Press Releases

HDCA Manager Leaving Organization

For Immediate Release, Date: April 8, 2010

 

Chelan, WA -  The first manager for the Historic Downtown Chelan Association, Doug Sandvick, announced at the HDCA board meeting on Tuesday, April 6th, that he will be leaving the organization:

“It is with sadness that I cannot continue as the HDCA Manager at the end of my employment agreement on April 30th, 2010.  I have decided to follow a different career path for the best interest of my family here and in the Midwest. 

The Historic Downtown Chelan Association has reached many milestones during my tenure, and I hope that my efforts have helped both downtown and area businesses succeed during the most difficult of economic times.  I will pray for their continued prosperity and the happiness for each of the business owners, employees, and local residents who I now call my friends. 

I am thankful for the opportunities that I received and the wonderful experiences that I shared with so many of the good people of this area!  I hope that I have added to the special mix that is unique to Chelan.”

Doug  moved from Wisconsin in April of 2008 to accept this newly created position.  He has agreed to stay on after April 30th until the HDCA finds a qualified replacement to continue their important work for downtown Chelan and the entire area. 

Board Member Ray Dobbs reflected, “I am sorry to see Doug leave this organization, but I hope that his unmatched energy and creative ideas will continue to benefit our area if he and his family stay. You always get his “Above & Beyond” best effort, and you don’t even have to ask!  I’ll always remember on a personal day off in late December how he came to the rescue of the downtown Three Wise Men, finding a replacement for one that was vandalized in time for Christmas all the way from Missouri.” 

For more information on the Historic Downtown Chelan Association, please see www.historicchelan.org or contact Barb Wadkins, HDCA President, 509-682-2629.

 

Legislature Saves Washington State Main Street Program

For Immediate Release:  March 4, 2010

Chelan, WA.  By a vote of 45-0 on March 2nd, the Washington State Senate (the House approved earlier 91 – 7) approved SHB 2704, which allows the Washington State Main Street Program to move from the Department of Commerce—where it was slated for elimination in the current state budget—to the Department of Archeology and Historic Preservation.  This is great news to the members and volunteers of the Historic Downtown Chelan Association (HDCA), and those who appreciate our economic development, historic preservation, and beautification efforts for downtown Chelan.

HDCA Board President, Barb Wadkins, expressed her gratitude to local legislators: “Senator Linda Evans-Parlette and Representative Mike Armstrong were extremely supportive of our efforts to save this program.  They have seen the improvements in the downtowns in their district that work with the State Main Street Program.  They also knew that cutting this program would hurt our local businesses and the state economy in the long-term.“

Although the HDCA does not receive any direct funding from the State Main Street program, the technical support of their staff for nearly 20 years has been crucial to efforts in Chelan and in dozens of communities across Washington state that desperately needed revitalization in their downtown districts.  Using the National Main Street 4-Point Approach (Promotion, Design, Economic Restructuring & Organization), historic downtown districts such as Chelan’s have survived and are thriving despite the many challenges that face small businesses. Since 1991, this program has helped local communities across Washington to create 11,810 jobs in 3,721 new and expanded businesses, and leveraged private investment of $413 million. Every $1 of taxpayer money invested in the program by the State of Washington has leveraged an average of $96 in private investment.  No other government economic development program comes close to those astonishing results!

With this good news, the Historic Downtown Chelan Association will ramp up its efforts to work with local businesses who want to take advantage of the Main Street Tax Credit Incentive Program. In 2009, over a dozen area businesses applied for and received this B&O tax credit for 2010.  In short, for every dollar you donate to the HDCA in a current year (limits apply),  you will receive a 75% credit on that amount for your next year’s B&O payments—plus you can deduct the full amount on your federal return because the HDCA is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit.  Chelan Mayor Bob Goedde went from business to business last fall with HDCA board member, Terrie Holm-Nielsen, because they realize the additional value of this tax credit program.  The money that a business donates (Terrie’s Columbia Furniture was one) to the HDCA never goes to Olympia.  It stays right here to help improve Chelan today!  For more details on this program and what the HDCA does for our community, please see the HDCA web site HistoricChelan.org or call their office at (509) 682-4322.

