The Yakima City Council heard the results of a feasibility study for a Public Market / Business Incubator during a study session in August 2015. In addition to researching the feasibility of a Public Market / Business Incubator in our local market, the study identified nine possible locations for the facility in Yakima's downtown district.
This grant application to the Washington State Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) is asking for planning funding to evaluate two real estate options for the final location of this proposed public facility. The evaluation would include reviewing possible layouts and configurations, conceptual drawings and completion of an estimated construction cost for each facility. The Council Economic Development Committee will begin reviewing possible locations at the September 29th Economic Development Committee meeting.
The planning grant maximum award is $50,000 and a local match of 25% is required. This funding is not included in the 2016 City of Yakima budget and will have to be considered as a 2017 Strategic Initiative. The City will be required to make a presentation to the CERB board at its November 17, 2016 meeting in Olympia, at which time the CERB board will make a final decision on this grant request.
The CERB program is an ideal avenue for assisting the City in moving forward on this project. CERB funded a planning grant and additional construction grant to assist Dayton, Washington build a similar project called Blue Mountain Station. |