2022-03-16 Economic Development Commission Packetf n C. 1 g9v
AGENDA
Edmonds Economic Development Commission
Wednesday, March 16, 2022
6 — 8 PM Zoom Info below
6:00 P.M. — Call to Order and Land Acknowledgement: "We acknowledge the original inhabitants of this place, the
Sdohobsh (Snohomish) people and their successors the Tulalip Tribes, who since time immemorial have hunted, fished,
gathered, and taken care of these lands. We respect their sovereignty, their right to self-determination, and we honor their
sacred spiritual connection with the land and water." - City Council Land Acknowledgment
Call to Order
1. Roll Call and Recognition of Approved Absences (5 min)
2. Approval of Agenda (2 min)
3. Approval of February 16, 2022 Meeting Summary (2 min)
4. Audience Comments (3 minutes per person)
5. Discussion: Review/Edit Ideas List (45 min)
a. Prepare the list for possible read-out/report to City Council
b. Refine vision for each idea in terms of benefit to city
c. Discuss readiness to share with City Council
d. Identify any issues that should be removed/added
6. City Update (5 min)
7. Liaison Updates (5 min each)
a. City Council
b. Port of Edmonds
c. Chamber of Commerce
d. Planning Board
8. Roundtable Discussion (10 min)
9. Adj ourn
Next regular meeting: April 20, 2022 6PM
Zoom Information:
https:Hzoom.us/i/98696685791?pwd=RytOZiVuK3ZCNON4QlRrM HZgSWPvQT09
Meeting ID: 986 9668 5791
Passcode: 901513
CITY OF EDMONDS
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION MEETING
February 16, 2022
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT:
Nicole Hughes, Chair
Darrol Haug
Kevin Harris, Vice Chair
Carrie Hulbert
Keith Hamilton
Jay Hoag
Kevin Smith
Charlie Lieu
Evan Sittauer, Student -Rep
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT:
Scott Merrick - excused
LIAISONS PRESENT:
Roger Pence, Planning Board, ex-officio
Greg Urban, Edmonds Chamber, ex-officio
Susan Paine, Councilmember, ex-officio
LIAISONS ABSENT:
Angela Harris, Port Commissioner, ex-officio
GUESTS:
None.
STAFF PRESENT:
Doug Merriman, Interim Director CS/ED
Megan Luttrell, Program Coordinator CS/ED
Economic Development Commission meeting conducted via ZOOM and called to order by Nicole Hughes
at 6:03 p.m.
Call to Order and Land Acknowledgement
1. Roll Call and Recognition of Approved Absences:
2. Approval of Agenda: Charlie moved to approve the agenda; Kevin Smith seconded; motion passed.
3. Approval of January 19, 2022, Meeting Summary: Darrol Haug moved to approve the meeting
summary; Jay seconded; motion passed.
4. Audience Comments: None.
5. Breakout debrief from 1/19: Nicole explained that time ran out at the January meeting and didn't allow
for a debrief of the discussion topics at the last meeting, she would like to go over what the groups
discussed tonight.
a. Food Truck/Vendor Spaces Group: Kevin Harris shared that the group (Keith, Angela, Greg,
Roger, Evan and Kevin H.) had a good brainstorm session. They focused on the vision and how to
enhance the food truck presence in Edmonds. It was nice to have Evan's youth perspective in the
group. Evan added that food trucks are more affordable for young people. Greg suggested
checking with Megan for a list of vacant lots. Olympia has a food truck model to research as does
Portland. How can we boost livability in certain areas in Edmonds? As a follow up, reach out to
Scotty's, Shubert and other festival vendors to gain their perspective. Carrie suggested making
food truck events. Kevin Smith suggested a food truck near the hospital as it could provide a
stable customer basis as well as having a Hwy 99 presence. Darrol suggests a presence at parks.
