 |
In just over a year of existence, the Millwood Better for Business group has established a mission that is as much about community as it is about commerce.
The idea was launched in September 2008 by local business and property owners interested in providing feedback on a $1.4 million overhaul of Argonne Road. Many of the original members of the MBB were involved in a series of stakeholder meetings that preceded the start of the project on May 4 of this year.
According to Shirene Young of the Inland Empire Paper Co., it was decided that the group would continue to hold meetings after the work on Argonne was completed. The result has been an organization that is part chamber of commerce, part civic advocacy board.
“It started with just a few business people and residents,” Young said. “When the Argonne project got underway, it was a way to get information out to business owners who may not have been aware of the schedule and how it would impact them.”
The MBB was well represented at City Council meetings throughout the road renovation, providing input on the progress – or lack of it. Members also attended regular updates hosted by Welch/Comer Engineers, the company responsible for site management. About a month into the project, MBB representatives raised concern about certain aspects of the work that didn’t appear to match recommendations from the earlier stakeholder meetings.
One of the issues involved curb extensions intended to slow down traffic and improve pedestrian safety along Argonne, the main north/south corridor through Millwood that dissects the city’s principal business district.
By late June, Millwood Mayor Dan Mork had secured nearly $27,000 in grant money from the state Transportation Improvement Board to finance additional sidewalk improvements. The city would provide approximately the same amount in supplemental funds to round out the project.
The curb extensions would be part of the newly repaved road as would conduits for future period style lighting fixtures – another idea recommended by the MBB to upgrade the look of the downtown area.
Bobbie Beese, a property owner along Argonne and a member of the MBB, said the group’s input made a positive difference in the finished product.
“I think Argonne turned out much better than it would have because of the group,” she said. “It was about making sure concerns were communicated.”
The MBB organized a community celebration on the last Saturday in August to acknowledge the completion of the project. Dozens of businesses took part, both along the corridor and in other areas of town. Over 300 people participated in an inaugural 5K fun run and walk as part of the well-attended festivities.
Mork said the success of the event was just one example of the impact the MBB has had since forming just over a year ago.
“They’ve been a real good influence here,” he said. “I think it’s one of the more positive things that’s happened to Millwood in the last 20 years.”
Mork and other representatives from the city have been in attendance at MBB meetings, held monthly at various sites. Currently, there are around 30 businesses and other organizations on the MBB roll call. The list includes a range of companies, from corporate giants like Bank of America to locally owned businesses such as Rocket Bakery. Nonprofit entities like the West Valley School District and Millwood Presbyterian Church are also represented.
Beese, who has lived in Millwood for the past 37 years, said the MBB will continue to emphasize “what’s good for the city.” The group is now working on a project to install gateway signs complete with Millwood’s new municipal logo.
“I think signs like this will let people know that they are in Millwood,” Beese said. “We’re not part of Spokane Valley or Spokane County.”
Young said the group is working on several future projects, including quarterly events and additional improvements to the Argonne streetscape.
“People have a vision for Millwood,” she said. “We’re interested in being part of the community and championing causes and ideas that are important here. This is a way to promote Millwood and have a unified voice with the City Council.”
|
|
By
Craig Howard
