Spokane's Neighborhood Business Centers (NBC) Program

Mayor Mary Verner's Your City Visits and Filming

noreply@blogger.com (Spokane's NBC) — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 15:20:00 +0000

Mayor Verner's "Your City" Hillyard/Market St District Visit and Filming

Mayor Verner's "Your City" Garland District Visit and Filming

Mayor Verner's "Your City" South Perry District Visit and Filming

Monroe, NMBD Corridor, August 13, 2008, 10am-1pm

Sprague, ESBA (Corridor & Industrial area), October 8, 2008, 10am-1pm
Location TBD, December 10, 2008, 10am-1pm

Avista - Support Businesses that Support Renewables

noreply@blogger.com (Spokane's NBC) — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 15:17:00 +0000

Over 100 local businesses support renewable power by participating in the Avista Buck-A-Block program on a commercial level. These Buck-A-Block stickers displayed in business’ windows identify participants and Avista encourages you to support these companies in their efforts. Read more.

YourEconomy

noreply@blogger.com (Spokane's NBC) — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 14:49:00 +0000

. . . is a free resource that enables visitors to take a closer look at business activity in their local communities—and across the country. YourEconomy.org

Complete Streets - What's New

noreply@blogger.com (Spokane's NBC) — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 15:29:00 +0000

The streets of our cities and towns ought to be for everyone, whether young or old, motorist or bicyclist, walker or wheelchair user, bus rider or shopkeeper. But too many of our streets are designed only for speeding cars, or worse, creeping traffic jams. They’re unsafe for people on foot or bike — and unpleasant for everybody for more information . . . visit the Complete Streets web site

“HYPERLOCAL”

noreply@blogger.com (Spokane's NBC) — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 21:01:00 +0000

You’ve heard it before: in a globalized, connected world, most people cling to the local more fanatically than ever. Whether it’s fear of the unknown, or eco-concerns, or just the simple fact that, except for a tiny minority of jet-setting, rootless, high-potentials such as yourselves, millions of consumers find themselves in a very local world 49 weeks of the year. Speaking to their preference for things produced locally, ethically, authentically (STILL MADE HERE!) will net you some innovations today. Guaranteed. Learn from: canadianblank.

Sweatshop-free Canadian Blank sells blank, unbranded T-shirts and clothing made entirely in Quebec. Everything from fabric manufacture to dyeing, cutting and sewing is performed in the French-Canadian province, and through Blank's wholesale services retailers can customize items with the colors, fabrics and formats of their choice. The company operates two Montreal stores, both of which also serve as production sites—large windows at the back allow customers to see the clothes being made. Whereas almost 18,000 garment jobs were lost between 2003 and 2004 in Quebec, according to the province's Institut de la Statistique, Blank's sales doubled in 2006, allowing it to open its second store (source: the McGill Daily).
Read the full article on Springwise.

Regional Pedestrian Plan Channel 5 Video

noreply@blogger.com (Spokane's NBC) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 22:34:00 +0000

SRTC and the Spokane Regional Health District recently teamed up with Cable Channel 5 to put together a video to publicize the Regional Pedestrian Plan we have been working on with the Regional Pedestrian Plan Committee. Click here to watch the video.

Mixed-Use Isn't Enough: 'Omni-Use' Cores Enliven the Metropolis

noreply@blogger.com (Spokane's NBC) — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 17:32:00 +0000

It is no longer good enough to plop housing on top of a retail strip, call it "mixed-use," and expect to intelligently improve the urban setting, or build real value. True metropolitan development -- and real, long-term commercial success -- fuses many uses together, including hotels, retail, restaurant-bars, museums, stadiums, libraries, movie theaters, housing and even creative live/work light industrial, writes Keith Ray . . . Click here to read the entire article on Planetizen

Interesting story – check it out and then come back and post your comments. - Teri

Regional Pedestrian Plan Survey

noreply@blogger.com (Spokane's NBC) — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 15:06:00 +0000

SRTC, the City of Spokane, the Spokane Regional Health District, and the Regional Pedestrian Plan Committee have joined up to develop a Regional Pedestrian Plan. In order to put this plan together, we are looking for feedback on a variety of issues affecting pedestrians. Attached is a link to the Regional Pedestrian Plan survey. The information gathered through this survey will be used to identify areas/issues in the region that should be focused on to make it easier to walk in our community. We would like your comments regardless of the amount of walking you do.

Please take the time to complete the first of a series of surveys and provide us with valuable information by June 23.

