As 2008 comes to a close, those who know the community well have a few New Year's resolutions in mind to maintain the neighborhood's quality and improve the community.

Looking back at the major stories of the past year, it comes as no surprise that many of the resolutions put forward by members of the community involve development, transportation and the economy.

As buildings come down, go up or stay down around Ballard, the composition of the neighborhood is changing.

Artist Virginia Howlett, who has a studio in Building C in Ballard, said Ballard should resolve in 2009 to put a moratorium on building condos.

"We have enough already," she said.

But the neighborhood should build something in the coming year at the corner of Market Street and 15th Avenue Northwest where the Denny's used to stand because it has become a blighted corner, she said.

Warren Aakervik, owner of Ballard Oil, said Ballard should make a resolution in the coming year to make sure the new development does not force out or compromise the industrial sector, especially the fishing industry, which some consider the backbone of the neighborhood.

It will be important in the coming year to preserve open land for green spaces and parks amidst rapid development as well, said David Folweiler, co-chair of Friends of Ballard Corners Park, and John Burbank, who lost his bid for 36th District representative in November.

Folweiler and Burbank also agreed on the need to expand and improve public transportation in Ballard.

A needed New Year's resolution is to build a transit system that can get people out of their cars and downtown quickly and conveniently and to add a functional route running east and west to that, Burbank said.

Carole d'Inverno, another artist working out of Building C, said on top of improved transportation around the city, possibly in the form of light rail or a streetcar, there should be a convenient way to get people to different areas of Ballard itself.

"That would be the best part, to connect different parts of the neighborhood," she said.

The national economy took a hit in 2008 and it didn't spare Ballard, said Jenny Monroe, owner of the boutique Damsalfly on Ballard Avenue.

"I've heard a lot of sad stories," she said. "A lot of people are struggling."

Michael Jaworski, booker at the Sunset Tavern, said Ballard residents already shop locally, but they need to resolve to become even better at supporting local merchants in 2009.

"It's really simple," he said. "Instead of downloading an album on iTunes, go to Sonic Boom. Instead of buying coffee at the corporate giant, go to Fiore. Instead of buying your groceries from the big chain, head down to the Farmers Market on Sunday."

Ballard needs to especially keep investing in the Farmers Market in the coming year because it is one of best in town, said Charmaine Slaven, rhythm guitarist for the Tallboys, who host a twice-monthly square dance at the Tractor Tavern on Ballard Avenue.

Slaven said Ballard could also resolve to support its local musicians more in 2009. Many new bars and restaurants are not taking advantage of the opportunity to offer live music from local musicians, she said.

"Ballard is full of talented musicians who should have more opportunities to share their art," Slaven said.

This New Year's Eve, community members said it's important that the community not forget its own residents in their resolutions.

"My New Year's wish for Ballard would be that the community re-establish neighborliness as a value for Ballard," 36th District representative Mary Lou Dickerson said.

Ballardites should strive to reach out and meet each other, to plan activities together and to give to local charities, such as the Ballard Food Bank, she said.

Ballard librarian Ellen Fitzgerald said she would like Ballard to resolve to show more goodwill to the less fortunate in the neighborhood in the form of homeless shelters and services and car parks for people forced to live out of their vehicles.

"Wouldn't that be great," she said. "I sound like such an idealist."

Things are certain to keep changing in Ballard, and Eric Nelson, executive director of the Nordic Heritage Museum, and Laura Cooper, vice president of the Ballard Historical Society, said the neighborhood should make a resolution not to lose the history, heritage and uniqueness of Ballard.

"As a historical society, we would love it if people were interested in the uniqueness of their community," Cooper said. "If they would find time to explore the uniqueness of their community."