Area Businesses Re-Investing in Chelan

 

For Immediate Release: December 24, 2009

 

 

Chelan, WA – The Historic Downtown Chelan Association ((HDCA) recently has received generous donations from local businesses through the State of Washington’s Main Street Tax Credit Incentive Program, which allows a business make donations directly to designated downtown revitalization programs such as the HDCA.  The business then receives a 75% credit on their B&O taxes through the Department of Revenue for the next calendar year.

 

The HDCA wishes to thank the following businesses for their 2009 donations: Bear Foods Natural Market & Café, Campbell’s Resort, Columbia Furniture, Culinary Apple, Lake Chelan Sports, Main Street Gallery, North Cascades National Bank, Raycom Radio Shack, Spirals, The Variety Store and other businesses that are in the process of making this contribution (their deadline for 2009 is December 31st).

 

After the city council unanimously approved continued support for the HDCA, City of Chelan Mayor Bob Goedde began encouraging local businesses to take advantage of this state program and reinvest their hard earned B&O taxes in Chelan: “Every business should be keeping our money local.” During walking visits to area businesses over the last week, the mayor and HDCA Board Member, Terrie Holm-Nielsen,  are explaining to area businesses that this program gives them the choice to tell the state where they want their B&O tax dollars spent—right here in their own city!

 

The Historic Downtown Chelan Association is 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization whose purpose is to

 “develop and promote the historic downtown core of Chelan by creating an inviting and economically vibrant community center while emphasizing enhancement and preservation of the town's historic features.”

 

Area businesses still have time go through the easy steps on the Washington State Department of Revenue site and make their contributions to the “Historic Downtown Chelan Association” (one of numerous downtown programs they can choose from) by December 31, 2009--the deadline to get B&O credits for 2010.  For more information on how you can donate to this effort that benefits your downtown and entire city of Chelan, please see the “Main St. Tax Credit” page on the HDCA web site: http://www.historicchelan.org/index.php?page_id=242  On that page are links to state web sites that have FAQs and overviews of this easy process. We encourage you to also call Ray Dobbs (670-0423), Barb Wadkins (682-2629) or the HDCA office (682-4322) prior to filing for this credit if you have any questions.   

 

Scarecrows Picked as best in Historic Downtown Chelan

 

For Immediate Release: October 16, 2009 

 

Chelan, WA – The results are in for the Annual Historic Downtown Chelan Scarecrow Contest.   It was a clean sweep for first, second and third by the Chelan Valley Independent School.

First Place $75 Prize: “Mutant Monkey” by the 2nd – 5th Graders.  2nd Place $50 Prize: “Pterodactyl Robot” by their K – 1st Graders.  3rd Place $25 Prize: “Oompa Loompa” by the CVIS Middle School students.  

 

The downtown was filled once again this year with a variety of scarecrows, from the gruesome to the gorgeous, and all garnered numerous votes and praise from our appreciative merchants and customers. The scarecrows went on display and voting began during the HDCA’s monthly First Friday celebration on October 2nd.  That night the downtown also began to glow pink for the entire month of October “Breast Cancer Awareness Month” with pink lights on the Woodin Ave. Bridge, Pink Stars, and the first ever designed of its kind “lighted”  Pink Breast Cancer Ribbon (on display outside The Vogue 117 E. Woodin Ave.).  These “Ribbons of Hope” can be sponsored for $300, which includes a plaque in honor or memory of a loved one or friend who has had this devastating disease.  See www.historicchelan.org for sponsor forms and more information.

 

The scarecrows will be on display until Halloween night, when families are invited to come for our Downtown Chelan Trick or Treating from 5 – 7 PM.  The Eagles Club will also have a Haunted House that night to scare even a scarecrow!

