Beth Miller is currently in her 12th year as the Executive Director of the Ballard Chamber of Commerce, and has seen many changes in Ballard during that time.
The number of residents and high rises have tripled, the economy tanked, commerce has changed, and what was once a quiet, independent neighborhood has become a trendy nightlife destination.
Having been in the midst of it all, Miller says she remains hopeful about Ballard's future.
"A lot of people feel Ballard has changed so much, and that it's not the Ballard it once was," Miller said. "Yes, it has grown. Yes, it's getting more dense. But if we nurture that soul and community Ballard has, then it can still be the place we love. There is still that independent spirit and desire to make sure that where we live and work remains a great place."
Raised in Richmond Beach, Miller visited Ballard often growing up, and eventually settled down in East Ballard in 1994.
She quickly got involved in the community, doing some neighborhood planning and organizing a summer festival.
"[The experiences] made me a more knowledgeable community participant," she said.
While serving in the Ballard Chamber of Commerce may seem like a natural progression for an active community member with a background in business and communications, for Miller it wasn't.
"It wasn't exactly the career path I thought I'd be taking," she said, explaining that she had actually returned to school for a second degree in architecture and urban design. "But my husband was very ill and I needed a job. With the contacts I had established, I hit the ground running."
And she hasn't stopped since. Miller and her colleague Sue Allegra are some of the busiest women in Ballard, going far and beyond serving the Chamber's membership, and organizing major events like Seafood Fest, BURP, and the annual sidewalk sale.
"This Chamber has always felt that we need to look at the bigger model and play an active role in the community as a whole," Miller said. "Our chamber has no affiliation to the Seattle Chamber or the government. We are really our own non-profit and have the ability to take initiative."
"People don't realize how much we work and in some regards that is my own doing. I like things done my way but I'm learning to let go a little. If you've ever read The Tipping Point, I'm the connector," Miller added.
But she still loves her job, and said one of the best perks is working in the community she lives in.
“I really like the whole notion of an urban village and I get to live that idea everyday. I personally struggle with the idea of Ballard as a destination," she said. "I understand that retail has changed but I love being in a place where you can get what you need for everyday life in the community you live in. I understand that [shopping locally] is not the retail trend but it's healthier for you and has great advantages to it. I still want a local bookstore and bakery, and have personal relationships with the business owners."
Miller said that while the many new mixed-use developments with retail on the ground floor and residential units above are intended to promote a walkable neighborhood, this plan hasn't been successful yet in Ballard.
"You need substance, I think. Developers need to go to commercial realtors in Ballard to see what kind of space retailers want," Miller explained. "The beauty of Ballard Avenue is that the spaces were small and welcoming for start-up businesses. Small businesses don't want those big spaces and there is not enough parking for big retailers to be interested either. As much as people demote it, the lack of parking has prevented us from getting big box stores like Gap or Old Navy."
As retail struggles, and restaurants line up to open in Ballard, the Chamber of Commerce --much like Ballard itself -- is in the middle of a re-identification process, exploring the questions "who are we?" and "how can we best serve our membership?".
One of the ideas that has come forth is the formation of a Businesses Improvement Area (BIA), which recently received a grant from Mayor Mike McGinn's Seattle Jobs Plan.
A BIA exists to provide additional services for an area, and is funded through a tax levied by the city on all businesses falling within chartered boundaries.
Common uses include creating parking, neighborhood cleanup and beautification, special event planning, and marketing the neighborhood. Other Seattle neighborhoods with active BIAs include the West Seattle Junction, the International District, Broadway, and Pioneer Square.
"We tried to do this back in the late 1990's but it was too early. We weren't there yet and the city didn't have as much experience with BIAs at the time," said Miller, adding that a BIA could fund many things the Chamber has struggled to do such as holiday lighting, beautification projects, and street cleaning.
"The issue we've had is that only some people paid into these projects and everyone benefitted. The beauty of the BIA is that it's equitable," Miller said. "And as a business, it's something you account for in your budget."
According to Miller, another benefit of the BIAs in Seattle is that BIA dollars are 100 percent matchable through a neighborhood grant.
Personally, Miller said she'd like to see BIA funds be used for security, events, and promotion.
"We need to promote Ballard as a shopping area," Miller said, proposing events such as small concerts in the park, evening shopping, and holiday decor.
"Ballard is a really unique and special community with a lot of connectivity. I'd like to see people continue to feel part of the community in which they shop and do business," Miller said. "Some of this construction upheaval should settle [in the next five years], and maybe retail will pick up as density gets higher and the economy picks up. We need to support the stores we have. Make a commitment to these businesses and support your local bookstore instead of getting the cheapest prize on Amazon. If we bemoan that we want places to shop, we have to realize that there's a value in things that doesn't have a dollar amount."