Thank you!
Click Here to take survey

My Neighborhood's Walk Score - what's yours?

noreply@blogger.com (Spokane's NBC) — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 20:22:00 +0000

Walk Score: 69 out of 100
Walk Score

What makes a neighborhood walkable?
Walkable communities tend to have the following characteristics:
A center: Walkable neighborhoods have a discernable center, whether it's a shopping district, a main street, or a public space.
Density: The neighborhood is dense enough for local businesses to flourish and for public transportation to be cost effective.
Mixed income, mixed use: Housing is provided for everyone who works in the neighborhood: young and old, singles and families, rich and poor. Businesses and residences are located near each other.
Parks and public space: There are plenty of public places to gather and play.
Accessibility: The neighborhood is accessible to everyone and has wheelchair access, plenty of benches with shade, sidewalks on all streets, etc.
Well connected, speed controlled streets: Streets form a connected grid that improves traffic by providing many routes to any destination. Streets are narrow to control speed, and shaded by trees to protect pedestrians.
Pedestrian-centric design: Buildings are placed close to the street to cater to foot traffic, with parking lots relegated to the side or back.
Close schools and workplaces: Schools and workplaces are close enough that most residents can walk from their homes.
Information compiled from CoolTown Studios and Walkable Communities, Inc.

Girls Day Out + A Great Article -thanks Luke

noreply@blogger.com (Spokane's NBC) — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 19:46:00 +0000

Teri,

I wanted to post something about this article: http://www.spokanejournal.com/spokane_id=article&sub=3596
It might be a good way to keep some GDO discussion going at this time of year. I think it might be a good idea for someone to try to work with this lady for GDO.

Thanks,

Luke Tolley

Teri says: I couldn't agree with you more - thanks for sharing the article!

Mayor Mary Verner's Upcoming Your City Visits and Filming

noreply@blogger.com (Spokane's NBC) — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 18:04:00 +0000

Mayor Verner's "Your City" Hillyard/Market St District Visit and Filming
Garland, GBD Center, June 11, 2008, 10am-1pm
Perry, SPBNA Center, June 24, 2008, 10am-1pm
Monroe, NMBD Corridor, August 13, 2008, 10am-1pm
Sprague, ESBA (Corridor & Industrial area), October 8, 2008, 10am-1pm
Location TBD, December 10, 2008, 10am-1pm

What is great about living, working, playing and shopping in Spokane's traditional neighborhood business districts? Watch these videos to find out. . . .

Watch Mayor Mary Verner's Roundtables

noreply@blogger.com (Spokane's NBC) — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 17:06:00 +0000

Aired March 27:Topic--How do we pay for City services?
Missed the "How Do we pay for City services?" Roundtable? Click here to watch the March 27 Roundtable online
Aired April 10:Topic--How can we encourage business and development? A look at development and business incentives.
Missed the "How can we encourage business and development?" Roundtable?
Click here to watch the April 10 Roundtable online
Aired May 21:Topic--How can we drive growth to centers and corridors?
Missed the "How can we encourage business and development?" Roundtable?
Click here to watch the May 21 Roundtable online

News from AMIBA - Independents Week!!

noreply@blogger.com (Spokane's NBC) — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 17:32:00 +0000

Independents Week July 1-7 - AMIBA's annual Independents Week campaign highlights everything we love about hometown businesses and recognizes their social, cultural and economic importance to the community. Participating communities engage citizens in community-building activities, promotions and more. We provide templates and how-to’s, including suggestions for activities. Participants choose what to do locally.

More than 180 communities participated in 2007, generating great media coverage in many. IBAs use the events to build their media presence, recruit members, and open the door to City Hall. They also have used Independents Week as a great starting point for organizing.

AMIBA affiliation is not required to participate. Registering online yields links to campaign information to help with planning and the templates and places participants on our list for media contacts that may help get regional coverage. We hope you’ll join us!

NBCs will you be participating and promoting Independents Week too????

Earth Day April 22

noreply@blogger.com (Spokane's NBC) — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 17:26:00 +0000

Earth Day is a good day to get in a "practice" bike to work day. Leave the car home and leave the environment a little cleaner than you otherwise would have! If you already plan on biking that day, right on!

Upcoming Cycling Events
Not all of these are Bike-to-Work events, but if you want to enjoy some "bike-to-work" types, you might enjoy these events:

3rd Annual Earth Day "Tread Lightly" bike ride. Saturday, April 19 at 12:30 P.M. Meet at the Gondola Meadows of Riverfront Park. Advertised as family friendly ride through downtown and maybe beyond.

