Preserving History
Downtown Washington, Inc., formerly a merchant's committee since the late 1950's, was formed in 1989 when downtown Washington was selected as one of the first five pilot communities for the Missouri Main Street Program. Downtown Washington, Inc. has maintained its accreditation status with Missouri Main Street Connection and Main Street America to this day. Downtown Washington, Inc. proudly organizes Art Fair & Winefest, WashMo BBQ & Bluesfest, Sunset on the Riverfront, Fall Festival of the Arts & Crafts, Farm to Table, Holiday Parade of Lights, and much more!
Mission
To promote an attractive and financially stable downtown while preserving our historic resources and enriching the community.
Vision
Now and in the future, downtown Washington will serve as a center of commerce in Franklin County, offering numerous opportunities for people to enjoy the character of an historic riverfront town.
Downtown will be a warm and friendly place, one which attracts businesses, past and present residents, and visitors alike. Providing a vibrant atmosphere, downtown Washington will be able to serve both as a center for civic activities and as a destination for tourists. Downtown will attract and retain a diverse mix of complementary retail and service businesses. The core of the city will be maintained downtown, taking advantage of the river location. Remaining a major viable economic force that contributes to a growing tax base, Downtown Washington will also retain its charm and rich heritage. Historic buildings will be preserved with economically viable uses.
Equipped with a design handbook previously commissioned as part of a comprehensive plan, a committee will remain in place to help keep the downtown clean and well-maintained, incorporating attractive window designs and green space.
Strong leadership supported by an enthusiastic base of volunteers will be the product of an alliance made up of united businesses, the Washington Area Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Washington, Inc., the City of Washington, and the broader community. This alliance will utilize a shared vision, a clear set of goals, and strong community financial support to drive the downtown revitalization program.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Accessibility Statement
Our organization, Downtown Washington, Inc. works to make downtown Washington, MO a warm and friendly place, one which attracts businesses, residents, and visitors alike. We believe that downtown Washington is for everyone. We stand resolutely for peace, equity, justice, accountability, inclusion, and fair treatment of all people. The humanity and dignity of every person must be honored and respected within our public spaces.
Providing a vibrant atmosphere, downtown Washington, MO will be able to serve both as a center for civic activities and as a destination for tourists. Downtown Washington, Inc. will help attract and retain a diverse mix of complementary retail and service businesses, along with the people these businesses serve in this community. We have been, and continue to be, committed to creating places of shared prosperity, equal access to opportunity, and inclusive engagement.
Downtown Washington, Inc. is committed to partnering with our like-minded investors and leaders of our community as we look forward to being a positive force of change moving forward.
History
In April of 1973, a group of downtown merchants incorporated Washington Downtown Shopping Center, Inc. as a not for profit corporation in response to the rise of shopping centers in the southern part of town. Their early efforts to improve the civic conditions in the downtown shopping district eventually blossomed into our current organization. In 1989, Washington Downtown Shopping Center, Inc. was shortened to Downtown Washington, Inc.
Washington, along with four other Missouri towns, was selected to become a pilot community for the newly formed Missouri Main Street Program, an initiative created by the Missouri Department of Economic Development and National Trust for Historic Preservation. During the 1990s, under the supervision of Executive Director Linda Kuenzie, the organization began to reshape the layout and aesthetic of the downtown district. Along with constructing the Main and Elm Street parking lot in 1991, Downtown Washington, Inc., partnering with the City of Washington, led the renovation of Main Street by installing new lamps and banners. The organization also established the gift certificate system, a program that has encouraged shopping in the downtown district for more than 30 years.
The historic log cabin on Jefferson and 2nd Street belongs to Downtown Washington, Inc. Restoration began in 1993 and lasted for four and a half years. Upon completion in 1997, the organization’s operations were moved from the Chamber of Commerce’s basement to the cabin. There, Rodney Stoyer served as Executive Director from 1999 until 2002 and helped Downtown Washington, Inc. finish twice (2000-2001) in the top 10 for the Great American Main Street Award.
In 2001, Bridgette (Epple) Kelch was hired as Executive Director and helped guide Downtown Washington, Inc. into the 21st century. During the next decade, the organization’s focus gradually expanded to encompass property redevelopment and ownership.
To help facilitate this, the Historic Washington Foundation was founded in 2006 with the intention of managing larger projects. One of their first undertakings was the renovation of the Bleckman building at 317 West Main Street in 2005. A year later, the Farmers’ Market opened at that location and has since proven to be a central gathering place for the community. Its relevance to the downtown district was expanded in 2011 when the upper stories of the Farmers’ Market were converted into residential spaces.
In 2010, the organization moved their operations once more into the newly renovated “old” post office and was opened on March 1, 2011, hosting both new offices for the organizations and also a Contract Postal Unit providing mail services that ran until March 2025. These efforts and expansion culminated in 2012 when the organization won the coveted Great American Main Street Award from the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Since September 2019, Downtown Washington, Inc. and the Historic Washington Foundation has been under the leadership of Tyler King, who swiftly navigated both organizations through the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Demonstrating resilience and innovation, Downtown Washington, Inc. launched the groundbreaking Merchant Event Grant in 2021, a transformative initiative that has provided crucial funding for events and advertisements for local businesses, empowering downtown businesses to host larger, more dynamic, and widely attended events that have enriched the community.
Downtown Washington, Inc. and the Historic Washington Foundation continues to experience remarkable growth and financial strength. A major milestone was achieved in November 2022 with the final loan payment made on the Farmer’s Market, marking a significant financial achievement and reinforcing the organization’s commitment to economic sustainability. Most recently, the organizations demonstrated its dedication to enhancing the downtown experience by installing the Downtown Riverfront Playground, a key component of its family and entertainment transformation strategy. This visionary project was recognized at the state level, earning the prestigious Missouri Park and Recreation Association Citation Award for Organizations in 2024.
Further solidifying its financial independence and long-term success, Downtown Washington, Inc. and the Historic Washington Foundation successfully paid off its loan on the historic post office building at the end of 2024. This accomplishment not only underscores the organization’s fiscal responsibility but also positions it for continued innovation and revitalization efforts. With a proven track record of strategic growth, financial strength, and community enrichment, Downtown Washington, Inc. and the Historic Washington Foundation both stand as models of success, ensuring a thriving and vibrant downtown for generations to come.
