On March 5, Mayor Ed Murray joined neighborhood business district leaders and local business owners in Seattle's Othello business district to announce a $1.8 million investment in 21 neighborhoods as part of the Only in Seattle initiative.

The culmination of more than 18-months of strategic planning and community-building by the Ballard Chamber of Commerce and the Ballard Partnership for Smart Growth has resulted in an award totaling $190,000.

Ballard's Only in Seattle award of $90,000 will be used to:
· Fund a commercial trade area analysis and market study
· Provide transitional support as the Ballard Chamber of Commerce moves toward establishing a Business Improvement Area (BIA)
· Support the Chamber's and the Ballard Partnership's marketing and communications initiatives

“Thriving, walkable business districts are vital to the success of Seattle’s neighborhoods,” said Mayor Ed Murray. “We work with local leaders and business owners on these grants to develop a shared vision that brings more shops and restaurants – and jobs – to neighborhoods throughout the city.”

The additional grant of $100,00 has been awarded to help fund a public restroom for the central Ballard core.

The Ballard Partnership For Smart Growth (BPSG) and the Seattle Department of Transportation’s (SDOT) Public Space Program asked for public feedback in February in order to identify a preferred location and design for a permanent public restroom in Central Ballard.

Mike Stewart, Executive Director or the Ballard Chamber of Commerce, said the funds will cover most of the cost for the restroom, but there are other details that will need to be worked out.

“This grant is fantastic for the project; it gives us a large chunk of the funds we need, but we still need to develop a maintenance plan and that will depend on the feedback we get from the community for what type of restroom will be built."