"Woodinville Weekly": Carnation Takes First Glance At Economic Development

 

Carnation City Hall / photo "Woodinville Weekly"

By Madysen McClain, "Woodinville Weekly," 5/4/22

Residents and city officials in Carnation are brainstorming ways to preserve the city’s small-town feel, while also encouraging economic growth.

Ricardo Noguera, an expert in economic development, was hired by the city as a consultant in April 2022. According to the city, he was brought on board to provide administrative support and guidance for using funds from the American Rescue Plan Act.

For over two decades, Noguera has helped communities with economic development in cities like Tacoma and Los Angeles, Calif.

Noguera visited Carnation in April 2022 for a “fact-finding mission,” he said. He toured the city and spoke to stakeholders such as the Carnation Chamber of Commerce and business leaders. From there, he compiled notes and recommendations for the city to pursue economic development. 

He shared his findings during a council meeting on April 19. Residents and business owners showed overwhelming support to preserve and enhance the small-town character of Carnation, he said.  

He said constituents also want to increase tourism dollars spent in the city by developing an inviting space for visitors to experience local farms, parks, restaurants and shops. 

“You do not want to be Duvall. You do not want to be a bigger city,” he said.

Noguera found that people in Carnation want to recruit diverse businesses along Tolt Avenue in downtown without duplicating existing business types, he said. Residents typically do not want to see commercial chains or franchises, he added. 

Additionally, he said, residents hope for more revenue and jobs that attract “suitable development” for the Schaefer Property, which is owned by the city.

Noguera shared four main tactics Carnation could use to attract and maintain a diverse, thriving economy. He said the city could focus on targeting recruitment for commercial businesses on Tolt Avenue such as veterinarians, dog groomers or bicycle shops.

The tactics include targeting recruitment for commercial businesses on Tolt Avenue, such as a veterinarian, dog groomer or bicycle shop.

"The message that we got quite clear from the group was commercial space is needed," Carnation City Manager Ana Cortez said. "If you have commercial space in Carnation, it will be taken up in no time."

Noguera suggested releasing a request for information to attract development to the city-owned Schaefer Park. The request could help to “maximize revenues and jobs without adversely impacting the city,” he said.

Brenda Zimmer, president of the chamber, said the nonprofit’s efforts to find more brick-and-mortar shops for Carnation fits together with the economic development strategy.

In the past, potential business owners from a bakery and nail salon as well as two pharmacies expressed interest in moving to Carnation. However, she said, the businesses did not end up coming to town.

“There was just no place to put them,” Zimmer said.

Noguera added that two properties could be annexed into the city. He urged council members to reach out to property owners and developers to explore options for a new business park, entertainment area or mixed-use space. 

“Economic development is always about relationships,” Cortez said.

Some properties along Tolt Avenue are “under-utilized,” Noguera said. He encourages the city to reach out to property owners about possibly developing the land or selling it. 

Cortez said city staff will soon work on an updated economic development strategy to present to Carnation City Council.

“We will be working on those principles with some very specific steps that we can take in [2022] and specific steps that we can take in 2023,” she said.

Posted by Bob Yoder, 5/12/2022