University District Partnership

Between 2012 and 2015, BDS Planning served as the project manager and interim staff leadership for the emerging University District Partnership. This multi-faceted effort included a community-based strategic plan, recruiting a broadly-representative public-private board of directors, reinventing the neighborhood chamber of commerce, rebranding the neighborhood, and gaining widespread recognition of the Partnership as the go-to leadership organization for this vibrant and innovative district of entrepreneurs, major employers, talented workers, and diverse residents.                                            

Once the Partnership was established, BDS Planning was also the primary facilitator, process lead, technical and outreach consultant for the expansion of the U District BIA. This process resulted in the revenue generated by the BIA more than tripling. This effort required a fine-grained, parcel-by-parcel analysis of who owns what and of individual motivations for the district. Using in-depth research, strategic communications, active facilitation, careful listening, and catalytic leadership, BDS Planning helped the U District community craft a work plan and funding strategies tailored to local needs and ensured passage through the Seattle City Council in 2015.    

In 2019-20, BDS Planning supported the renewal of the U District BIA by organizing ratepayer outreach, managing and tracking petition gathering, and providing organizational and strategic counsel for the City Council process.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:  U District Strategic Plan, 2012; U District Partnership launch, 2013; U District BIA expansion, 2015;  U District BIA renewal, 2020

STUDIES COMPLETED: Retail Trade Area Analysis; Housing Study; Youth Employment Program

STRATEGIES COMPLETED AND IMPLEMENTED: Branding Strategy; Urban Design Framework; Crime Hot Spot Strategy; Start-up Incubator Study; Alleyway Design + Activation

TESTIMONIAL

“A special thank you and shout out for your work in supporting the UD BIA renewal. So helpful and so appreciated!” ~ Mark Crawford, Interim Executive Director