Pedals2People fund raiser and ride. On Sunday, April 20, cyclists will leave Sandifur Park at 11:00 for a looping 40km trip to Benidito's Pizza at 14th and Lincoln. Beer, pizza and watching Paris-Roubaix start at 1:00. Ride from anywhere via anywhere you like, but be there to meet bicyclists and watch bicycle racing.

Master Bike Plan Open Houses

Tuesday, April 22, Southside Senior Activity Center, 3151 E. 27th Ave., from 6 to 8 P.M.
Thursday, April 24, at the West Central Community Center, 1603 N. Belt, from 7 to 9 P.M.
Tuesday, April 29, at the Northeast Community Center, 4001 N. Cook, from 6 to 8 P.M.

Gold Wheel Sponsor Unico Properties is offering a workshop to its Bank of America Building tenants 9:00 A.M. The Workshop will include information on bicycle commuting, support available to Bank of American building tenants if they bicycle (showers on site!), commute trip reduction, training tips and refreshments. If you are interested in something similar at your work place, contact Barb Chamberlain at barbchamberlainAThotmailDOTcom.

Two Wheel Transit will offer basic skills workshops the evenings of April 29 and May 6, just in time for BTW Month and Week. Space will be limited so watch this site for registration information. Learn the basics of maintenance and road side repair. A must for any cyclist who wants to know how the take care of their bike at home and on the road.

Small Business Week, 2008 A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America

noreply@blogger.com (Spokane's NBC) — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 17:20:00 +0000

White House News
In communities across America, small business owners are working hard to turn their dreams into enterprises. Small Business Week is a time to celebrate the many achievements of small business owners, entrepreneurs, and employees, who contribute to the vitality and prosperity of our Nation and create new job opportunities for our citizens . . . (visit the link above to view/read the entire proclamation) . . . What do you think???

Hitting higher marks!!

noreply@blogger.com (Spokane's NBC) — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 23:24:00 +0000

Spokane ranks 77 of 100 in CNN.com's "100 best places to live and launch." Pros: Great community involvement, outdoorsy environment; Cons: Business occupation tax, gray skies. See reference to GSI's Home Based Business Connection. Full article.

Washington ranks #7 as tax free haven. Spokane mention: "features a diverse blend of high-tech fields like biosciences as well as agriculture, forestry and manufacturing." Full article.

BEST METROS

noreply@blogger.com (Spokane's NBC) — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 22:40:00 +0000

In the 10th annual ranking of the Best Places for Business and Careers - Spokane ranks 9 up from last year's 20 spot . . .
http://www.forbes.com/2008/03/19/best-business-cities-biz-bestplaces08-cx_kb_0319places_land.html

BEST METROS
1 Raleigh NC
2 Boise ID
3 Fort Collins CO
4 Des Moines IA
5 Lexington KY
6 Atlanta GA
7 Richmond VA
8 Olympia WA
9 Spokane WA
10 Knoxville TN
View The Complete List

New Advertising Venue!

noreply@blogger.com (Spokane's NBC) — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 23:32:00 +0000

Please share– the Spokesman Review is now offering a new service www.BizFinderNW.com and encourage your businesses to make sure they are listed with this new service.

www.BizFinderNW.com I’ve seen their reps out talking pictures in some districts so maybe your biz pic will show up soon. . . check out the new site and come back here to post your comments about how useful it will be. . .

Spokane’s neighborhood business centers are well poised for retail development changes. . . .

noreply@blogger.com (Spokane's NBC) — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 21:03:00 +0000

Spokane’s traditional NBCs with Centers and Corridors zoning for mix-use development are well poised for the future of retail/neighborhood development . . . “stand-alone malls as they developed during the suburban boom in America during the past 50 years have run their course, but mixed-use developments including shopping venues as one part of the mix are the way of the future . . . developers today “have gone from being mall developers to being neighborhood developers.” (More) (Article: ULI Asks: 'Can Stand-Alone Malls Survive?') Read it, seen it, like it, ready for it . . . what do you think?

How are Spokane NBC small businesses becoming more “green” and/or “sustainable”?

noreply@blogger.com (Spokane's NBC) — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 00:13:00 +0000

Sprague – Acme TV did an expansion 7 years ago using super insulated building techniques developed by Jon Saylor our local architect that results in super energy savings. I installed lots of insulation and typically don't run the furnace more than 30 min each morning to heat up the building. Our gas consumption is very low in the winter and cooling costs in the summer are equally low.

