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News from Seattle's Office of Economic Development

Six More Space Needles Add To Skyline, Views Will Not Be Tarnished

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Development in South Lake Union has grown quickly, and concerns about maintaining views of the iconic Space Needle have come to the forefront.  In response to these concerns, and to ensure views of the Needle will not be tarnished, local companies have purchased six plots of land around the city in order to build replicas of the landmark in multiple locations.

Amazon, Microsoft, Boeing, and Real Networks, among others, have bought plots in hopes that it will ensure a mutually beneficial living and working environment for all Seattleites. The now seven Space Needles will represent the original seven hills on which Seattle was built.  The new locations will be in six different neighborhoods across the city, celebrating diversity among Seattleites: Wallingford, Capitol Hill, Beacon Hill, First Hill, Magnolia, and West Seattle.

The Office of Economic Development is partnering with these companies to ensure that the rising economy is in sync with the unique urban environment of Seattle.  Steve Johnson, Director of the Office of Economic Development, said at a recent press event that “the future of our city depends upon the delicate balance between developing our economy and nurturing our culture.  We cannot afford to let one slip into the shadow of the other. I believe that the new Space Needles built around our city will bolster a sense of pride in the place we call home.”

Construction of the first of the new Space Needles will start next month.

 

Edit: Happy April Fools’ Day!

How to be lazy, productive, and successful

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HOW TO BE LAZY, PRODUCTIVE, AND SUCCESSFUL
GEEK WIRE
You can be highly productive and very successful – but also lazy. The trick, of course, is to make better use of your time. Work smarter, not harder. If you occasionally feel out of control, are unable to focus or prioritize, lack the work/life balance you want, or notice that you’re often too tactical vs. strategic, these tips are for you. Use these eight best practices together to learn how to work smarter.

GREG SMITH’S BIG PLANS
DAILY JOURNAL OF COMMERCE
Seattle development company Urban Visions is moving ahead on two mixed-use projects: a highrise named West Edge Tower at Second and Pike, and 200 Occidental in Pioneer Square. Of the two projects, Smith thinks it will be easier to get 200 Occidental started. The rich architectural character of Pioneer Square and its proximity to a regional mass transit hub are prized by tech and creative companies as a tool to recruit top talent.

SHARES OF ZILLOW JUMP AS REVENUE MORE THAN DOUBLES
GEEK WIRE
Shares of Zillow rose nearly three percent Wednesday after the Seattle online real estate company posted strong financial results for the fourth quarter and full year 2011. The company – which now describes itself as the “leading real estate information marketplace” – reported revenue of $19.9 million during the fourth quarter, an 108 percent increase over the same period of 2010. That marked the fifth consecutive quarter of more than 100 percent year-over-year top-line growth.

Seattle’s Green Building EVOLUTION

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(From Building Connections Blog)

The City Green Building team takes an exciting new step in 2012. Beginning in January, part of the “green team” will join forces with the Office of Sustainability and Environment (OSE). Staff focused on policy development will become part of OSE, and those focused on green codes and permitting will stay with the Department of Planning and Development (DPD), as part of the Operations Division. As this next step unfolds, both DPD and OSE will continue to develop and implement innovative approaches to building sustainable neighborhoods.

City Green Building’s mission — making green building standard practice — has held fast over ten plus years. The City of Seattle’s legacy as a national leader has fostered local adoption of green building practices, moving beyond the early adopters to the mainstream market. “Seattle’s green building growth has been exponential.  Given the current level of green building expertise and innovation in the private market and in regional organizations we need to continue to evolve our vision and approach,” said Sandra Mallory, Program Manager for City Green Building. “If we are to achieve a climate neutral Seattle, then our green building policies and initiatives need to fit within a broader context.”

The evolution of the green building program naturally led to greater coordination with the Office of Sustainability and Environment, the City’s primary office for urban sustainability policy development. “Over the past years, the green team and OSE have worked closely together on numerous initiatives, including co-leading the Green Building Task Force which in turn led to programs like Community Power Works, Energy Benchmarking and Priority Green permitting. Consolidating our efforts will better align work in overlapping areas and allow the City to expand our work on environmental priorities,” said Jill Simmons, Director of OSE.

Within DPD the green team has worked to support both typical and advanced green building projects through education, incentives and program development. “DPD has been a long-standing advocate for green building from within City government. We have invested in our staff – teaching green building strategies so that our reviewers are ready to help applicants when they come in,” said Diane Sugimura, the Director of the Department of Planning and Development. “We remain committed to removing barriers to green building and encouraging innovative sustainability practices.”

In 2012 DPD will remain focused on growing green permitting, on supporting the Living Building Challenge pilot and on evaluating the International Green Construction Code (IgCC) for potential adoption in Seattle. Planning staff will work closely with OSE to implement land use policies that advance green building.  Green building staff in OSE will be working on implementing the Sustainable Building and Sites policy, development of a city Resource Conservation Plan, and providing ongoing management and support of the energy benchmarking program and the 2030 District.

For more information about these efforts, please visit the following websites.