Carrie pointed out that near the hospital could also lend to the high school demographic. Greg
DRAFT Meeting Summary
Economic Development Commission
February 16, 2022
Page 1
shared that Shubert's issues were profitability. A steady customer base is key for the success of
food trucks.
b. Hwy 99 - City Facilities and Activities along Renewal Zone: Nicole, Darrol & Susan discussed
opportunities on Hwy 99. Susan shared that over the next 5-10 years our Hwy 99 presence could
shift and the need for car lots may not be necessary. Darrol and Susan discussed the future of car
purchasing and how the needs may shift in the future. Darrol shared that he sees the goal for
Hwy 99 to make it vibrant and attract non-residents to Hwy 99 zone. Susan suggests envisioning
people's needs and what they might want if they're getting off public transit in this area. Nicole
shared that the discussion led to a live -work -play neighborhood discussion. Ideas consisted of
enhancing nightlife, shopping, and living in this neighborhood. Keith explained that the time
frame for car dealerships shifting away from needing lots is more like 20-30 years. Darrol
highlights that the Hwy 99 neighborhood needs to be engaged and seek input from the current
neighborhood.
c. Walkable City Concepts: Carrie shared that they first focused on what people liked about
Walkable Main; they felt it was the sense of community. They like the idea of incorporating
different cultures in Edmonds. Doug shared the socialization aspect of the events was a strong
pull for engagement. Carrie felt it aligns with the food truck idea and with the Hwy 99
enhancement efforts. Susan wants to make sure that we have access to arts through the
community events. Darrol included that the Mayor highlighted walkability in his State of the City
address. Roger shared that it's helpful when these events come into fruition organically. The City
should provide framework for events.
6. Discussion: Economic Development Idea Heatmap w/ Breakout Discussions
a. Parking Solutions: (Keith, Kevin Smith, Evan, Darrol)
As more people come to enjoy our Downtown areas: Central Business/Shops/Resturants District,
Arts Corridor, Performing Arts Center, and City Hall we will continue to put pressure on our
existing parking stall inventory. Competition for parking included, Employees, Residents in DT
area, and customers and visitors in general.
Goals/Objectives:
Highlights / Notes:
• What to do next:
o Tasked to find some more public input
o Gather more information from employers and employees
o They bring in customers, they have people who have to park for work everyday
o They are a good source of information for what parking needs from a business
perspective of employees and customers
• Darrol's thoughts on what should happen:
o We are trying to bring people here to visit the downtown, the arts corridor, the
shops, the activities, etc.
o People are building bigger facilities to draw in more people, compared to what used
to be in downtown Edmonds
o We are going to end up with a demand problem where demand exceeds supply
o It's not practical for people to walk from their home or take a bus because there
aren't any
o If you want people to come downtown, they have to park somewhere
o Overtime we are going to just have more pressure on where to park
DRAFT Meeting Summary
Economic Development Commission
February 16, 2022
Page 2
Key Steps for continuing to assess parking challenges:
• Will the business community be able to improve business with or without a parking
solution?
• Understanding the raw data of employees where they take an alternative mode of
transportation will help us get an idea
• There are 1000 stalls downtown
• Need to figure out how many are occupied by employee parking to see how many are left
for citizens
• People may avoid Edmonds if they have no place to park
• WE NEED DATA TO HELP PROVE THE THEORY.
o With the data we will get a sense of the business community's willingness to pay for
parking and to help solve the problem
o If the employers make their employees park in a new garage, this will help free up
spaces in Edmonds
o It would get them off the streets and open them to more people
• Try and keep parking on the agenda so it stays in the back of the heads of everyone
• We are not looking for proof to build a place
• The business community wants workers and consumers, is parking a problem for them
• Current plan is to try and survey the business community and get input. Basic information.
City was already going to do this as a parking study but they canceled it due to COVID.
• The City could help us put this into motion, Council will most likely support a survey for the
business community because it is cheap and easy to do.
Describe the Idea — what would it look like if realized? 5/10/20 years
A parking garage with solar panels, a walkway to the downtown area so they can interact easily
with the shops and restaurants, if you open up more places for parking you allow for easier
pedestrian traffic
b. HealthTech Corridor Development: (Charlie, Greg, Doug, Nicole)
- Sometimes have an incubator attached
- Typically an obvious area
- Options:
o Healthcare
o HealthTech
o Patient Care
o BioTech
o BioPharma
- Often located near university or hospital
- Need transit stops nearby
1. Describe the Idea — what would it look like if realized? 5/10/20 years
Office complex location housing multiple corporate operations under the category/segment
of HealthTech. Key: one anchoring company with others. Edmonds College (Shoreline CC,
Everett CC, CWU Lynnwood) has curriculum associated with healthtech. Swedish system has
expanded partnership capabilities around tech development and/or clinical research.
