Thursday, October 1, 2026
The City of Olympia has issued a request for proposals seeking a consultant to evaluate the Parking and Business Improvement Area (PBIA), a downtown funding program that has supported business priorities for decades.
The evaluation would examine the PBIA’s governance, program structure, financial framework, administrative practices and overall effectiveness in meeting downtown business priorities.
The deadline to submit proposals is Sept. 26 at 5 p.m., with interviews for finalists anticipated on Oct. 6. The contract is valued at up to $30,000.
The selected consultant would commence work on the project on Oct. 19, 2025, and continue through Jan. 30, 2026.
Established in 2005, the PBIA was created to advise the Olympia City Council on how to invest PBIA funds and to serve as a communication link between downtown and the city government.
Its original mandate included enhancing downtown parking, launching a clean and safe program to make the area more welcoming, and improving public safety.
PBIA funds have also supported streetscape beautification, cleanup efforts, public art and wayfinding signage. In addition, the program helped cover administrative and staffing needs while funding business recruitment, retention and marketing efforts to promote the downtown area.
However, in recent years, concerns have emerged about the fairness of the assessment structure and the complexity of administration. In response, the advisory board voted to waive the PBIA assessment rate for this year to allow evaluation for alternative models for sustained business engagement and support.
The evaluation is expected to summarize PBIA history and funding, engage stakeholders, assess the advisory board’s role, explore new rate structures, and examine fee collection and administration.
The consultant would be responsible for the following:
Findings would be presented to city staff, the PBIA board and city leadership in early 2026.
The ideal candidate shall have experience in stakeholder engagement with diverse business communities, program evaluation and economic development. Skills in facilitating dialogue, building trust and synthesizing complex perspectives into actionable recommendations are key.
The project kickoff is expected in October 2025, with final recommendations and a transition roadmap delivered by Jan. 30, 2026.
For more information, the full RFP is available on the city's website.
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Bobwubbena
The PBIA is a valuable program for downtown's small businesses. The immediate response from many---let the city do it (they are busy funding the homeless challenge). I find it unfortunate that the PBIA needs to spend up to $30,00 that the City should fund. Where is their contribution to the "center of Thurston Count--the Capitol City and its' vital future?"'. City you are spending millions on the homeless issue. What are you doing to support the vibrant programs of downtown---your Facebook image of what you are--or are not??????? The City should fund the $30,000. for the study---because they dont' take care of their job.
Tuesday, September 23, 2025 Report this
TheVirtualOne
This is typical government behavior. Spend money on consultants, place any blame for failures on them, and make the customers pay. It’s called deniability. It’s also typical behavior that people in government don’t take on projects themselves or accept responsibility for their actions. God forbid they should have someone on staff who actually knows what’s going on and has some real experience.
Tuesday, September 23, 2025 Report this
Porter
Parking and business improvement area? Are they spending taxpayer money to support individual businesses?
Wednesday, September 24, 2025 Report this