National Main Street

Four-Point Refresh
Transformation Strategy 1: Walkable Community
Vision Statement for a Walkable Community: By 2025, the design of
downtown Selah favors pedestrian activity. Streets and sidewalks are safe for
walking, lined with greenery and attractive storefronts; traffic speeds are slow
and vehicles share the road equally with pedestrians and cyclists; and the
culture of downtown cultivates the creative use of public space for art, music
and community interaction.

Transformation Strategy 2: Entrepreneurial Community

Vision Statement for an Entrepreneurial Community: By 2025, economic
activity in downtown Selah is flourishing, and the community strives to
cultivate the entrepreneurial spirit through education and support of local
business owners. Available commercial space is filled with retail businesses
that are locally owned and operated, restaurants and eateries, and shops and
galleries that showcase local culture and creativity.

Transformation Strategy:
Vision Statement

Goal

Organization

Goal

Goal

Promotions

Design

Economic
Vitality

Transformation Strategy #1
Walkable Community
Vision Statement
By 2025, the design of downtown Selah favors pedestrian activity. Streets and sidewalks are safe for
walking, lined with greenery and attractive storefronts; traffic speeds are slow and vehicles share the
road equally with pedestrians and cyclists; and the culture of downtown cultivates the creative use of
public space for art, music and community interaction.

Why Walkable Community

Builds on the desire of the community to enhance and improve the downtown
Builds on local interest for a safe, family-friendly community
Builds on current trends showing increased demand for walkability in communities
Builds on the work of the City of Selah in developing a Sub-Area Plan for the downtown

Focus Areas
Value #1: Safety
Value #2: Clean and aesthetically-pleasing
Value #3: Increased density and infill development

Committee Priorities
Organization Committee
Support the Executive Director in SDAs in-kind commitment of work hours to City of Selah
during the development of the Sub-Area Plan
Attend public meetings for the Sub-Area Plan and encourage attendance by community
members and downtown business owners
Educate board members on specific issues included in the Sub-Area Plan
Promotions Committee
Share information with the public about the Sub-Area Plan and provide educational materials
Perform outreach and education about what walkability is and the benefits of walkability
Host downtown walking tours and other activities that encourage walking
Design Committee
Work with business owners on storefront design and faade improvements that enhance the
look of downtown
Lead downtown clean-up / beautification days
Establish a planter pot program for downtown businesses
Install street furniture and public art pieces
Economic Vitality Committee
Provide information to downtown business owners that show the profitability of walkable
downtowns and faade improvements

Transformation Strategy #2
Entrepreneurial Community
Vision Statement
By 2025, economic activity in downtown Selah is flourishing, and the community strives to cultivate
the entrepreneurial spirit through education and support of local business owners. Available
commercial space is filled with retail businesses that are locally owned and operated, restaurants
and eateries, and shops and galleries that showcase local culture and creativity.

Why Entrepreneurial Community

Builds on the desire of residents for increased retail diversity and opportunities to shop local
Builds on the importance of creating a stronger local economy
Builds on existing hometown pride and passion for locally-grown goods, services and products

Focus Areas
Value #1: Retail infill in the downtown
Value #2: Business start-up
Value #3: Support for locally grown

Committee Priorities
Organization Committee
Educate local community groups on ways they can support local businesses, and serve as a
liaison on their Boards to strengthen the relationship and keep lines of communication open
Educate business owners on the benefits of the B&O tax incentive program
Found and manage a small business/start-up incubator in a shared rental space downtown
Promotions Committee
Develop a business spotlight section to include in the monthly newsletter
Create new business welcome package with information about Selah, SDA and the local
business community
Develop shop local campaign to educate consumers about local businesses and the value in
shopping at locally-owned businesses
Design Committee
Lead business-driven, downtown clean-up days to help build a sense of community and
camaraderie between downtown business owners
Educate local businesses on the connection between economic success and downtown
beautification and faade improvements
Economic Vitality Committee
Launch Selah Roundtable: Business Academy training program for new and future businesses
Form a business advisory board to provide advice/mentorship for new or struggling businesses
Host quarterly Selah Roundtable: Merchant Meetings for all Selah businesses and the public

Selah Downtown Association

Committee Goals

TIMELINE
COMMITTEE

Organization

Promotions

Design

Economic
Vitality

6 MONTHS
(June 2017)

9 MONTHS
(September 2017)

12 MONTHS
(December 2017)

Support ED/SDA
involvement in Selahs
Sub-Area Plan
Educate SDA board
members about SubArea Plan

Support Millennial
local impact
networking group
Designate liaison to
community groups and
educate about support
for local businesses,
walkability

Open a small business

incubator space
Increase B&O tax
contributions and
educate businesses
about the tax benefits

Create schedule for

quarterly business
spotlights in newsletter
Educate the public
about Sub-Area Plan
Identify list of historic
properties and site
stories

Create new business

welcome package
Develop public
outreach program on
the benefits of
walkability
Increase participation
in Second Saturdays

Organize bi-annual
(spring, fall) business
promotional events
Lead bi-annual
walking tours

Organize downtown
clean-up day with
business participation
Create planter pot
program
Parklet project

Program to educate
business owners about
connection between
faade improvement
and economic success
Initiate faade
improvement grant
program

Develop public art

program
Support and help
develop wayfinding
sign plan

Implement 6-month
entrepreneurship
training program
Complete downtown
business map

Establish Business
Advisory Group and
advertise benefits to
local businesses

Establish program for

quarterly merchant
meetings