2. Discuss Goals/Objectives of the Idea — list top two or three objectives of the Idea. Why
would this benefit Edmonds and our citizens?
Elevated profile for region, draw for high paying jobs, long term growth trajectory of
industry and region.
DRAFT Meeting Summary
Economic Development Commission
February 16, 2022
Page 3
3. List the steps, actions or tasks that might need to be accomplished
Explore partnership capabilities —Swedish, Virginia Mason, UW, Verdant (most likely
partner)
Understand land development capabilities in near and long term
Identify potential anchoring company
c. Ferry Reservation System: (Susan, Carrie, Kevin Harris, Megan)
Vision: Capture some increasingly significant portion of ferry line traffic to divert into
Edmonds to extend visitor's stay and spend money on goods and services and improve
visitor's 'Edmonds Experience'. 'Don't waste time in the ferry line!'
Assumptions:
• A ferry reservation system will free up 'bonus' time for people to spend more time and
treasure in Edmonds (may not be true).
• A ferry reservation system is needed to implement the following suggested ideas to
maximize people's time spent in Edmonds (certainly NOT true, which suggests that the
issue might be more accurately described as 'How to better economically capitalize on
ferry traffic').
Goals/Objectives/Potential Barriers:
a. Entice ferry travelers to spend more time in Edmonds, either on the outbound or inbound
portion of their ferry trip.
b. Target restaurants and other venues that attract visitors.
c. Use the ferries to promote Edmonds services using 21'T century media.
d. Increase the quality of the 'Edmonds Experience', to create a virtuous cycle of return
visitors and 'word of mouth' referrals.
e. Barriers (relayed from Patrick): WSDOT gave Patrick a negative response, noting that the
ferries run too frequently on the Edmonds/Kingston run to make a reservation system
worthwhile. Also, that the physical layout of the ferry lanes wouldn't permit 'reserve and
park' capacity to enable a ferry reservation system.
Mitigating point: Susan noted that there are upcoming WSDOT plans to reconfigure the
existing ferry lanes, to make them broader by about six feet. Worth an update from WSDOT
to see if they still believe in their noted barriers, or have changed their minds.
Potential Work Steps:
a. Meet with WSDOT to discuss (see above). Susan has contact with John Vizina, WSDOT's
Governmental Affairs representative.
b. Contact City/Chamber folks in Anacortes to learn from their experience with ferry
reservations and impact on econ outcomes in their town. Do they have shuttle operations
to take visitors who are holding in the ferry lanes to their downtown area? Or is that
necessary in Anacortes?
c. Create solutions for better promotion of Edmonds on board the ferries
- Distribute new Edmonds Visitors Guides on board and in terminals
- Hire entertainers/story-tellers to ride the ferries during the summer months to promote
Edmonds history/services/etc.
- Use of QR codes or other promo spots ('What's happening now in Edmonds')
- Use geofencing to target ads to people on the ferry and in the line; the city currently has
an agency contracted that can do this type of work, and may already be
d. Create solutions for better sign age/artwork/etc. directing people to Edmonds after the
inbound trip ends and people depart (to leave people with a positive impression of
DRAFT Meeting Summary
Economic Development Commission
February 16, 2022
Page 4
Edmonds as they drive through DT or up Edmonds Way to get home). This may entice
people to spend more time in Edmonds on their next ferry trip.
Public artwork at street level; strategically placed at ingress/egress to Edmonds
Different signage/banners.
- Messaging to stop at a restaurant and pickup food (from DT, other districts, Highway 99,
food trucks) to take home after their long trip. Is there a way to digitally post restaurants
and their specials on board the inbound ferry?
Many of these ideas tie into the prior brainstorming re: Puget Sound Express/whale
watching and other waterfront activities.
Doug noted that new Creative District signage on 1-5 will improve showcasing of Edmonds.
