About Us
The Committee for Downtown Yakima (CDY) is a non-profit organization funded by the generous contributions of local businesses with matching funds from the City of Yakima, creating a unique merge between the public and private sectors. The CDY is responsible for the daily management and promotion of downtown and its purpose is to lead and implement the renaissance of downtown Yakima, making it the premier gathering place of Central Washington
Creating the Environment for Investment in Downtown
The proposed work plan for 2007 builds on the 2006 work plan and continues the work in the three crucial elements, economic development, communication and improving the downtown user experience. Each of these elements is crucial to achieving the goal of making Yakima the Premier Gathering Place of Central Washington. The work plan defines specific programs to be implemented within each of the elements.
The main difference between the 2007 work plan and 2006 is the shift of emphasis and priority from communication and improving the user experience to economic development. Also a new area of work was added focusing on developing long term funding sources.
2007 WORK PLAN IN SUMMARY
- Economic Development
- Strategic Development Implementation Plan: Develop consensus and support among public and private stakeholders to implement the plan.
- Retail: Develop programs to support existing Downtown retail. Develop strategic retail implementation plan to attract new retail to Downtown.
- Office: Develop programs to support existing office tenants and attract new office tenants to Downtown. Retain public uses City/County/State in Downtown.
- Residential Core: Facilitate the rehabilitation of upper floors in existing buildings to residential use. Facilitate new dense residential development on existing vacant downtown sites. Work to remove barriers and attract financial resources.
- Residential Neighborhood: Work with City and property owners to focus available resources on improving the downtown neighborhoods. Create a demonstration block and if necessary Downtown Yakima Foundation to act as a non-profit developer.
- Communication: Develop consistent communication on many levels to overcome the negative perception of Downtown and to communicate the positive change, the Renaissance that is occurring in Downtown.
- Improving the User Experience
- Maintenance: Implement a downtown maintenance and beautification program throughout the core of downtown.
- Safety: Develop programs and resources to focus on downtown safety issues. Create a safe environment that will overcome the negative perception and will attract users and businesses back to downtown.
- Parking: Assume responsibility for parking in the downtown core, including management, maintenance and improvements. Establish Downtown Parking Authority and Downtown Parking Enterprise Fund.
- Physical Environment: Create a pedestrian friendly experience that attracts users to gather in downtown and connects the convention center to all the downtown attractions.
- Access: Improve automobile circulation to and within downtown. Increase on street parking options.
- Community Gathering: Facilitate and encourage more community events in Downtown.
- Developing Long Term Funding
- PBIA Renewal and Expansion: Work with the downtown property owners and businesses to develop consensus for renewing and expanding the current Parking and Business Improvement Area.
- State B&O Tax Program: Achieve certification of the Committee for Downtown Yakima and Downtown Yakima as qualified participants in the State Main Street Program B&O tax rebate.
- Grant and Foundation Funding: Explore the possibilities of accessing grants and foundation funding to finance programs.
Board of Directors and Staff
Executive Director: Dan Kelleher
Chair: James Stickel, Yakima Herald Republic
Vice-Chair: Douglas Picatti, Picatti Brothers
Treasurer: John Baule, Yakima Valley Museum
Director of User Experience: Jamie Lee Stickel
Directors:
Jack Cannon, Designs LTD
Barbara Greco, For a Better Tomorrow
Joe Mann, Ron's Coins and Collectibles
Elizabeth M. McGree, JEM Development
Mike McMurray, Yakima Bears Professional Baseball
Craig Rath, Member at Large
Monica Weyhe, Yakima Valley Regional Library
Victor DeLong, Prediletto, Halpin, Scharnikow & Nelson
Mike Morrisette, Greater Yakima Chamber of Commerce
Larry Hull, Megalodon LLC
John Cooper, Yakima Valley Visitors and Convention Bureau
Chris Malland, Yakima Sports Center
Cristobal Guillen, WA Hispanic Chambers of Commerce
Dick Zais, Yakima City Manager (Ex-officio)
Norm Johnson, Yakima City Council (Ex-officio)
Downtown Yakima Foundation
Rick Linneweh, Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital
Joe Morrier, JEM Development
Mike McMurray, Short Season LLC
Al DeAtley, Superior Asphalt
Tom Robbert, Key Bank
Lyle Reis, Key Bank
Justin Noel, Noel Corporation
Mike Shepard, Yakima Herald-Republic
Yakima Valley Museum, Yakima Valley Visitors and Convention Bureau, Yakima Valley Regional Library
