Commercial Affordability
Seattle's small businesses are integral to the economic fabric of the city, because they are an important source of jobs and make vital contributions to Seattle's unique identity. The current period of rapid economic growth threatens to displace small businesses unless the City takes action to help resolve the problem. In April, Mayor Ed Murray formed a Commercial Affordability Advisory Committee to evaluate the complex issues and recommend solutions in support of commercial affordability. On September 28, Mayor Murray presented the committee's recommendations and shared his commercial affordability action plan.
For details and supporting data, please read the committee's report and related documents:
- Commercial Affordability Advisory Committee Recommendations Summary
- Mayor Ed Murray Commercial Affordability Action Plan
- Interactive Data
- Commercial Affordability Advisory Committee Recommendations Report (low resolution pdf)
- Committee recommendations press release (September 28, 2016)
- Committee launch press release (April 14, 2016)
- Committee members' bios
Advisory Committee
The Advisory Committee is charged with reviewing existing City policies and making recommendations to support affordable commercial spaces so that Seattle remains a competitive marketplace for small neighborhood businesses. The committee is directed to emphasize incentive-based solutions, resulting in affordable opportunities that help retain longtime businesses and encourage entry of new businesses. They will submit their recommendations by the end of September 2016 to the Executive for consideration.
The Advisory Committee represents a diverse range of expertise including neighborhood business owners, developers, real estate professionals, and arts and music businesses.
Committee Members:
Don Blakeney, VP of Advocacy and Economic Development, Downtown Seattle Association
Shanti Breznau, independent
John Chelico, Leasing and Sales Broker, JSH Properties
Dennis Comer, Co-owner, Brown Sugar Baking
Solomon Dubie, Owner, Café Avole
Liz Dunn, Principal, Dunn & Hobbes
Sam Farrazaino, Principal, Equinox Development Unlimited
Mariela Fletcher, Real Estate Broker and Owner, MANILA MANILA Asian Retail Store & Food to Go
Frank Gross, Owner, Thunder Road Guitars
Megan Jasper, CEO, Sub Pop Records
Matt Landers, Public Policy & Communications Manager, Greater Seattle Business Association
Mark Morel, VP Sales & Marketing, Morel Industries
Tam Nguyen, Owner, Tamarind Tree and Long Provincial
Susanna Tran, Commercial Real Estate Broker, West Coast Commercial Realty
Karen True, Director of Business Development, Alliance for Pioneer Square
Maiko Winkler-Chin, Executive Director, SCIDpda
Read more about the committee members.
Committee Timeline Milestones
- April 14, 2016: Announce Commercial Affordability Advisory Committee members
- April 2016: Articulate problem statement and confirm priority issues to evaluate
- May - August 2016: Committee meets
- September 2016: Committee delivers recommendations for the Mayor's consideration