Is there a way to include a URL reference on that signage that steers visitors to 'What's
Happening Now in Edmonds' type of site?
7. City Update: Doug shared the satellite office is getting close to opening. The sign should be in place in
approximately three weeks; furniture now is going in now; PD is about ready to move in. He submitted a
grant application for 4th Ave Cultural Corridor project to ArtsWA.
8. Liaison Updates
a. City Council (Susan Paine) not much to report. Council is reviewing the 2022 budget. Public
Hearing for electric vehicle standards is coming up.
b. Port of Edmonds (Angela Harris) via Megan: continuing to move forward with new
administration building which will create open space where current building is, as well as seawall repairs
and boardwalk improvements.
c. Chamber of Commerce (Greg Urban) trying to get feedback from the City on the 41h of july
event. Working on other scheduling other events for the year. The Chamber is partnering with L&I to
provide workshops to businesses. The Salish Sea Brewing Boathouse ribbon cutting is planned for March
16th
d. Planning Board (Roger Pence) Planning Board has its annual retreat on March 9th. Let Roger
know of any issues they should be considering this year.
9. Roundtable Discussion:
Carrie: Gave a brief update on what Ed! is currently doing.
Kevin Harris: Biz Booster 2.0 has been launched. Thanked Carrie and Scott, a lot of work and effort went
into it. Thanks to Greg, Patrick, Doug, and Megan as well. Also, thanks to Kelsey Foster for the assist on
the Media Release.
Darrol: having dinner in Edmonds to celebrate anniversary!
Kevin Smith: congrats on Biz Booster. Niles Peacock Pizza best in the City!
Keith: good job on the biz booster!
Evan: good work and good meeting!
Nicole thanked everyone!
10. Adjourn at 8:09 p.m.
Next regular meeting: March 16, 2022, 6 PM location Zoom
DRAFT Meeting Summary
Economic Development Commission
February 16, 2022
Page 5
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
IDEA PIPELINE AND IDEA
EXPANSION
The EDC first developed this idea list during a 2020 retreat. Ideas added to this list can come
from individual commissioners, committees, the public or recommendations from City Council
Members or the Mayor.
Document update: Feb 16, 2022
The EDC first developed an idea list during the 2020 retreat. Ideas added to the list can come
from individual commissioners, committees, the public or recommendations from City Council
Members or the Mayor.
Idea Name
Idea Description
Status
Edit Date
Neighborhood Brand
Create an over -arching Edmonds brand with sub -brands
Draft
11/17/21
Development
for neighborhood business districts to communicate the
different qualities of each giving each district a unique
sense of place.
Tourism
Finding strategies for attracting visitors through non-
Draft
11/17/21
traditional arrivals foot ferry, bus, sounder, light rail
Entertainment
Children's museum and recreational opportunities
Draft
11/17/21
Green
Green Tourism/Green Business
aqLking
Parking Solutions
Draft
2/16/22
Neighborhood Vitality
Develop vision for economic vitality across all
areas/neighborhoods in Edmonds
Hwy 99
Support city facilities and activities along uptown areas and
Draft
1/19/22
hwy 99 renewal zone
Innovative Food
Food Truck and Vendor Pop Up Spaces in unused
Draft
1/19/22
lots/locations
Business Development
Promoting small business expansion along hwy 99 and
International District
Walkable City Concepts
Leverage best parts of walkable main street
Draft
1/19/22
Ferry Traffic
Reservation System
Draft
2/16/22
Neighborhood
—Ferry
HealthTech Corridor Development
Draft
2/16/22
Development
Neighborhood
Downtown Preservation District
Development
Neighborhood
Consider form based development code for business
Development
districts — Perrinville, Firdale, HealthTech Corridor, 5-
Corners
Shuttle
Explore mobility options between different areas of
Edmonds shuttle, ebikes, trolley)
Business Development
Attracting corporate satellite workspaces
IDEA DEVELOPMENT
Neighborhood Brand Development and Marketing
Goals/Objectives: This concept is to create an overarching Edmonds brand along with sub -brands for
neighborhood business districts that communicate the different qualities of each, giving each district a unique
sense of place. The primary focus will be on the business community, though the residents will be included as
stakeholders. This will help to:
1. Attract more businesses to all areas of Edmonds
Strengthen the sense of community in all the neighborhood districts
Create/enhance the business communities that exist, highlighting the strengths of the different areas
Steps:
1. Identify neighborhood districts to focus on
2. Identify community leaders that live or work in each neighborhood district to help drive the process (potentially
council members)
3. Engage with the community to find out what they think defines their district 4. Design a solution, potentially
with a brand agency or consultant
Working Assumptions:
Since Downtown Edmonds & Waterfront receive the majority of visitors it will be the hub, driving
awareness and visits to other areas of town in various ways TBD
The focus is on economic development of each neighborhood business district
Tourism Visitor Attraction Through Non -Traditional Arrivals
Goals/Objectives: The city can help support greater demand for whale watching at the Port by taking greater
advantage of the Destination/Port of Edmonds program and additional creative city support. Bruce noted that
currently 50% of whale watchers arrive via public transport. Vision of success: see #2 below.
