I have been thinking of some ways that we can encourage growth in Duvall. This has been spurred on by the Mayors call to have an economic summit this year. I have looked at several options but I am very interested in what the people think is the best way.
So here is the question of the day: How can we encourage economic growth and development in town?
I am interested in all options, public or private.
Today Duvall seems to be a small town with lots of antique and niche shops. While I enjoy some of these shops, they really don't seem adequate to drive the town economy. I think that it would be a very good idea for us to expand eastward, and create a bypass from Monroe to I-90 on the east side of town. This would provide a much needed way out of town in the event of flooding, as well as provide a major throughfare to expand the business opportunities. I could imagine a Walmart, a truck stop / motel / gas station for the truckers who currently go to I-405 or I-5 to get around 202 / 203 on their way north. Not only would this increase our local business opportunities, but it would also help with some traffic congestion further west.
ReplyDeleteBart
Bart,
ReplyDeleteThis is a great idea. We currently have Amy Ockerlander on the City Council and her connections in Olympia would be a great start to this discussion. She ran Rep. Larry Springer's campaign and she was a legislative assistant to him for a time.
I will forward this idea to her and see what she can do to get it into the hands of the right people.
This question has already been asked of the whole town. I know that Anne Laughlin was working with Think2B (is that their name) - the local marketing group - to see what citizens want for Future Duvall.
ReplyDeleteAny idea what the results of the survey are? I'm hoping that others on council are picking up the ball since Anne is no longer there. - Carolyn Durant
The mayor stated at the council meeting that the results of the survey should be out "soon". I hope that they follow through with the survey and do all they can to promote economic growth.
ReplyDeleteIf I could be permitted to pipe in with something that Duvall does NOT need more of, it's city parks. We have more parks in this town than my kids can reasonably visit, and many of them are empty most of the time. I propose shutting down the least frequently used and reclaiming the land for other uses, and banning the creation of new city parks until the existing ones are used efficiently.
ReplyDeleteBart, why don't you present your new parks plan to Council during the public comment period at the beginning of each meeting?
ReplyDeleteBart,
ReplyDeleteNo need to go to the council meeting. Many of them read the blog and I am sure that they have already seen your comments.
You may be audited now but what can you do...
Undoubtedly, one of the hardest things for a small city is discussion on economic development. Plans abound, but implementation and follow through are a touchy issue. While others have argued (even in this forum) that cities should not have a hand in such things, the reality is that outside funding entities, such as PSRC, require a feasible plan in place for economic development in order to justify the acquisition of funding from that source and others. (Whether PSRC should have the right to factor this in when it was originally intended for the distribution of transportation funds is a separate discussion about legislative intent and city participation on regional policy-making boards.)
ReplyDeleteDuvall has a positive aspect in that it is a rural-type city with major roads to other small, moderate and large cities. This provides a unique opportunity that many other cities do not enjoy. Local businesses and most citizens will desire a small town, "mom and pop" community business plan. This is not really sustainable in the long-term.
Cities like Raymond capitalize on their park system to bring in individual recreational tourism that filters into the community. Cites like Snohomish capitalize on antique shops and antique taverns for individual tourism but have recently had to branch out into big box (Fred Meyers, Home Depot, etc) in order to diversify their economy for stability and meet the needs of their citizens. Leavenworths are rare and should not be relied upon as an example for theme-tourism. Everett has government centers which are a stable backbone for many other businesses and has population to support diversity.
Duvall has a vibrant arts and recreation community here. Eclectic destinations are good but need intensive advertising to capitalize.
One concept getting some traction is regional clusters (this has several other names) and may be able to work with the other partnerships that Duvall has developed. For instance, looking at similar businesses within one city as bringing in outside dollars into the area. For instance, Chelan has developed wine and wine tasting. Snohomish again has utilized antiques. This can be utilized in manufacturing (business to business support rather than tourism).
The concept is that if "competing" companies are located in a similar geographic zone (clusters)- one example could be a Duvall-Carnation-Monroe) - then they all benefit. One popular example: If companies who want aerospace goods know that this area has many manufacturers and suppliers, then all of the supplying companies benefit from exposure and access to business opportunities. The same can be said for wine-tourism, or a number of other concepts. This is a very barebones description of the concept, but I hope I have been able to communicate the benefit of considering it. Diversification in other businesses would still be important for sustainability and allow other businesses to thrive.
