HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/04/2008 08 Yakima Avenue Banner Consistency • BUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
AGENDA STATEMENT
Item No.
For Meeting of March 4, 2008
ITEM TITLE: Motion to approve proposal for Banner Consistency on Yakima Avenue
SUBMITTED BY: William R. Cook, Director of Community and Economic Development
Department
CONTACT PERSON/TELEPHONE: Michael Morales, Deputy Director of Community and Economic
Development (575 -3533)
SUMMARY EXPLANATION:
In Tight of the recent community discussion regarding the decorative banners installed along West
Yakima Avenue, we have spent some time exploring options that may be available to us for their
replacement. In the course of doing so, it was brought to our attention by several community
members that the identity within the central business district appears to be fragmented, due in large
part to the presence of five (5) different banner designs that are present within this one stretch of
roadway, which is the main entrance to our community. These banners are:
• • 42 "Yakima" banners from 7 Ave. F
to Front Street (Phase 2 Banners)
• 9 single color flags -type banners from Front Street to 1st Street (Front Street District)
• 4 Welcome to Yakima banners from 1 Street to 2" Street (YDA banner)
• 8 Gateway to Wine Country from 2nd Street to 4 Street (YDA banner)
• 20 Washington Wine Country "Perfectly Balanced" banners from Naches Ave to 9 Street
(Continued on page 2)
Resolution Ordinance Other (Specify)
Contracts Mail to (name and address):
•
Phone:
Funding Source Professio 1 Service 410 and Salary Savings
APPROVED FOR SUBMITTAL: City Manager
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
BOARD /COMMISSION /COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION: The Downtown Futures Oversight
Committee recommended approval of this proposal at their meeting on February 27, 2008.
COUNCIL ACTION:
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Agenda Statement for March 4, 2008
Banner Proposal
Page 2
In addition, the Yakima Visitors and Convention Bureau has just received a grant from Wine Country
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Washington to install sixty (60) of the "Perfectly Balanced" banners along North 1 Street from Yakima
Avenue to US 12. The city's Department of Community and Economic Development is also a partner
in this venture, and this will be an important addition to a major City gateway.
While the decorative additions to our downtown are certainly signs of healthy progress, the issues of
consistency, quality and perception are very important to continue this momentum. If these issues are
not addressed now, then two of our city's main entrances and our central business district will be
decorated with over 120 banners of at least six different design and color patterns in varying stages of
deterioration. That would not present a positive, consistent image for our community.
RECOMMENDATION / REQUESTED ACTION
Given the age and deteriorated appearance of the YDA and Front Street district banners, the varied
designs along Yakima Avenue, and the mixed reaction to, and subsequent notoriety of the West
Yakima Avenue banners, I would like the Council DFI Oversight Committee to consider replacing the
63 YDA, Front Street district (Yakima Avenue only), and West Yakima Avenue banners with new
Washington Wine Country (WWC) banners. 17 additional WWC banners would also be purchased to
ensure a ready supply of replacements that may be needed due to weather, vandalism, etc.
The WWC banners come in at least four designs to choose from, but with a consistent message and
color scheme, so the banners could be altemated down the avenue. Combined with the existing
WWC banners, and the new banners awarded for North 1 Street, this action would ensure that our
community portrays a consistent identity and brand throughout the Central Business District, and
continue along North 1 Street to US 12. •
COST
The high end estimate for WWC banners is $100 per banner, so the total cost of new banners is
approximately $8000, plus installation. Wine Country Washington, the organization that provides
grants for placement of the WWC banners, has agreed to match the banner cost dollar for dollar, and
will work with the city to save additional costs by bundling our request in with their banner order for
other community projects. The Public Works Department has offered its resources for take down and
installation of decorative banners.
Since the city has already paid for new banners along West Yakima Avenue out of the Phase 2
project, a group of local businesses have agreed to contribute much of the funds necessary to finance
the project. To date, we have verbal agreements from various parties to contribute at least $4,000 for
the purchase of new banners. Any additional minor costs could be paid for by project savings from
Phase 2.
SUPPORT
This effort was initiated by the community sentiment regarding the West Yakima Avenue banners,
particularly from members of the tourism industry. A number of local business people have agreed to
contribute to the project, and the Committee for Downtown Yakima and the Westside Merchants
Association have indicated their support for the replacement of these banners.
We appreciate your consideration of this request.
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