Laserfiche WebLink
CHAPTER5 <br />Strengthening Commercial Activities and Retail <br />Services <br />Respondents to a 2004 questionnaire about downtown Everett commonly noted <br />that the most important need in downtown was for more shops and restaurants. <br />Additionally, the City will need to replace the older manufacturing, repair and <br />distribution jobs gradually leaving downtown and vicinity with a wider diversity of <br />technical, office and service positions. The primary way to help these sectors to <br />grow in downtown is by elevating downtown's role as a regional destination and <br />by fostering residential neighborhoods, as noted above. Additionally, the City <br />should make sure that land use patterns and development potential fit the needs <br />of prospective commercial activities and focus retail in prescribed area to <br />reinforce a shopping and entertainment district. Requiring commercial uses on <br />the ground floor of new development of Colby, Hewitt, and portions of Rucker <br />and Wetmore will prevent new development from displacing retail uses on those <br />key streets. Upgrading streetscapes is also a proven method of assisting retail <br />performance. The City should continue, as part of its economic development <br />strategy, to promote downtown as a location for new or relocated businesses. <br />42 MAKERS architecture and urban design <br />0509_rpt_draft.doc - 6/29/06 <br />