This idea would require stakeholder conversations with others outside of Duvall, but can piggyback on the other regional economic development and cooperative efforts that Duvall has engaged in. However, with Duvall's access to other cities as mentioned above, this concept could have some legitimate implementation opportunities that may take other areas longer to achieve.
There are just my few cents. I can help direct to local literature and individuals who can expound further on this concept and who could help bring stakeholder discussions together with the council and mayor if they think this concept may have merit for the community.
Best regards,
-Politicalinclin
I like this idea of a regional attraction. There are many places in the valley that offer unique experiences and opportunities. I will throw in my 2 cents that we should capitalize on Markworth State Forest right here near Duvall and lobby the state to help develop this into a campground with multiple use trails for hiking, hoseback, biking, and even a motorized section.
ReplyDeleteI like the direction this is heading.
Charley,
ReplyDeleteI will not be posting your last comments because I do not feel that your psychological evaluation of Rob is appropriate for this forum. Please email him if you still want to let him know what you think.
Thank you
Thomas
Charley,
ReplyDeleteI just got on and saw that you have some insight into my psyche. I have my minor in psychology and would love to hear your thoughts on my mental state.
Please email me at rmillard@allstarfitness.com
Thanks
Rob
I like the campground idea. I also think we need to have some big bike races. There are so many of us who cycle that it should be fairly easy to get something together.
ReplyDeleteWe need stores that will keep the locals here. I have to drive out of town for a lot of the things I use. It would be nice to have a general purpose store like a fred meyer type.
ReplyDeleteJamie
I think the city should look at the permits and stuff ans see if they can make the process easier.
ReplyDeleteGeorge
I think we should do more local events like duvall days. We could have one each season to raise awareness ofthe communitty and get our name out there.
ReplyDeleteMike
Less taxes would be a good place to start. Also less spending on things that are not necessities.
ReplyDeleteTom
Mayor Ibershof has been out of work for quite some time. Perhaps he should start a business in town to set an example.
ReplyDeleteI am not sure about that last comment. I was torn about whether or not to post it but I suppose it could be taken a couple of ways.
ReplyDelete1. An offer to help fund Mayor Ibershof's new buisness (assuming he even wants to start one)
OR
2. an incredibly insensetive thing to say about a mayor who has given so much to the city and is currently unemployed. Or for that matter an incredibly insensitive thing to say about any who has lost a job and is doing all they can to make ends meet while trying to raise a family.
I sincerely hope that the unnamed author of the last comment meant it to fit under option 1.
Thomas, what's with advising Bart to NOT participate in the local government process as is his right as a citizen, when you've always encouraged your readers to attend Council meetings? You almost fell over yourself in your hurry to discourage him. Or maybe the problem is there are too many "Thomas Paines" talking to keep the story straight. What's the deal? Michelle
ReplyDeleteMichelle,
ReplyDeleteApparently I need to work on my comic delivery (thus the auditing comment. Clearly the city can't audit him.)
And as clarification I did not tell him to not attend I said there was no need to attend because his comments were already heard. Several people in town have relayed to me that councilmembers have discussed the blog with them so I was fairly certain they would continue reading this post as well.
Now I would not have pictured you as a conspiracy theorist but between Charley providing pro bono psych evaluations and you telling me I have multiple personality disorder I am begining to wonder what is going on.
The short answer to your question is the comment was meant as a joke. I was attempting to lighten the mood a little.
If it would be helpful I will put a disclaimer on each post when there may be humor inserted so nobody is concerned about my comments.
Thanks for helping to set the record straight and for clarifying the issue for those without a funny bone.
Bart is probably a fake identity the blogger is using to respond to his own questions. Dan
ReplyDeleteCAUTION! JOKE AHEAD!
ReplyDeleteDan,
Is there a group of you who all get together and talk about this kind of thing? There seems to be a theme between Charley, Michelle and You. But no need to be paraniod we are already watching you.
Joking aside, I am very interested in the way things are developing.