Ramp up to an additional 5,000 new visitors to Edmonds annually (by the end of 5 years).
Incent/promote/entice those visitors to come downtown after their Puget Sound Express boat ride and
'experience Edmonds'.
Benefit: additional services revenues Downtown plus additional Port Services/PSE revenues.
4. Physical connection between Port and Downtown: clear, fun path to walk; signage for directions to
fountain (10 minute walk); Bruce noted that the Port should be willing to develop shuttle services to meet
demand.
Steps:
1. Evaluate scalability of Destination/Port of Edmonds program
2. Craft a 2 minute video to show on PSE boat trip when returning from trip
3. Disseminate new visitors guides (10K being printed) to PSE and port to help advertise Downtown
services
4. Ask Port to step up to increased demand to provide transport services between Port and
Downtown for those visitors who wish to be transported.
5. Develop incentives to entice folks Downtown — e.g., use ARPA funds to convert into Chamber
bucks to pick up in person at the Chamber and use for services. (Check legality of Edmonds
subsidy).
6. Federal infrastructure bill: what could Edmonds use $$ for in this regard? Direct or indirect? Make
sidewalks/streets more accessible. Need to brainstorm.
Note: Boutique hotel at Port would add an important dimension, increase Downtown shuttle demand and change
this idea's framework/steps.
Entertainment: Children's Museum and Recreation
Develop a family -centric, year -around learning/play/exploration option for families of Edmonds and neighboring
municipalities. Children's Museum would help Edmonds' reputation and increase options for being a "family
friendly" city with family friendly entertainment options.
Goals/Objectives: Edmonds would have an indoor option for families with young children to explore and play in a
learning based environment (opportunities for education on cultures and diversity, science, environment, and
other related activities.
Indirect benefit to city:
i. Revitalization of Highway 99 (making it more attractive to development and visitors)
ii. Could it draw restaurants or other businesses to the area if family entertainment options are in
the area?
iii. Could location also target public park (e.g., zoning next to park location)
Steps:
1. Study optimal operating structure (for profit or non-profit)
2. Capital requirement and revenue model. Does it pencil out in a city of our size? ii. Contact Edmonds
investors to help understand feasibility and desire to contribute
3. Arts collaboration: Could Children's Museum partner with arts community? Example — Arts "pass" at
other museums or art options includes an annual pass to the children's museum
4. Identify location: Highway 99 or Firdale if redeveloped/Does Edmonds make sense or would
Lynnwood/North Shoreline/MTL be more suitable?
a. Identify City involvement? Zoning
b. Create public awareness, interest, and community engagement iii. EDC create model
(business/non-profit plan) Q: Is there enough young families to support children's museum in city
of our size
c. City campaign to get private interest (e.g., advertising non-profit board) - City could waive or
reduce development fees (if non-profit)
Contacting Seattle/Everett and other successful museums — would they be willing to either educate EDC
on business model or partner (e.g., satellite).
a. Pop-up locations at Waterfront Center
b. Connected/partnering with other ventures (example — Seattle Ferris wheel being near aquarium,
etc.)
