PROMOTION, PARKING, AND POT WERE ON THE AGENDA OF AUG. 8 WC BUSINESS
DISTRICT MIXER

The August 8 White Center Business District mixer held at the 3.14
Bakery covered a lot of ground in a short time with a strong reminder
about a special day in the community Aug. 20 coming up in two weeks.
Promotion, parking, medical marijuana, way finding signs and and a
bike tune up plus concert were all discussed.

Carrying over from previous meetings Kathi Wheeler of Noise without
Sound Design showed her mockup of a White Center Shopping Guide. The
format includes a list of businesses and a walking map that highlights
business in the area. Suggestions from the crowd (which numbered about
25 people) were to consider making it more pocket sized, to possibly
use a cartoon version of a business map to portray the area in a
friendlier light but there were also opinions voiced that the
community should do more research into what has worked for other
communities.

Others offered that White Center has a certain fear factor to overcome
to get people into the community and patronize businesses. Patrick
Robinson of the West Seattle Herald/White Center News offered his
suggestion for adopting a single promotional day on a regular basis,
specifically "White Center Wednesdays", a promotion centered around
the use of standardized 8.5 x 11 sheet that would contain small ads
from participating merchants, plus an editorial section that would
profile a local business. That format could be used in print as an ad
in the newspaper, printed as a flyer by and for local businesses, and
used as a window poster to build awareness of the promotion.

Next up was Caption Joe Hodgson of the King County Sheriff's office
along with C.S.O Peter Truong. Hodgson talked about the two hour
parking law in White Center but admitted that parking enforcement in a
time of tight budgets was "not the top of the list," for his officers.

People noted that there are people who "live in their cars" parked in
the business district and others noted that owners and employees take
up valuable parking spaces for many hours.

Hodgson urged people to call 911 if they found anyone threatening
public safety but that he does not have the resources to pay daily
attention to the matter.

He spoke about the nature of attempting to enforce the laws regarding
medical marijuana with two businesses like that in the middle of White
Center.

"Frankly it's a grey area," he said referring to the recent passage of
the Washington State law regarding the subject. Hodgson stressed that
his officers are paying close attention and said, "We are watching it
and going in regularly," in reference to the G.A.M.E Collective
marijuana lounge on 16th s.w. Justin Cline asked if there was
something that could be done to police the "medical crack
dispensaries," meaning open drug dealing the White Center business
district, "It's just so obvious," he said. Some in the crowd suggested
emphasis patrols on parking or on other issues might help. For his
part Hodgson acknowledged and understood their concerns and said,

"It's not being ignored but our ability to react has been cut. I wish
I could say more about it." Hodgson responded to a question about the
marijuana businesses and agreed that they have been crime free and
"pretty quiet."

The need for the return of a "Storefront Deputy" in White Center (a
position that was not filled after Officer Jeff Hancock left last
year) was stressed by many in the crowd and specifically by Barbara
Dobkin of the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council. That group
is circulating a petition, noting that other neighborhoods have used
that method, to ask that an officer be assigned to that role. Copies
were passed around and signatures will be collected and turned over to
County Executive Dow Constantine's office.

Hodgson said he would like to improve enforcement on alcohol sales in
the district but explained that it's difficult to enforce.

After the meeting he pointed out that certain Seattle neighborhoods
have established Alcohol Enforcement Emphasis zones which has had the
effect of causing some of those most likely to drink, to end up in
White Center.

Nhan Nguyen of the WCCDA (who led the meeting) mentioned that
volunteers from the Weyerhauser Corporation would be coming through
the business district on August 11 to wash windows for businesses in
the area. More information is available through the WCCDA.

Nguyen then reminded the group about a "very big day for White
Center," August 20 which will feature several community events
starting with a Fundraising Breakfast to help replace the tattered
American flag at Holy Family.

The second event on the 20th will be the Hicks Lake BBQ, a community
wide event during which various community groups will come together to
share their views and enjoy a great meal. Going on all day at area
merchants who sell vegetables will be the White Center Summer Shop
Fresh promotion during which vegetable purchases made at participating
merchants will for every 3 dollars spent be matched by a grant from
King County, essentially giving shoppers a 2 for 1 discount.

There's a limit of course, you must shop in multiple stores to get
more since the $3 is restricted to one store for each purchase.

The final event taking place Aug. 20 is the White Center Artwalk that
evening.

Ellie Weiss rose to speak briefly about "Tunes and Tune-up" coming up
August 24. This event is centered around bikes, is completely free,
and will feature bike tune ups (including flat tire repairs, chain
lube and break repair, and a concert all taking place at Greenbridge
Plaza from 4:00 to 6:00 pm.

Mentioned quickly in closing, but held for the next meeting was the
idea of the installation of Wayfinding signs in the White Center area.