For more information:

Rebecca Baker
rebecca.baker@seattle.gov
(206) 615-1171

Design for Good

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The American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA), supported by the National Endowment for the Arts, is creating a new initiative that will communicate the social value of designers who contribute to their communities in meaningful ways. The initiative, Design for Good is a broader movement to encourage and enable designers to aid their communities in meaningful ways and to create real change in their neighborhoods; it is also a way to show the value of design to community leaders and fellow citizens.

AIGA’s national director of social engagement, Zago’s Manuel Toscano, said, “It’s a transformation from a singular individual working alone to a community working in groups toward solutions that are not driven by the ego, but by the needs of a community.” GOOD – a collaboration of individuals, businesses, and nonprofits – is involved in the Design for Good program through GOOD Ideas for Cities, a collaboration with CEOs for Cities with support from ArtPlace that matches creative professionals with local civic leaders to address urban challenges.

To learn more about GOOD Ideas for Cities, contact Julia Klaiber.

Business Opportunity: MIC and partners present SODO and Green Light job training opportunities

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King County Work Training YouthSource, South Seattle Community College and the Puget Sound Industrial Excellence Center partner with the MIC to operate a job training and exposure program called “SODO Inc” (Seeking Opportunities, Developing Occupations). The program works with young people who have experienced major challenges succeeding in traditional educational programs.

The program provides them with several weeks of safety training, industry tours and other work orientation experiences, followed by placement in an internship at an industrial work site. Interested businesses can contact us directly at 206-762-2470. Click here for employer incentives.

Certifications Received:

 •Forklift Operation

•Flagging

•OSHA 10

•First Aid/CPR 

In addition, South Seattle Community College and the Puget Sound Industrial Excellence Center partner with the Manufacturing Industrial Council to operate a job training and exposure program funded by the Seattle-King County Workforce Council through US Department of Labor Green Light sources. The program trains adults and veterans that are disadvantaged with no or low income in need of updated training related to Green Manufacturing.

The program is designed to give the students industry-specific training, certifications and internship experience in Green Manufacturing. The training incorporates industrial safety certification, proper hand tool and PPE usage, as well as introduction to a range of specific skills from spray painting to welding techniques integrated into a 360-hour Manufacturing Basics program. Topics and certification are listed below. The training is followed by placement in an internship at an industrial work site for hands-on experience. Interested businesses can contact us directly at 206-762-2470. Click here for employer incentives.

Certifications Received:

•Forklift Operations

•Flagging

•OSHA 10

•First Aid/CPR

•HazMat

 Industry-specific Training:

•Concepts in Manufacturing

•Math for Manufacturing

•Blueprint Reading

•Basic Electrical Theory

•Lean Manufacturing Essentials

For more information please visit:

http://www.micouncil.org/jobtraining.php

Open Position Announcement – Columbia City Business Association Business District Program Manager

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The Columbia City Business Association (CCBA) is seeking a program manager to assist the CCBA in implementing a multi-faceted business district “Action Plan”. The Action Plan consists of some 25 strategies grouped into five topical areas: organization and outreach; business development; safety and cleanliness; marketing and promotion; and pedestrian environment. The opportunity is an 8-month-long contracted position, with the potential of continued work in subsequent years depending on funding and performance. A base contract amount of $40,000 is anticipated, with the potential for an additional performance-based incentive. The program manager will work as an independent contractor.

Minimum qualifications include strong program management skills and knowledge of the multiple aspects of neighborhood business district revitalization. Desired qualifications include a graduate degree in urban or regional planning, public administration, or related field, and leadership experience in community development, business district promotion, neighborhood revitalization, or related work.

Interested individuals should send a letter of interest to mohnrobert@comcast.net with the subject line “Program Manager Info Request”. A full position description, the CCBA organizational statement, and the Action Plan will be sent to you. After reviewing these documents you may send a cover letter, resume, and a minimum of 3 professional references to the above e-mail address with the subject line “Program Manager Position” no later than March 31, 2011. Interviews will be conducted for selected candidates. Anticipated start date is May 1, 2011.

Seattle’s fertile R&D community on display in today’s news

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Seattle biotech firm on verge of a groundbreaking cancer vaccine
Seattle Times
A decision is due this week on Dendreon’s application to bring the country’s first cancer-treatment vaccine to market. Dendreon’s prostate-cancer treatment, called Provenge, mobilizes patients’ own immune systems against their tumors.

Seattle Design Commission seeks ideas for empty or partially developed sites
City of Seattle
The Seattle Design Commission is seeking ideas for Holding Patterns, a program that finds interim uses for stalled project sites. They are seeking concepts to transform the following types of stalled sites: holes in the ground, surface lots, and ongoing construction above or below street level.

Microfabrication laboratory program aids small Wash. companies  
Washington Technology Center
Washington’s Microfabrication Laboratory Access Program provides eligible small companies with short-term, no-cost access to sophisticated and expensive microfabrication equipment critical to advancing specific research and development.

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As a service to the Seattle business community, the Office of Economic Development curates a daily business news blast, Daily Digest. As a new trial feature on Bottom Line, we’re posting a handful of stories from the Daily Digest every day.  Find the stories informative or helpful? Keep checking Bottom Line or sign up for Daily Digest to receive the full version in your inbox every day. Subscribe to the Daily Digest here.