Public officials, merchants, and property owners gathered at the Snoqualmie Ridge TPC on Thursday, Feb. 11, for a presentation on the Washington State Main Street Program, designed to support communities interested in downtown revitalization.

Breanne Durham, main street program coordinator at the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation, gave a presentation on the program, describing the program’s focus on efforts to revitalize historic downtown commercial districts across the state.

Durham first explained the four-point approach of the program, design, organization, promotion and economic vitality. Each of the four points were made up of various elements.

“There is no formula to following the main street approach, you as a community will decide which of these things are right for you and what is needed, but keeping an emphasis on these four areas is good for a comprehensive approach,” she said.

Snoqualmie is associated with the program as an affiliate member. Durham noted that the 34 cities in Washington at the more expensive “Community” level received more than $36 million for improving businesses. Investments included storefront and building rehabilitation, lighting, signs, and interior work. Area cities at the community level include Issaquah, Kent, Auburn and Bainbridge Island.

Following her talk, Lizzy Billington, events and economic development consultant for the city, asked Durham how long it would take to see some impact in a community following the methods of the Main Street Program. Durham explained the program takes a few years to implement.

“In the first two years the businesses might not see a lot of impact, but by years three, four and five there should be more,” Durham said. “The first years are about bringing the community together and building the program and funding. Around year four is when you might start seeing some real changes.”

City council member Kathi Prewitt asked Durham if the program can work for cities of various sizes. Durham said it depended on how the program was implemented, for example, with a full-time staff instead of a board of volunteers.

“The towns that don’t work are the ones that try and do it with just a volunteer board because nobody has the time to get things really moving,” Durham said.

On a similar topic, Ron Meyers, co-owner of Corner’s Gift shop, asked how downtown Snoqualmie and the Ridge would be affected by two disparate business plans. Durham said the program focuses on historic districts, but a unified manager and plan would be good for the city.