SECONDARY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Elio Agostini, Executive Director, Walla Walla Downtown Foundation
Support RoleOrganize & Sponsor Events & ActivitiesSupport Business Sponsorship of Events & ActivitiesEncourage Downtown Businesses to Remain Open Later in
the Evening & on SundaysPlay Lead Role in Development of Downtown Master PlanInitiate Discussions with the City Regarding Outdoor
Seating, Way finding & Sidewalk SignageSupport Farmer’s Market & Market Station ProjectParticipate in Support of Plan Development for Long Term
Reconfiguration of Mill Creek Channel thru DowntownHelp Facilitate Development of Upper Story Residential &
Workforce Housing In or Near Downtown
DOWNTOWN FOUNDATION
WINE TASTING BUSINESSES DOWNTOWNFacts • There are 28 Wine Tasting Rooms Downtown• 40% of the Wine Tasting Rooms Offer Rotating Gallery Space to Local Artists & Participate in the Art Walk the First Friday of Every Month• Seven of the Wine Tasting Rooms Offer Entertainment Evenings & on Weekends, and /or Food Catered by Local Restaurants
Benefits• Contributes to the Preservation & Restoration of Historic Buildings• Provides an Additional Downtown Draw for Tourists & Locals• Stimulates a Downtown Nightlife• Offers Additional Venues & Exposure for Local Artists & Restaurants
DOWNTOWN FOUNDATION – Feast of Walla Walla
Sponsored by Foundation as Fund Raiser
Objective: Showcase Local Wines & Restaurants
3rd Consecutive Year40 Wineries & 30
Restaurants Participated600 Total Ticket Sales,
with 60% Tickets to Out-of-Town Parties
Generated $35,000 for Foundation
DOWNTOWN FOUNDATIONOther Supportive Events & Activities
SUMMER CONCERTS
• Held on Saturdays & Sundays During the Summer Months• Provides Additional Activities for Tourists & Draws Locals Downtown• Showcases Local Musical Talent
DOWNTOWN FOUNDATION – Farmer’s MarketMarket Station
Project
Farmer’s Market• Initially Served as Market Sponsor• Management & Operation Assumed by New Non-Profit Organization in 2005• Open Saturdays & Sundays from June through October from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.• Average Number of Vendors: 30- 40• Provides a Low Cost Direct Sales Outlet for Small Local Farming Operations • Provide Additional Draw for Downtown
• 2006 Design Competition Jointly Sponsored by Downtown Foundation, Valley Transit & Farmer’s Market• Objective: Provide Enhanced Space for Transit Center , Farmer’s Market, Limited Retail Space & Downtown Parking• Currently Seeking Funds for Feasibility Study & Design
DOWNTOWN FOUNDATION – Outdoor SeatingBenefits• Contributes to an Active & Vibrant Streetscape & Pedestrian Experience• Provides a Pleasant & Enticing Environment for Wine Tasting & Dining • Draws Patrons into the Adjoining Businesses• Increases Customer Retention Time
Foundation’s Role• Foundation Initiated Discussions With the City to Allow & Establish Design Standards for Outdoor Seating Associated with Restaurants & Wine Tasting Businesses
HOTEL ROOM DEMAND & OCCUPANCY RATES
SOURCE: Tourism Walla Walla
DIRECT TOURISM SPENDING
SOURCE: WA. Dept. of Commerce
WWCC Enology & Viticulture Center www.wwcc.edu/wine
Port of Walla Walla www.portwallawalla.com
Walla Walla Downtown Foundationwww.downtownwallawalla.com
Walla Walla Wine Alliance www.wallawallawine.com
Walla Walla Tourism www.wallawalla.org
Walla Walla Wine Study http://www.wwcc.edu/CMS/index.php?id=1759
RELEVANT WEBSITES
Gary Mabley, AICP [email protected] (509) 524-4559
Senior Planner
City of Walla Walla
Valerie Fayette, Director [email protected] (509) 524-5175
Enology & Viticulture Center
Walla Walla Community College
Jim Kuntz, Executive Director [email protected] (509) 525-3101
Port of Walla Walla
Elio Agostini, Executive Director [email protected] (509) 529-8755
Walla Walla Downtown Foundation
QUESTIONS & CONTACT INFORMATION
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