SODO Business Improvement Area Feasibility, Implementation & Reauthorization

BDS Planning & Urban Design acted as facilitator and project manager for the SODO Business Improvement Area’s campaign to reauthorize and expand its Business Improvement Area to include the entire area that is traditionally considered SODO.

Beginning in 2011, BDS worked with the SODO Business Association to understand its history, capacity, budget, volunteer and staff capabilities, and financial position. BDS facilitated a strategic assessment of the organization, leading property and business owners to agree that a common entity and voice was important for the area’s economic well-being. They also agreed that consistent professional staffing and services for the neighborhood would be essential for the organization’s success. Through this process, the group launched the SODO BIA campaign, which led to the adoption of the SODO BIA by Seattle City Council in September of 2013.  

Since 2013, the SODO BIA has established itself as a responsive and reliable resource for businesses and property owners to collectively obtain the improvements they want to see in the SODO neighborhood. Over time, local businesses and property owners’ have made requests for BIA services be expanded to the entire neighborhood. This 2018 expansion responds to those requests by providing BIA’s services, including safety, cleanliness, mobility, and advocacy to all properties and businesses in the neighborhood.  

This expansion effort began with a candid review of the SODO Business Improvement Area’s previous boundaries and budget. BDS re-engaged a core group of property and business owners to identify the expanded boundaries and prepared the group to conduct a thorough ratepayer outreach campaign in the community. BDS also led the BIA through the process of updating the BIA’s workplan and budget, using property information from the King County Assessor. The resulting campaign led to more than 60% support of the expanded BIA proposal by the area’s property owners. The expanded SODO BIA was adopted by Seattle City Council in September 2018.

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