So do you have any ideas of how to improve the local economic situation?
Dan,
ReplyDeleteI know Bart and can assure you that he is a real person not a figment of anyone's imagination.
My idea to promote growth would be to add a disc golf course or two. We have McCormick Park where we could put in a course with minimal expense but that would have an immediate influx of people using the course and shopping afterward. We could also get local buisnesses to sponsor a hole as a way to advertise.
The benefit of this idea is that there would be virtually no loss of park space but it would now have a additional use.
Rob
Golf courses are not an economy builder typically, although I do appreciate where you may be coming from. Golf courses often have a psychological association to expendable income and exclusivity which make then particularly attractive to suburbs that desire to bring the appearance of influence and money to their community. However, a thorough look at the outcome of these endeavors over the past 25 years is insightful. Golf courses are more often used to drive up the value of adjoining real estate in a local economy and then sold off for the higher price to another developer who builds over top the course once any covenants or bonds expire. In addition to the many private courses that are bought out by developers and then disbanded, many of the public courses have closed or are considered drains on the parks budgets of those cities.
ReplyDeleteThere are some new courses in nearby communities which will likely be held for the 10-20 year covenant often required, and may be converted to homes at that later time. I doubt that Duvall will be able to compete with that amenity so nearby, regardless.
Perhaps that idea can instead be expanded to something unique that this community offers?
- Politicalinclin
Politicalinclin,
ReplyDeleteI said a disc golf course. Also referred to as Frisbee golf.
This is a rapidly expanding newer sport that is economical and relatively easy to play. You can play with a 99 cent frisbee or you can purchase the "professional discs" for about $10-15 each. It is a great sport to play with kids and as a family. If Duvall were to partner with local businesses we could place several of these courses around town and become a destination for the sport. We could have small tournaments for those who are more serious about the sport and we could also have small 3 hole starter courses placed in some of the smaller parks for those who are new to it.
Rob
Ah, thank you for the clarification. Those groups are fun and can utilize many of the existing parks, it would seem. Sports complexes can be good sources for exposure.
ReplyDelete- Polticalinclin
Yes and the "holes" are only about $175 each. So the cost is relatively low.
ReplyDeleteRob
Dan, I'm not 100% sure who Thomas Paine is in real life, but I can assure you that he and I are two very different people unless I have been suffering from multiple personalities and my family hasn't noticed - perhaps our online shrink can give me an evaluation?
ReplyDeleteI have been a resident of Duvall since roughly September or October of 2000. I have only recently become active in politics because I can't stand to see the levels of hidden agendas, generally irresponsible fiscal management, and bad sportsmanship around elections that I have been seeing lately.
I expect governments to run themselves using the same fiscal responsibility that they would if they were a small business owner, or a homeowner on a budget. When things get tight, decisions have to be made about where to cut back. Going into debt hoping for a windfall later is short-sighted and very dangerous.
I certainly didn't take Thomas's comment that it may not be necessary for me to attend the city meeting as anything more than a suggestion to save me some time if I wanted to get that time back. I have already submitted my ideas about cutting back on parks and niche shops in favor of more long term sustainable stores (Walmart, Fred Meyer, etc) via the FutureDuvall survey that was taken some time ago.
Caution! Joke ahead!
ReplyDeleteBart,
Thank you for helping to show I am not entirely insane and that all these voices are not just in my head.
(only some of them are)
Another joke!
ReplyDeleteThe voices in my head may be imaginary, but they sure have some good ideas!
Back to the topic: Duvall has some great strengths: nature, art, and antiques. If people come here for any of those, they may do business at the other shops and cafes. Those little shops need a hand in stepping it up a bit so that they'll be better than the McDonalds up the hill. But everything from the Used Book Store to Duvall Family Drug to The Grange Cafe has what it takes if there is enough business coming into town.
ReplyDeleteI like Rob and Politic(whatever)'s ideas about using the beautiful natural aspects of our town to draw people here. Our river, the trail, and the area of McCormick Park are a great asset. If we bring kayakers and dogwalkers and nature watchers that would be awesome!
My advice: keep taxes low on the small businesses, encourage more use of what we've already got . . . and then provide MORE PARKING for it. -Carolyn Durant