The Admiral business district has been in something of a holding pattern for the last two years as the new Safeway store there was in the process of being rebuilt. The disruption of traffic, parking and changes in businesses have contributed to making it a more difficult place to make a buck.

But that's all changing, and quickly, with a revitalized business association now bringing new energy and commitment to the neighborhood. The area had a business group previously but it's been some time since it essentially disbanded. This new group understands the power of working together for their mutual benefit.

The third and best attended meeting yet of Admiral area business owners was held Monday, Nov. 28 in the Benbow Room of the Heartland Cafe and 18 people gathered to review previous notes and work out how they can best direct their resources and energies.

Among the options discussed for a better organizational structure was the potential to form a Business Improvement Area, as other Seattle neighborhoods have. Columbia City, The International District and the West Seattle Junction (with 270 businesses) all operate under this model that is funded one of two ways; either by an assessment of sales or by assessing property owners. What members pay obviously varies.

A BIA provides an annual budget to fund services and improvements in neighborhood business districts. The funds can be used for services like parking, group marketing, cleanup and maintenance, security, special events, beautification, and professional management. The City contracts with each BIA, and each BIA is governed by a ratepayer's advisory board. The City collects the assessments and reimburses BIA expenses.

A special guest at the meeting which was led by Admiral Neighborhood Association President – Katy Walum, was Susan Melrose, Director of the West Seattle Junction Association who outlined how the BIA works.

After a lot of discussion the group came to understand that a BIA offers a lot of strength and benefits but it's more likely suited to a larger number of businesses who can fund it.

Since budgets and time available for everyone are minimal, the association by default left it to the energies of volunteers in the group who can handle some of the work of marketing, organizing and otherwise administering group efforts.

The assembled businesses did agree to adopt a shortened association identity, just Admiral District and have set up a Facebook page to foster better cross communication and get the message out to the public.

The new association is now embarking on how to best market the area, to increase business traffic, and otherwise enhance the image of the district. They plan to look at the efforts of other neighborhoods in the near future to gather ideas, are developing a new logo, being created by Blue of Royal Blue Tattoo, and are working on group advertising plans which might include (depending on budget) a mixture of online, print, or even cable TV. Nothing is firm yet since they are still gathering data.

The Admiral District will likely see more direct participation in the West Seattle Art Walk which Melrose emphasized was always meant to be for the entirety of West Seattle, though for some the idea of driving between pockets of art was clearly not likely. They agreed that it would be helpful for more businesses to be part of it and artists will now be sought to display their work.

One idea the group liked immediately was an offer made by Admiral Theater operator Dinah Brein who suggested that the free holiday movie the theater shows could be "presented by" the Admiral District. A promotional plan for this effort is now underway.

The new Admiral District business association will grow, if indications from people who wanted to be there but couldn't are taken into consideration. As it does, the public will see how one group of determined business owners take on the challenge of shining a light on their area, even in a difficult business climate.