Downtown creative district

Imagine strolling through a downtown creative district in Shelton where you can browse galleries, attend concerts, dine at a restaurant on well-lit streets made friendly for pedestrians and bicyclists.

The Shelton City Council discussed creating such a district at a work study session June 11 at the Shelton Civic Center.

Jae Hill, the city's community and economic development director, said the city's Downtown Visioning Plan in 2025 envisioned an arts district on Cota Street, but not much has happened since then. Hill said the concept was one of the reasons that drew him to his job.

Hill said the city didn't have money toward creating such a district, "but I took off and ran with it anyway and a couple very serendipitous things happened along the way."

At an economic development expo last year, Hill attended a seminar on Washington Creative Districts. Towns that want to celebrate art and artisans, and draw tourists and locals, can apply for Washington State Arts Commission certification for a creative district. The certification comes with a $10,000 startup operating grant and up to $50,000 in capital project funding for small-scale projects, technical assistance, training and networking,

And then two weeks ago, Hill attended the Washington State Arts Commission annual convention in Chewelah, a town of 2,600 people in Stevens County that earned its creative district designation.

"They have their gallery walk, their farmers market, concerts in the park, they had a really incredible performing arts center they built," Hill said. The town doesn't have a lot of money, and "they had to squeeze out every drop to make it work," he said.

The benefits of a creative district with help from the Washington State Arts Commission include promoting the community's creative identity, growing jobs in the private sector, increasing tourism, attracting artists, start-ups and creative businesses, and creating opportunities for affordable housing that might make spaces for artists, Hill said,

"They want people to live in that community as well," he said.

The district's boundaries would be Grove Street on the south, Front Street on the west, Franklin Street on the north and Eighth Street on the east.

The city has already gathered together a team to work on applying for the designation, with applications being accepted after July 1, Hill said. The team includes downtown business owners, art community leaders, event organizers and community advocates. They are developing a plan for the district

Those leaders met for a design charette April 1 at the new arts gallery, Marmo Caffe & Gallery, on Cota Street. The design concepts produced at that gathering include adding lights and trees, asphalt art, bike parking, stormwater and seating islands, and changing the street parking to provide "traffic calming."

Everyone can get a taste of the concept at the Shelton Arts Walk from 4 to 10 p.m. July 27. Cota, Second and Third streets will be closed for the event, which will include up to 80 vendor booths, live music and the participation of more than 20 businesses.

Before the event, the city plans to make some temporary improvements, including adding planter boxes, a few trees, street restriping and improved street lighting.

Deputy Mayor Sharon Schirman mentioned that she owns a store, PNW ISH, that would be part of the district.

"I love all of it," she said of the proposal, adding, "I feel like we're missing out on utilizing the alleys." Schirman mentioned that Ballard blocks off some alleys on weekends for a farmers market and other events.

Hill mentioned the fine paintings on the alley walls. "We'll find ways to activate that in the future, for sure," he said.