ABOUT OLYMPIA PARKING AND BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT AREA
Established by the City of Olympia, the Parking and Business Improvement Area (PBIA) has helped enrich the city’s general economic development since 2005.
As a locally funded organization, PBIA focuses on assisting trade, economic viability and livability of the downtown area by constantly working with local businesses and citizens.
PBIA believes in both the entrepreneurial spirit and in the neighborhood’s desire to see Olympia fulfill its potential as a vibrant, unique city where commerce and community mutually coexist.
Information on PBIA Board meetings.
Downtown Olympia is bordered by 7th Avenue to the south, Farmers Market to the north, Plum Street to the east and the 4th Avenue Bridge to the west.
IT’S YOUR OLYMPIA
The character and prosperity of any city is the direct result of the sense of ownership demonstrated by its own citizens. A truly vital urban center is not built by a single group or interest alone, but by the combined dreams and dedication of a diverse population over generations. Created by the people and for the people, Olympia is a shining example of the freedom, ideals and opportunity that we are fortunate enough to share.
Downtown Businesses: It’s Your Olympia.
Your business is the face of our city. You keep the independent spirit of downtown unique and alive. As someone who has literally invested in its future, your story is an integral part of the colorful fabric of Olympia.
Downtown is where commerce and community connect. The diversity of our central business district is what draws people of different tastes, cultures and perspectives. The shops, restaurants and other businesses that bring our city to life are traditional and trendy, elegant and eclectic, and everything in between. But beneath these surface differences lie the things we value in common: the entrepreneurial spirit, freedom of expression and the desire to see our Olympia fulfill its potential and be appreciated for all that it has to offer.
Thurston County Residents and Families: It’s Your Olympia.
We are among the lucky few who have a city that is ours to explore and enjoy, especially one so rich in history, culture and personality. Combining the best qualities of the small town and the big city, Olympia offers an uncommon opportunity for people to feel connected while experiencing the excitement of discovery.
Like anything worthwhile, Olympia has its challenges, but those challenges come with rewards that are hard to duplicate: the experience of meeting and buying from the owner of a business that has been around for a hundred years; running into someone you know – as well as plenty of people you don’t know yet; attending a one-of-a-kind community event; and walking among historic buildings, just to name a few.
History shows that the soul of any downtown area cannot survive without the support of the local population. In some way, every trip you make downtown represents a vital contribution to the local economy, history and events that are a true expression of an engaged community.
While downtown areas across America are becoming shopping malls to survive, Olympia is different. It is different because it belongs to you.
Arts & Entertainment Seekers: It’s Your Olympia.
There’s no place like downtown to satisfy both your senses and your intellect. There is great food, music, art and theater – all right at your fingertips. Olympia is bursting with creative people and exciting events, those that are well-known and those eager to be discovered.
Arts Walk events, film and cultural festivals, the Women’s Arts Forum, one of the nation’s largest farmers markets and over 30 years of Music in the Park are just a few of the opportunities for people to gather and connect – with each other and with the beauty of this place we call home.
Downtown Olympia and the arts share a close, symbiotic relationship. The livelihood of each depends upon the willing patronage of those who appreciate and support what they contribute to society, culture and personal fulfillment.
Public Servants & Social Advocates: It’s Your Olympia.
From state government to grassroots gatherings, Olympia is a focal point for political discourse. As the capital of Washington State, it attracts and accommodates the full spectrum of viewpoints. This makes Olympia a melting pot of new ideas, as well as a lightning rod for criticism. Thanks to the resilience of its citizens, however, it is able to absorb both and become stronger for the experience.
Downtown Olympia was shaped by the collaborative efforts of many pioneering individuals. Today, you are one of those who continue to shape the rare and delicate ecosystem that forms the core of our city. As in any living culture, differences of opinion are natural and healthy – as long as we remember that the goal is not to achieve perfection in the eyes of a few, but to nourish the spirit and sense of belonging we all share.
We can all be proud of the truths that our city represents:
- Because Olympia values the individual, the community flourishes.
- Because Olympia does not try to be all things to all people, it has something for everyone.
- Because Olympia has stayed true to itself over a century and a half of change, its future is indeed bright.
This is your community, your playground and your place. Welcome. It’s Your Olympia.