitable accessibility for artists and the broad community to engage without barriers.