Currently, I am working with Sustainable Works and Avista to upgrade some of the older furnaces (using Banner Fuel of course) in the older parts of our building. We have also installed Compact Fluorescents in all the flood and spotlights on the display floor resulting in reduced energy consumption and lower cooling bills in the summer. We take energy consumption seriously (its a big expense) and are always looking for ways to use less energy. Jim

Perry – Lorien Herbs & Natural Foods began to invest and gather materials and information to start converting our 1976 VW bus/camper into an electric urban vehicle. However, all too soon the 'downside' of converting a large and heavy vehicle to the more affordable DC drive system began to become more apparent. Because of the hills, and the less expensive DC system ($10,000) which is 'freewheeling', I discovered that one would be constantly using the brakes during decent. The alternating systems which can be used to regenerate power on decent also hold the vehicle back much like a regular gas engine in lower gear, but they are still prohibiting expensive. I am looking at a way around the dilemma at the moment. We are committed to the idea of driving an electric car for all of our city driving needs but increasingly it looks as if the answer may well be a new vehicle like the 'REVO Buster' from China. The Buster is an AC system of 72 volts and almost quite affordable as new car prices go. More importantly it is very recyclable as the 6 X 12 volt batteries can be completely rebuilt with very little waste every 4 or 5 years.

A little over a year ago and within a month we cut our electric power consumption in half, so much so that Avista could not believe it what had happened. They never saw such a drastic change in an electric bill unless someone was stealing electricity!

Now things are even more of a concern we are committed to do much more in an attempt to protect the existence of life on earth. To do nothing is completely unacceptable to us, this is our only home, and it is our duty to protect it for generations to come. Roger

Market/Hillyard – Fischbach; and more LLC, has been mfg and selling erosion and dust control products for 40 years. My "Fisch-Stik" organic tackifier is made from USA grown corn starch of food grade quality. My product "Terravest" is made by me right here in Hillyard, and is a completely biodegradable synthetic oil product invented in Germany in 1971 and used world-wide. Both of these products are used for soil and dust erosion control. I am currently involved with a company here in Spokane that will next month start production of a new hydroseeding mulch made entirely of recycled virgin plant fibers and blended with recycled office paper crap. We will not be cutting down trees as our competitors are doing. The new mulch is not yet on my web site, but my other products are.

Lastly, I am working with the largest food processing company in the US to develop an organic dust control product from soy oil to be used on dirt roads.
All this from a one man company!! Robert

Garland – Destiny Floral & Gifts and Pretty Things sells hand made cards done by local artist Cecile Charles who owns Gallery of Thum' in the Steam Plant downtown. We pick them up from her gallery and will be featuring them in our store from now on. And as all the local florists, we recycle our cardboard through the wholesale house. All flowers for the floral industry are shipped in especially in the cold non -growing seasons here and cardboard is a big issue. Susan

Sprague – Northwest Seed and Pet took on a energy efficient lighting project at our East Sprague store in 2006. This project was part of an Avista Utilities program to reduce electricity use. In the process we removed and replaced all old lighting that used outdated inefficient technology and replaced it with new high efficiency lighting inside and out. The project was about $40,000.00 to complete, with nearly half of that being paid through Avista rebates.

We also replaced one of our old heating and cooling units this past year with a new more efficient unit and plan to replace others as funds permit.

In the garden supply industry we have been promoting natural, organic, and sustainable gardening practices for many years but have only had much consumer interest in the past few years but this is growing. More and more of the products we stock and promote are natural products that are more environmentally friendly and/or produced using more “green” methods.

We also make effort to use more environmentally friendly cleaners and recycled materials in our pet rooms.