 

For Immediate Release: August 8, 2009 

Winner Drawn in HDCA Jet Ski Raffle Fundraiser

 

Chelan, WA – The Historic Downtown Chelan Association (HDCA) is excited to announce that Mr. Tom Burnett is the winner of the Sea-Doo GTI 130 HP jet ski!  Tom is a 1980 graduate of Pateros High School and is currently living in Mount Vernon, WA. 

 

After a few voicemails, HDCA Manager, Doug Sandvick, was able to talk to Tom Burnett and give him the details of his prize the following morning.  Tom was in Sacramento, CA to walk his youngest sister down the aisle at her wedding.  The HDCA has teamed up with the ceremony of marriage to make it an exciting weekend for the entire Burnett family.  Tom happily confessed that his family is like most, “My jet ski will be our family jet ski.”

 

The Sea-Doo was obtained at a reduced price from Wenatchee Honda back in January and has been on the fundraising trail ever since.  Evans Marine has housed the Jet Ski and TLC Marine recently fixed a faulty trailer light.  All were thanked prior to the drawing along with local media who helped to promote the fundraiser, the stores who participated in selling tickets, and dozens of volunteers who sat with the jet ski over the last 6 months in freezing and sweltering temperatures.

 

Mr. Burnett bought the winning ticket while visiting family at the Pateros Apple Pie Jamboree on Saturday, July 18th, from HDCA volunteers Peter & Rhonda Vaglio. Doug Sandvick commented, “We almost did not bring the Jet Ski to that event, but Peter and Rhonda volunteered to drive up to Pateros and sit with the jet ski all afternoon on one of those windy 100 degree days.” Strange twists of fate always enter into stories of chance. 

 

The winning raffle entry was drawn by one of our local firefighters, John Goyne, at 8 PM on Friday, August 7th, in the midst of a large and anxious crowd during the HDCA’s very popular First Friday monthly celebration (www.historicchelan.org).  The August First Friday theme was “Hot Time in the Old Town Tonight”, derived from the old song about the Chicago fire.  Doug Sandvick said, “It became an obvious choice that one of our local firefighters should draw the winning ticket in light of all their hard work and heroism.”  It was originally planned for Smokey the Bear or Sparky the Fire Dog to turn the metal big drum with all tickets, but both were called away with fire fighting duties.  The honor instead went to a young girl and boy (Sarah & Mitchell) who did the final mixing of the tickets before John drew Tom Burnett’s name.  Tom will pick up his prize on Saturday, August 15th, and then be a guest at the Chelan Rotary Salmon Barbeque in Riverwalk Park from 4 – 8 PM. 

 

Severe Funding Cuts Proposed for WA Main Street Program

 

For Immediate Release:  March 17, 2009

 

Proposed State budget cuts could be devastating to Main Street businesses throughout the state by cutting funding for the Washington Main Street program by nearly 70%.  The current budget proposal includes a 60% staff reduction and cuts $366.000 from the program’s $480,000 biennial budget.  The Washington State Main Street Program (WSMSP) serves more than 80 small towns and urban business districts across the state, guiding local leaders through a step-by-step process of revitalizing the heart of each community. The proposed budget will gut the 2.5 person office in Olympia, leaving only the program manager and eliminate funding for technical and field services support.

 

The State’s Main Street Program is a low cost program with a Biennial budget of $480,000 and just 2.5 Full time employees that generates an extremely high return on the State’s investment.  As an economic stimulus, the Main Street Four Point Approach® have proven to be one of the most cost efficient economic development programs at work in the state.   Since forming in 1984, the Washington State Main Street Program (WSMSP) has overseen creation of 11,390 jobs, 3,534 new and expanded businesses, and investment of $388 million in commercial infrastructure. For every $328 invested by the State, the Washington Main Street Program has created one new job. Every $1 invested in the program has leveraged $115 in private investment.

