By Amy Rowley
A simple home improvement project can often be a major undertaking. Try revitalizing an entire neighborhood!
Ryan Andrews, Associate Planner for the City of Lacey, is coordinating a 10-year project to revitalize the Woodland District. This area stretches from the South Sound Center east to Lacey City Hall. Its borders include I-5 on the north, College Street to the east, the Lacey Woodland Trail on the south and the Chehalis Western Trail and city boundary to the west. A detailed map of the area can be found here.
“This area has a tremendous amount of potential,” describes Dancing Goats coffee shop owner Chris Reimertz. His business is located in the heart of the district. “Even though we are tucked away, we have close proximity to the interstate, shops, grocery stores.”
The project started last summer when a consultant was hired to help the city develop a strategic plan. A steering committee was created which includes representatives from local property owners, real estate, higher education, Thurston Economic Development Council and engaged business owners.
“Our students, faculty, staff, and monastic community are neighbors in the Woodland District and will benefit from revitalization efforts. We felt it was an honor to have a seat at the table,” says Jennifer Fellinger, Vice President of Marketing and Communications at Saint Martin’s University.
Now the team is facilitating public meetings to present the ideas and guide the project. The consultants and city staffers will discuss ideas, opportunities and catalyst projects. The goal is to gather input directly from Lacey citizens. Participants will use a keypad to indicate their preference for these proposals.
“A visual preference survey (using the keypad) provides us with instant results,” comments Andrews. “It informs us if the public feels we are heading in the right direction.”
Reimertz is enthusiastic about the public/private partnership. “This is very positive. There are a lot of good things that are happening to create a strong nucleus in the Woodland Square area. There is tremendous potential,” he says.
Generally, the plan is to inject more residential living space in and around the district. Andrews notes that currently there are only about 125 residential units. These individuals live in a fairly new mixed use apartment complex that has seen low vacancy rates since it was built.
“More people on the street means more business and an added vitality to the area,” says Andrews.
“We know that one key factor will be population density. We need people around the area, which will spur prosperity and economic vitality,” adds Reimertz.
One challenge is the high vacancy rates for the office buildings in the district, many of which can not easily be converted to residential or mixed use space. Andrews reports that more than 237,000 square feet of office space is currently vacant. Previously occupied by state workers, these employees are no longer shopping, dining, or relaxing in the Woodland District.
“The area offers significant opportunity for redevelopment with the recent departure of several state offices. Many of the bones for vibrant mixed use redevelopment, such as retail, parks, trails, education centers, and employment opportunities are already in place,” adds Renee Sunde, Deputy Director, Thurston Economic Development Council.
The team is considering tax exemptions as incentives to build multi-family residential complexes. Attracting more residents to the neighborhood continues to be a popular idea.
Some good news has already been announced within Lacey’s Woodland District. First, Intercity Transit opened a transit center hub at 6th and Golf Club. Travelers are transported throughout Thurston County as well as up and down I-5 to the Park and Ride in Lakewood.
Recently, South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC) purchased a large parcel of land. The new branch campus is expected to open in 2015, directly across from the transit center. “The most important aspect of the future Lacey campus is the location. I believe the surrounding retail businesses and close proximity to the Lacey Transit Center will serve our students well,” reports Nancy McKinney, Vice President of Administrative Services for SPSCC.
Besides injecting a lot of people into the Woodland District, city leaders are excited about the synergies between SPSCC and Saint Martin’s University.
“This is a great time for the community to get involved as the city works towards the long term transformation of the district,” summarizes Sunde.
To learn more about the project and share your voice, plan to attend the next public meeting on Wednesday, January 30. The meeting will begin at 5:30 pm at Lacey City Hall and is expected to last about two hours. The Woodland District Steering Committee will meet directly following the public workshop.
