DEVELOPMENTS
News about construction projects underway
Posted October 2005
Downtown merchants say Shop, Dine, Ride
A new promotion between Sound Transit and the Downtown Seattle Association seeks to turn bus fares into thousands of potential customer for retailers throughout the business district during the two-year Seattle bus tunnel closure.
The $300,000 Shop, Dine & Ride promotional program provides money-saving vouchers to downtown Seattle stores for the 115,000 urban travelers who arrive via bus, train, vanpool or ferry. The coupons are found in widely distributed guides that provide Emerald City commuters with a host of ideas for things to do in Seattle. A media campaign will generate awareness of the brochures and extol the benefits of the transportation improvements.
The program is cost-free to participating stores. To appear in the semi-annual booklet, merchants need only designate an item or amenity they wish to discount a minimum of 15 percent. Free goods and or services will also earn retailers a color coupon in the guide.
Consumers providing proof that they use public transportation to get into the city will gain access to reductions at nearly 100 outlets, including Argosy Cruises, Il Fornaio, Niketown, Paddy Coyne's Irish Pub, the Seattle Symphony and Tully's Coffee. Bikestation, offering safe, indoor storage of bicycles and easy access to Flexcar and bicycle rentals, features a 30 percent discount to its annual service plan.
The campaign is one part of a $16-million mitigation package aimed at easing the impact of Sound Transit's light rail project connecting Sea-Tac Airport with downtown Seattle.
More information is available at shopdineride.org.
Business park connects industry to world
By providing all the connections industrial corporations need, the Port of Seattle believes a new business park near Sea-Tac Airport is the ticket to host of economic benefits for our region.
Low-rise buildings could operate throughout the 90-acre parcel purchased more than 10 years ago by the Port. The property promises companies convenient access to the airport, Highway 99 and I-5, as well as low overhead pricing.
The Des Moines property is alongside South 216th St. and west of 24th Ave. South.
Taxes and job creation at the site would reap benefits for the city and Port, which has been holding onto the property until a course of action was solidified for Sea-Tac's third runway. The decision to build the new airstrip to the west of the airport provided the all clear for the Port's commissioners to compose their study on the region called the New Economic Strategy Triangle (NEST). The NEST report looks for ways to foster economic growth throughout South King County, especially in the cities of Burien, Des Moines and SeaTac.
"Creating economic benefits for communities near the airport and the entire region are top priorities for the Port of Seattle," said Port of Seattle Commission President Bob Edwards. "Working with our neighbors in Des Moines, we have together found a way to provide good jobs for local residents and revenue for the city." A master plan is next on the checklist, with construction for the business park slated for 2007.