Brainstorming ideas for Children's Museum or related indoor entertainment option (bowling, swimming,
"Fantasia 2.0").
a. More reliable and year -around swimming options
b. Outdoor music gazebo (an example is Shoreline near City Hall). City Park? Yost Park? Weekend
children's art events (Waterfront center)
c. Creative district endeavors and collaboration with the creative district.
d. Larger vision around general children's experience in Edmonds.
e. Multiple options in varying districts (allowing different entertainment options in different
districts)
f. Marsh restoration (education on environnment, salmon, children -focused educational experience,
etc.)
g. Seasonality —creating year -around options
7. Could the library be moved, and the current library building be repurposed for a children's museum?
Parking Solutions
As more people come to enjoy our Downtown areas: Central Business/Shops/Resturants District, Arts
Corridor, Performing Arts Center, and City Hall we will continue to put pressure on our existing parking
stall inventory. Competition for parking included, Employees, Residents in DT area, and customers and
visitors in general.
Goals/Objectives:
Improve parking inventory and create alleviate the growing scarcity of parking availability in the
downtown core and improve pedestrian experience.
Explore: Parking garage options with walkable and convenient access to downtown.
Steps:
More public input and data gathering to quantify the issue
Explore opinions of employers and employees
Recognize that no solution will just continue to put pressure on parking availability
Understand inventory — how many are occupied by employees and how many by visitors
Look for ways to keep parking on the city agenda
Hwy 99: City facilities and activities along renewal zone
A vibrant live -work -play neighborhood. New look at the 99 corridor amenities and offering city services that
matter to residents living in the area
Goals/Objectives:
Creating a hub of access to city services and city facilities will support and expand business growth/new
businesses in the area. It will create city presence/access to services in the area and make services more
accessible to a broader population of residents. It will create a neighborhood vibe that attracts visitors
(shopping, living, recreation).
Steps:
1. Roundtable/open house events of residents living in area, potential visitors to area
a. Need multiple locations, times, polling, mechanisms for feedback
b. Use 5 corners study as a model and pull ideas
2. Strengthen support to business community
3. Engage experts who live in the area
4. Evaluate city services which could be provided and fund (building and people) — exploring non-traditional
office hours
Walkable City Concepts
Using public space to create a sense of community and social connection. Creating events to bringing people out
of the local neighborhoods into a central location to connect with others.
Goals:
1. Creating a "cultural corridor" for incorporated multi -cultural aspects to the event. While many activities
are "in the bowl", bringing in vendors from the larger area of Edmonds widens the activities to include
vendors from outside the downtown core.
2. Using open spaces for events and festivals.
3. Creating walkable spaces for the public to especially along the Highway 99 corridor.
4. Multicultural events to celebrate Edmonds' diversity.
5. Structure the events to enhance socialization in all areas of the city.
Ferry Reservations
Vision: Capture some increasingly significant portion of ferry line traffic to divert into Edmonds to extend visitor's
stay and spend money on goods and services, and improve visitor's 'Edmonds Experience'. 'Don't waste time in
the ferry line!'
Assumptions: A ferry reservation system could free up 'bonus' time for people to spend more time and treasure
in Edmonds.
Goals/Objectives/Potential Barriers:
Steps
- Entice ferry travelers to spend more time in Edmonds, either on the outbound or inbound
portion of their ferry trip.
- Target restaurants and other venues that attract visitors.
- Use the ferries to promote Edmonds services using 21'T century media.
- Increase the quality of the 'Edmonds Experience', to create a virtuous cycle of return
visitors and 'word of mouth' referrals.
- Barrier: WSDOT gave the city a negative response, noting that the ferries run too
frequently on the Edmonds/Kingston run to make a reservation system worthwhile. Also,
that the physical layout of the ferry lanes wouldn't permit 'reserve and park' capacity to
enable a ferry reservation system.
- Mitigating point: Understanding that there are upcoming WSDOT plans to reconfigure the
existing ferry lanes, to make them broader by about six feet. Worth an update from
WSDOT to see if they still believe in their noted barriers, or have changed their minds.
- Meet with WSDOT to discuss
- Contact City/Chamber folks in Anacortes to learn from their experience with ferry
reservations and impact on econ outcomes in their town. Do they have shuttle operations
to take visitors who are holding in the ferry lanes to their downtown area? Or is that
necessary in Anacortes?