 

Since Bainbridge Island became a Main Street community in 1998, the Main Street program has helped to create 160 new businesses, 665 new jobs, and over $18 million in private reinvestment downtown.  According to Terri Bryant, Board President of the Bainbridge Island Downtown Association and owner of Dana's Showhouse, “There is no other organization in the State providing this kind of specialized assistance, expertise, and guidance to help Washington's communities breathe life back into their downtown business districts. In these challenging economic times, now is not the time to reduce support to local downtown revitalization groups.” 

 

Local Main Street organizations also carry out public space improvements and public events supported by thousands of volunteer hours and thousands of dollars in in-kind contributions every year. According to Dave Eatwell, Executive Director of the Puyallup Main Street Association, “The sum total value to the State of Washington that flows from the work of the WSMSP staff is not possible to estimate.”

 

The Port Townsend Main Street Program was one of five pilot programs in the State of Washington and began in 1985.  Since 1988, the local program has loaned $336,350 through a Main Street Loan program in support of restoration and renovation projects in Port Townsend’s historic districts.

 

Susan Windle, Board President for the Port Townsend Main Street program sees the rewards of the Main Street program on a personal level as well.  “I own and manage a retail business here which my husband and I opened in 1996.   We chose Port Townsend because of the high-energy we felt when visiting, and moved our business from Seattle.   I volunteer with this organization because I believe the work we do strengthens the prosperity of our town while retaining our small town quality of life.”  Windle cites the support of the Washington Main Street Program as an integral part of the local program’s success.  “The support of the Washington State Main Street Program has been invaluable to keep us strong and vital during these difficult times.   Now, more than ever, we need the support for our small towns to help them get through these challenging economic times.” 

 

The Washington State Main Street Program provides the guidance, information, materials, and support that communities need to revitalize the economy, appearance, and image of their downtown commercial districts. The key to the program’s success is the Main Street Four Point Approach® applied by knowledgeable and committed WSMSP staff. A program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the National Trust Main Street Center has developed and promoted a commercial revitalization philosophy that draws on a community’s unique heritage and character. Nurturing local resources and initiative, the State Program leads community leaders to develop and implement their own plans to revitalize the heart of their own community — the downtown. This approach comprises four fields of focus:

 

·         Design enhances the unique visual qualities of downtown by addressing elements that create an appealing physical environment.

·         Economic Restructuring strengthens downtown’s existing economic assets while finding ways to fully develop its market potential.

·         Promotion creates excitement. It reinforces and markets a positive image to customers, potential investors, new businesses, local citizens, and visitors based on the unique attributes of a downtown district.

·         Organization builds consensus and cooperation between the many individuals and groups who have a role in the revitalization process.

For downtown’s small business owners, the evidence is clear.  The Washington Main Street Program works and Main Street is good for business.  “During the steady downturn of the economy our store, Victoria Sells has seen a steady increase in sales” noted store owner Sandy Hackbarth.  “We attribute a portion of our success to the support of our Puyallup Main Street Association. Our Downtown is very fortunate to have a Main Street Association in Puyallup.”

Currently, the Washington State Main Street Program staff is made up of one Downtown Program Manager, one Downtown Program Coordinator, and a half-time Downtown Administrative Assistant. The governor’s current proposed budget for 2009-2011 would cut staff to just the Downtown Program Manager. The Washington State Main Street Program currently provides services to, eleven Certified Main Street®™ communities, for Start up level Main Street Communities, and more than 70 other communities participating in the tiered system.   

As a relatively young program, the Ellensburg Downtown Association worked for 4 years to become a certified Main Street program in 2007 and credits their success to the strong capacity building support of the state program.  “We had a net increase of 13 new businesses in our downtown in 2008 and despite the economy we’re holding ground with four new businesses and two expansions to date in 2009.”  According to association Director President Mary Young-Ness “We can understand the need to trim budgets but cutting 70 percent of the budget for an economic development program that’s demonstrated this level of success, just doesn’t make sense when we’re talking about the need for economic development.”

More information on the Washington State Main Street Program can be found at www.downtown.wa.gov or by contacting any of the 11 certified Main Street programs either online or by phone.