We sell honey produced by a local bee keeper, some dog treats made up in Deer Park, tea from Market Spice in Redmond, WA and I believe the steer manure still comes from cows in the Zilla, WA area. Bob

Monroe – Area 58 is geared toward re-using things--perhaps the purest form of recycling. Every time a customer buys a vintage dress from us, we've saved all the energy it would have taken to make a new dress, ship it here, etc. and since much of what most people buy new is actually manufactured overseas, when you buy vintage, you keep those dollars in the local economy. We also buy almost all of our stock locally, and much of it comes from CAREFULLY HAND-SELECTING our stock from stores that support community agencies: the Teen Challenge stores and the American Cancer Society Discovery Shop in the Garland District know us by name. So the dollar spent on a dress in our store is then recirculated into the local economy, often through a store that provides social services to people here in Spokane. You can't get much more local than that . . . Also, we support local and regional artists by showing their work. We've provided at least three local artists with their first shows. . . . Dennis

Garland – Blue Heron Soy Candle Co. soy wax is a vegetable by-product of bio-diesel processing. The by-product is reformulated to be used as candle wax, providing a water soluble, bio-degradable, sustainable product for candle making unlike the traditional paraffin candle wax which is a petroleum by-product. Not only does candle making provide an end use for the soy by-product it is also a much healthier product. The California EPA determined that the #1 home air pollutant is candle burning. The traditional paraffin candle emits a black oily soot in the home that contains 14 different chemicals, many that are carcinogens, neuro-toxins, and in general more harmful than cigarette smoke. Thank you, Pamela

Sprague - SereniTea Global Caffee 1804 E Sprague Ave is working hard to be a good and green neighborhood business. Our coffee is locally roasted by our neighborhood's Craven's Coffee, who imports shade grown eco friendly beans from cooperatives who promote sustainable eco-agriculture. Our Tea suppliers are members of the Ethical Tea Partnership who monitor Tea Estates to ensure their tea is produced in a socially responsible way. Our bakery items are local, as well as much of our produce, being organic where possible. We serve ourin house coffee, tea and beverages in stoneware mugs and glasses. Better yet, bring your own mug and we'll be happy to fill it. The cafe is housed in a 100 year old historic building which we have preserved and renovated. Showcased inside SereniTea is local art and handicrafts. In addition we carry gifts and handicrafts acquired from village artisans from our world travels with fair trade and the hopes of sustainable commerce. SereniTea is about people and community, on a local and global basis. Jan

Sprague - Independent Cycle at 1802 E Sprague Ave is a vintage motorcycle salvage parts business which has been recycling since 1987. Parts removed from old motorcycles are cleaned and/or reconditioned and sold to motorcycles owners and enthusiasts around the world. Any unusable parts are taken to local scrap metal companies. Parts are cleaned with a parts washer using boiling water and biodegradable and environmentally friendly detergents instead of chemicals. Independent Cycle shares the old Inland Hardware building with SereniTea Global Caffee. Efforts to be green are important to us. Jan

Discover Spokane's Business Centers

noreply@blogger.com (Spokane's NBC) — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 22:13:00 +0000

South Perry Business & Neighborhood Association (SPBNA)
2nd Tuesday of the month
Spencer Grainger
624-1264
mailto:spencerguygrainger@gmail.com

East Spokane Business Association (ESBA)
Every Wednesday
Jim Hanley
535-1111
mailto:dr@acmetv.com

Greater Hillyard Business Association (GHBA)
General Meeting the 2nd Wednesday of the month
John Bogensberger, (509) 489-4200, mailto:john@signsfs.com or

Jim Solomon, (509) 951-0900, mailto:Solomon.Jim@gmail.com

North Monroe Business District (NMBD)
2nd Tuesday of the month
Cecilia Kralik509-535-7831 Cell 509-270-1421 ceciliakralik@northmonroebusinessdistrict.org

Garland Business District (GBD)
Last Wednesday of the month
Sue Bradley
325-1500
mailto:tinmanartworks@yahoo.com

What we do and why. . . .

noreply@blogger.com (Spokane's NBC) — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 22:02:00 +0000

The City of Spokane Neighborhood Business Centers (NBC) program http://www.SpokaneNBC.org/ holds a National Trust for Historic Preservation Main Street ™ http://www.mainstreet.org/ network membership and is currently working towards becoming a Main Street Citywide program. Because of our unique status of not yet being a Citywide Main Street program, we are functioning on two levels. As a Citywide program NBC will be providing the technical assistance and guidance to our business districts that function as Main Street programs handling the implementation within their districts. Currently, NBC is both implementing projects and providing the technical assistance. Though NBC is a few years away from reaching Main Street’s citywide status, we still follow its Four-Point Approach ™ to revitalization. We provide organizational and business development training, fund and implement capital improvements, and work with five business districts on promotion and organizational capacity building.

Design getting the neighborhood business centers into top physical shape.
Organization getting all stakeholders working toward the same goals.
Promotion selling a positive image of the neighborhood business districts.
Economic Restructuring strengthening our existing economic assets within the business districts while expanding and diversifying the City’s economic base