Create solutions for better promotion of Edmonds on board the ferries
Distribute new Edmonds Visitors Guides on board and in terminals
Hire entertainers/story-tellers to ride the ferries during the summer months to promote
Edmonds history/services/etc.
- Use of QR codes or other promo spots ('What's happening now in Edmonds')
- Use geofencing to target ads to people on the ferry and in the line; the city currently has
an agency contracted that can do this type of work, and may already be
Create solutions for better signage/artwork/etc. directing people to Edmonds after the
inbound trip ends and people depart (to leave people with a positive impression of
Edmonds as they drive through DT or up Edmonds Way to get home). This may entice
people to spend more time in Edmonds on their next ferry trip.
- Public artwork at street level; strategically placed at ingress/egress to Edmonds
Different signage/banners.
Messaging to stop at a restaurant and pickup food (from DT, other districts, Highway 99,
food trucks) to take home after their long trip. Is there a way to digitally post restaurants
and their specials on board the inbound ferry?
- Many of these ideas tie into the prior brainstorming re: Puget Sound Express/whale
watching and other waterfront activities.
There may be new signage on 1-5 will improve showcasing of Edmonds. Is there a way to
include a URL reference on that signage that steers visitors to 'What's Happening Now in
Edmonds' type of site?
Food Truck and Vendor Pop Up Spaces
Create a vibrant food -truck culture and reputation in Edmonds that:
1. Appropriately supplants unused space (on a temporary or longer -term basis, depending on many factors)
2. Complements events and/or resident or visitor experience
3. Helps contribute to 'livability' in areas of Edmonds outside of the downtown core
4. Complements the waterfront
5. Doesn't 'compete' with existing restaurants
6. Provides affordable dining options
Goals/Objectives:
1. Create pockets of econ dvpt in areas that are lacking
• E.g., Firdale has one restaurant
• Activity via mini -events (small arts & crafts fairs) or food trucks/ice cream truck
• Create reliable, sustainable outside food options: Marina Beach, dog park, car wash, other
potential sites
• Hospital district options, since one of Edmonds' largest employers only offers hospital cafeteria as
a convenient option
2. Give smaller biz/entrepreneurs a chance to participate
3. Complement/help promote local events/activities
• E.g., soccer tournaments, around high schools
• Provide outside dining options for larger Edmonds events
4. Make non-DT neighborhoods more desirable/more unique
• Contribute to walkability/promote community health
5. Give teens/youth something more affordable to spend time/hang out
6. Portland model
• Bathrooms available, common seating/picnic tables, parking lot of tavern (serves beer out the
window to vendors/customers)
• Good interim use of property/commercial zone to attract biz to city
7. Olympia model
• Used vacant lot (decommissioned gas station) downtown, four 'regular' food trucks in place, very
successful, no restaurants nearby.
8. Partnership opportunities with taverns, other complementary businesses supporting each other
Steps:
1. Evaluate: Current food truck inventory and city ordinance restrictions
2. List of vacant lots (Used to have from way back —Greg to check and will ask Megan if she has older list)
and other potential sites
3. Talk to Scotty's/Shubert Ho re: barriers/restrictions
• Interview: why did Shubert get rid of his food truck?
4. Talk to non -Edmonds operators
• What opportunities/barriers are perceived re: coming into Edmonds?
• Speak with food trucks who come regularly to Edmonds events
• What new type of creative models might make their P&L work?
HealthTech Corridor Development
Idea/Vision:
Office complex location housing multiple corporate operations under the category/segment of
HealthTech. Key: one anchoring company with others. Edmonds College (Shoreline CC, Everett CC, CWU
Lynnwood) has curriculum associated with healthtech. Swedish system has expanded partnership
capabilities around tech development and/or clinical research.
Goals and Objectives
Steps:
Elevated profile for region, draw for high paying jobs, long term growth trajectory of industry and region.
1. Explore partnership capabilities —Swedish, Virginia Mason, UW, Verdant (most likely partner)
2. Understand land development capabilities in near and long term
3. Identify potential anchoring company