PORT TOWNSEND — On the cusp of heralding a successful 2018, Port Townsend’s Main Street Program is looking forward to new accomplishments in 2019.
The organization’s partnership with the city of Port Townsend will grow in the coming months as the program adds street furniture to the downtown area, maintains 20 new rain gardens and coordinates more than 20 events in the downtown and uptown historic districts, Main Street Executive Director Mari Mullen said in a press release.
The program held its annual membership and awards party Jan. 15 at The Old Whiskey Mill.
Champion
Ted Krysinski of Fyerlite Grip & Lighting was named Main Street Champion after creating a plan last year to enhance lighting at the Main Street Community Treelighting and illuminating the bell tower.
He also created the “Winter Window on Washington Street.”
Board Secretary Wendy Duede said the Main Street program raised $51,000 through an application to the city’s Lodging Tax Advisory Committee to expand winter lighting and decorations for this year.
Krysinski’s input will be instrumental for the 2019 lighting and decorations effort, said Mullen, who was unavailable Monday for comment.
Duede also noted new sponsor opportunities and announced Main Street projects for 2019 at the membership and awards party.
The program will work with partners to adapt merchant information signs into historical interpretive signs.
Highlights of the 2018 program included raising funds from the city and the First Federal Community Foundation to help support the historic district during the $2.7 million Water Street construction project in which cracked pavement was rebuilt and sidewalks widened, among other improvements.
The Port Townsend Main Street Program also hosted the state Main Street Conference in 2018.
It drew 320 participants, including a visit from Gov. Jay Inslee, and an economic return of $139,000 to Port Townsend in three days, Mullen said.
Collaborator
The city of Port Townsend was named Main Street Collaborator of the Year for several efforts, including a $10,000 commitment to bring the conference to Port Townsend during the Water Street project.
The city also contracted with the Main Street Program on a marketing and communications plan during construction “which brought visibility and energy to downtown for six months,” Mullen said.
“This provided a crucial match for an important economic development grant the nonprofit received through First Federal Community Foundation.”
The program also hosted 30 events, including walking tours, Concerts on the Dock, the Uptown Street Fair, Girls’ Night Out, Downtown Trick or Treat and quarterly merchant coffee meetings, Mullen said.
Volunteer
The Main Street Volunteer of the Year award was given to Lorilee Houston, who also won the award for 2017, making her Main Street Program VIP — volunteer in perpetuity.
Her volunteer efforts, which have grown since her retirement, include the Main Street Promotion Committee and the Main Street Winter Lighting Subcommittee. Houston is involved in the planning and implementation of the majority of Main Street’s events.
The program also coordinated $20,000 in regional marketing from the city of Port Townsend through the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee.
Main Street Board Treasurer Jan Carter lauded contributors to the tax incentive program.
The Port Townsend Main Street Program, which has 127 active members, is run through the state Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation.
State Main Street communities can receive contributions through a tax credit incentive program that provides a business and occupation or public utility tax credit for private contributions to eligible downtown organizations.
Donations are eligible for a tax credit worth 75 percent of the contribution.
Businesses must take the credit the year after the donation is made.
The city of Port Townsend is a lead contributor to the tax incentive program, Mullen said.
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Senior Staff Writer Paul Gottlieb can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 55650, or at pgottlieb@peninsuladailynews.com.
