News

Cle Elum Launches "Focus on Downtown" Project

Many elements contribute to a healthy financial picture for our community, among them a strong business and commercial district and a broad economic tax base - with the tax burden shared uniformly among different sectors.

Property tax revenue pays for many of the things that we as a community hold dear - good public schools, well-maintained roads, public safety departments, clean drinking water and recreation opportunities.

While much of the conversation about economic development in Cle Elum in the past few years has focused on encouraging light industry or high-tech enterprises, an effort is currently under way to address the economic health and well-being of the downtown business district.

The goals of all economic development strategies are the same: Ease the burden on the average taxpayer and generate more money to pay for town services without budget deficits. With that, Cle Elum has launched "Focus on Downtown", a comprehensive examination of challenges and opportunities within our Central Business District. It is our belief that the central business district should be the civic, cultural, economic and social center of our community.

The first phase of Focus on Downtown is the Façade Renovation and Improvement Program. Conceived by the Community Development Director and implemented by the Cle Elum Historic Preservation Commission, the program provides local and state property tax incentives along with matching grant money to assist in the renovation of building facades and window replacement in the Old Town Commercial District.

Upcoming phases of the Focus on Downtown project will include downtown design, street beautification and transportation and pedestrian circulation. Together we can improve Cle Elum!