 

  •  Bainbridge Island Downtown Association
  •  Historic Downtown Chelan Association
  •  Ellensburg Downtown Association
  • Historic Downtown Kennewick Partnership
  • Port Angeles Downtown Association
  • Mount Vernon Downtown Association
  • Olympia Downtown Association
  • Port Townsend Main Street Program
  • Puyallup Main Street Association
  • Downtown Walla Walla Foundation
  • Wenatchee Downtown Association

For more information about the National Trust Main Street Center, please visit www.mainstreet.org  

 Spring Fling Flower Fundraiser Featuring the J-Byrds

For Immediate Rlease: March 5, 2009

 

Chelan, WA – The Historic Downtown Chelan Association is excited to host the “Spring Fling” Dance, featuring the music of the popular J-Byrds band, at Campbell’s Resort on Saturday, March 14th, at 8:00 PM.   $20 tickets are a donation that will help the HDCA to continue and enhance their downtown flower beautification efforts, which include the purchase of hanging flower baskets.

 

The weather still may be a bit chilly outside, but the dance floor will be hot as a greenhouse! Dance organizers encourage you to get in the spirit of spring by wearing your favorite floral shirt or dress to the dance.  A cash bar will be available for the purchase of refreshments.

 

You can purchase your tickets at Willow (119 E. Woodin Ave.) or the Lake Chelan Chamber of Commerce/Visitor Center.  Any remaining tickets will be available at the door that Saturday night. In addition to having fun dancing for flowers, you can make additional tax deductible donations to our downtown beautification efforts or sponsor an entire flower basket for $75.  We hope you’ll join us to help create a beautiful downtown that all of our community and visitors can enjoy.

 

Generous Donations Made to the Historic Downtown Chelan Food Bank Trot 

For Immediate Release: January 6, 2009

The theme for the January First Friday in Historic Downtown Chelan on January 2nd was The Annual Downtown Food Bank Trot.  On a bitterly cold night, numerous people came downtown to visit stores that were open until 9 am and make a donation to the Chelan Food Bank.  Most stores were offering special drawings that night for people who made donations.

HDCA Manager, Doug Sandvick, his wife Mary, daughter Katy, and family friend, Analise Simpson, collected food and cash donations at 210 E. Woodin, a building owned by Kim & Robyn Skaar.  The Skaars are allowing the food bank to store food at this location downtown.

At the end of the night, over $350 and numerous non-perishable food items were donated by local citizens and our guests.  The HDCA Merchants added a check in the amount of $50. One couple staying at a condo in Manson heard the plea for food contributions on the radio that morning and bought an entire bag of baby food to donate.  Additional donations are always needed, so please contact Pastor Paul Palumbo at the Lke Chelan Lutheran Church on Nixon to contribute or volunteer.

Historic Downtown Chelan Shoppers Pick Quilt Walk Winners,

For Immediate Release:  November 10, 2008

First Place: Beth Gamelin #10 - Shirt Shop front window

Second Place: Karen Feek #13 - Aston's Gifts front west window

Third Place: Sandy Sandum #24 - Columbia Furniture (inside table);

Fourth Place: Rhonda Vaglio #41 - Columbia Furniture front east window

Historic Downtown Chelan Association

Announces 2008 Scarecrow Winners

 

For Immediate Rlease: October 16, 2008

 

After nearly two weeks of spirited balloting, the voters have decided the winners of the 2008 Historic Downtown Chelan Association Scarecrow Contest. 

 

1st Prize ($75): “Corpse Bride” Heartfelt Fitness

2nd Prize ($50): “M&M Mamba” Chelan Valley Independent School (K-2nd)

3rd Prize ($25): “Guitar Hero Rock Star” Chelan Valley Independent School (3rd-5th)

 

 “Corpse Bride” was a landslide winner with nearly double the votes of 2nd Place. 

 

The 2nd Place entry “M&M Mamba” made a miraculous showing due to the fact that it was abducted nearly a week ago.  It is our hope that the culprits will show some remorse and return “M&M Mamba” to the school and turn their celebration into a reunion party. 

