About SDDA
The Seaside Downtown Development Association (SDDA) welcomes you! SDDA is a local non-profit organization (501-c-6) made up of business people, local property owners, public officials, and interested citizens. It is funded by member dues and a portion of the City of Seaside business tax revenue. It has a full-time executive director and an active volunteer board of directors.
SDDA's Mission
The purpose of the Seaside Downtown Dvelopment Association is to enhance the environmental and economic viability of downtown Seaside for the local community and visitors.
Our primary focus is to maintain an attractive and vibrant downtown by working with business managers, property owners, the City of Seaside, the Chamber of Commerce, and other entities.
SDDA's Breakfast Meetings
SDDA meets every Thursday at 8:30 a.m. at the Pig 'N Pancake on Broadway in Downtown Seaside. Beginning the first Thursday after Memorial Day and continuing until the first Thursday after Labor Day, we meet at 8:00 am. Everyone is welcome - you do not need to be a member to attend. Join us to hear speakers on a variety of topics, participate in lively open forum discussions and become acquainted with business people and other members of the community.
SDDA'S Accomplishments
Since its inception in 1993, the Seaside Downtown Development Association has:
Created new partnerships with and helped support several service clubs in the Seaside area
Created the popular Downtown Walking Map - increasing the quantity over the years
Held 2 highly successful Wine Walks each year since 2005, one each in the Spring & Fall
Started the Winter Lighting program, ultimately deciding to keep the lighted starfish up all year
Started the Community Flower Basket Program, each year hanging 67 large, beautiful flower baskets around the downtown area
Created the Winter Coupon Book, increasing its size and popularity
Held weekly informational meetings for members and community patrons
Held Halloween Happenin's each year in October
Created a Shop Local event to help downtown merchants in the slower seasonal months Partnered with other organizations to bring fun, family events to downtown Seaside (See our various events above)
SDDA Beautification Projects
Community Flower Basket Program
Every year, SDDA sponsors the Community Flower Basket program. We ask for local support in providing and maintaining these lovely hanging gardens from late spring through early fall. The cost for an individual container, plus summer maintenance is approximately $350. You can give at any level - all contributors will be recognized in the annual "thank you" ad in the Pelican Post and on a poster in our downtown kiosk. For more information and to find out how you can purchase a flower basket for your own home or as a gift, click on "Flower Baskets" above.
Starfish Lighting Campaign
Everyone agrees that our lighted "Stars of Seaside" add a special glow throughout the downtown area. In 2001, the Seaside Downtown Development Association started a new and exciting concept in winter lighting. SDDA, along with several downtown businesses, invested in the "Stars of Seaside" starfish lights. In 2007, with their increasing popularity, we decided to keep them up year 'round, highlighting our beautiful and unique shops in downtown Seaside.
In a wonderful partnership with the Providence Seaside Hospital Foundation, the SDDA raises funds at the annual Hot Rod Golf Tournament to help towards the campaign of stars.
Thank you, to all the volunteers who help maintain them, the City of Seaside for providing the opportunity, and to the community for enjoying them.
Shouldn't YOU join the fun? Consider contributing towards the maintenance and purchase of additional "Stars". Call us at 503-717-1914 and shine some light of your own! For more information about our starfish lights and other lighting projects, just click on "Downtown Lighting Projects" above.