Downtown employers are invited to join Downtown On the Go (DOTG) on Thurs, March 29, between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to hear more about their Live Downtown program. The event, held at BLRB Architects, 1250 Pacific Ave., Suite 700, is free and open to the public. Attendees will learn about the program and hear from participants and partners through informational booths and a short presentation at 5 p.m. Light refreshments will be served and attendees will have the opportunity to win a free iPad.
Live Downtown, the latest initiative from Downtown On the Go, provides financial incentives to encourage employees to live close to work. DOTG has partnered with HomeStreet Bank, O’Connor and Associates, American Financial Solutions and other businesses to offer discounts on home ownership and rentals for employees. Employees can save up to $6,000 on a new home (depending on loan amount) or up to $2,400 a year on a rental property. The benefit is free to the employer.
DOTG released the program in the spring of 2011 in an effort to improve employees commutes and give them more access to options like biking, walking or using downtown transit and the Link. Live Downtown currently has four downtown employers participating: BLRB Architects, University of Washington Tacoma, SiteCrafting and the Broadway Center for the Performing Arts. Businesses participate for various reasons including recruitment and retention, an opportunity to build residential density and improve downtown Tacoma, to save costs on parking, and to improve the health and wellness of their employees.
“The Broadway Center’s work is all about energizing and leading the renaissance of downtown Tacoma,” says David Fischer, Executive Director, Broadway Center for the Performing Arts, a Live Downtown participating employer. “We think it’s important that our staff have the opportunity to live close to the Theater District. The Live Downtown program is a truly helpful program to make the dream of home ownership and goal of energizing downtown a reality. It’s been remarkably easy and cost-free for us to participate, and we’re thrilled by the good work of this program.”
Employees enjoy decreased transportation costs, increased physical activity through walking, biking or taking transit to work, decreased time spent commuting, and, access to downtown amenities including the new grocery store, arts and entertainment, dining and nightlife. The added benefit for downtown Tacoma is increased residential density, helping to create economic development in downtown Tacoma.
RSVP for the event at (253) 682-1739 or dotg@tacomachamber.org . Take the bus, the Tacoma Link or enter the Pacific Plaza garage via Commerce St. and DOTG will validate your parking.