 

In a heated battle for 3rd Place, “Guitar Hero Rock Star” narrowly out stretched “Falling Crow”, the entry from the Lake Chelan Chamber of Commerce. 

 

All of the scarecrows were well done and provided immense viewing entertainment to our downtown employees, tourists, and local shoppers.

 

For pictures of all of the 2008 scarecrows, please check out the HDCA web site: www.HistoricChelan.org.

 

Nearly 20 scarecrows first went on exhibit throughout the downtown as part of the HDCA’s monthly First Friday promotion on October 3rd.  The October activities included the annual scarecrow contest and numerous apple related contests with prizes generously donated by Chelan Fruit. 

 

Winners of the “Scarecrow and Apple” coloring contest are currently on display until October 24th in the windows of the following businesses: Fashion for Twelve, Riverwalk Books, Lake Chelan Sports, Swim World, Whaley’s General Store, Main Street Gallery, First American Title Insurance, Columbia Furniture, and the Lake Chelan Historical Society Museum.

 

In the spirit of this election year, The HDCA will conduct another “Voter’s Choice” contest as part of the November 7th First Friday “Cozy Quilt Walk.”  Beautiful handmade quilts will be on display in various downtown businesses from November 3rd – 14th.  Voting for your favorite quilts will held on November 7th from 6 – 9 PM only.  Further details also on www.HistoricChelan.org.                                              

Main Street Resource Team to Visit Downtown Chelan  

 

For Immediate Release: August 21, 2008

 

Three-day visit includes a reception at the Ruby Theatre, tours, interviews, work sessions, and a public presentation at St. Andrew’s Hall for all the citizens of the Lake Chelan area.

 

Chelan, WA  – The Historic Downtown Chelan Association (HDCA) is pleased to announce that Main Street™ revitalization experts from across the state and country will be coming to Chelan, September 9 – 11, for what the Washington State Main Street Program calls a “Resource Team” visit.

 

The purpose of the Resource Team is to examine current downtown revitalization efforts, address emerging issues and opportunities, and suggest ways to make the overall effort more effective.  Along with other information, the Team's report will help guide downtown revitalization efforts through the first 12 to 18 months of the program’s designation and beyond.  The Resource Team visit is one of the services provided by the Washington State Main Street Program (WSMSP) to newly designated Main Street™ programs such as Chelan.

 

Resource Team members include WSMSP staff and other specialists chosen specifically for the community’s needs in economic restructuring, design, promotion, and organization.  Team members do a significant amount of background research before the visit begins and come prepared to make use of every minute while on-site.

 

The public is invited to meet and talk with Team members at a reception in the Ruby Theatre lobby on September 9 at 5:30 PM.  Day two will consist of scheduled interviews at the Riverwalk Inn with HDCA committee volunteers, community organizations, media, elected officials, and others involved with downtown initiatives. 

 

On September 11, there will be a public presentation of the Resource Team’s initial findings and recommendations at St. Andrew’s Hall starting at 5:30 PM. We chose this historic downtown location to accommodate what we hope will be a large crowd of citizens from across the area who care about the past, present, and future of their historic downtown Chelan. This is a unique opportunity for everyone to find out what’s been going on with your historic downtown, what can be done to enhance those efforts, and the many ways you can help.  Check out www.HistoricChelan.org for more details.    

 

The Washington State Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development (CTED) selected Chelan last month as one of 11 programs at the Main Street™ designation level in their Downtown Revitalization Tier System Network (www.downtown.wa.gov). 

Chelan Delights in Main Street™ Level Designation

 

For Immediate Release: July 18, 2008

 

First, the Historic Downtown Chelan Association (HDCA) wants to extend its heartfelt congratulations to the communities of Olympia and Mount Vernon!  We are now part of a select group of Washington downtown organizations (11 in all) working with the National Main Street Center’s Four-Point Approach (http://www.mainstreet.org) with the common goal to make our downtowns throughout our state and nation a more enjoyable place to visit, live, shop, and maintain a vibrant business.&nbs