Olympia City Council approves funding package for Downtown Alliance's programs through end of 2025

Olympia City Council voted on Tuesday, July 16, to allocate $285,000 in one-time funding to the Olympia Downtown Alliance (ODA) to support the continuation of Olympia downtown programs through the end of 2025.

The funding package, which would come from Proposition 1 public safety funds, will support four initiatives - Downtown Guide program, $145,000; maintenance worker position, $55,000; graffiti abatement efforts, $25,000; and Tree Lighting program, $60,000.

Todd Cutts, Executive Director of the ODA, presented the proposal to the council, highlighting recent improvements in downtown safety and stakeholder satisfaction. According to a recent survey, 82% of downtown stakeholders believe the area is heading in the right direction, up from 66% in 2022.

Cutts said the Downtown Guide program, which currently employs four guides working nearly 100 hours per week, will continue its expanded operations. These guides serve as ambassadors, assisting visitors and addressing issues such as trespassing and homelessness.

"Our guides are often the first point of contact for individuals downtown," Cutts explained. "They help triage situations, allowing city resources like the Crisis Response Unit to focus on more critical needs."

The funding will also support a dedicated maintenance worker to enhance downtown cleanliness, a concern that has grown among stakeholders in recent surveys. Additionally, the package includes resources for graffiti removal, with the ODA reporting 186 tags since March, 69 of which have been successfully abated.

The Tree Lighting program, which brightened downtown in winter since 2020, will continue through the 2024 and 2025 seasons.

While the city council supported these initiatives, City Manager Jay Burney and Cutts acknowledged the need for long-term funding solutions.

Burney emphasized that this is one-time funding. He pointed out that some council members want a longer-term discussion about the guide program versus the city's former ambassador program.

The city manager added that this extension provides more time to have that discussion early next year. Burney committed to having that discussion before the end of 2025, before the expiration of this funding.

Councilmember Dani Madrone inquired about the ODA's long-term plans for sustaining and building upon the current momentum in downtown Olympia.

Cutts outlined several strategies for the long-term sustainability of downtown programs. He mentioned the potential to expand the downtown Guide program area, which has remained unchanged since 2018, by engaging in further discussions with property owners and small businesses.

The ODA director emphasized the importance of the public-private partnership model, where property owners and the city mutually support each other's investments. He said the property owners are looking to the city for support, while the city is looking to them for matching funds.

Despite an unsuccessful attempt to create a downtown improvement district, Cutts noted that they had built valuable relationships with property owners interested in downtown success. He suggested exploring alternative ways for these owners to contribute financially to downtown initiatives, even without a DID.