SEATTLE — The city of Port Townsend and the Port Townsend Main Street Program’s Civic District Revitalization Project have been recognized for having an “Outstanding Partnership” in the downtown streetscape renovation.
Washington Main Street’s Excellence on Main Awards ceremony — held in conjunction with RevitalizeWA, Washington State’s Preservation and Main Street Conference — was Wednesday in Chelan.
“We are very happy to present this award to the city of Port Townsend and the Port Townsend Main Street Program for the Civic District Revitalization Project,” said Sarah Hansen, Washington State Main Street coordinator.
The city and Main Street worked together to plan, design and reconstruct several areas, including the city’s $5.9 million historic downtown streetscape.
Civic District improvements included placing all utilities under ground, installing rain gardens for storm water treatment, and improving access to the waterfront in Port Townsend’s National Historic Landmark District, she said.
“The impact of this partnership cannot be underestimated,” Hansen said.
“From the new interactive playground, enhanced walkability of the district and improved public access to the water, this comprehensive project has capitalized on the unique assets of this beautiful Victorian seaport to create an enhanced and improved sense of place.”
City staff worked with business owners and local residents concerning the overall project, construction schedules and street closures, while the Main Street Program coordinated and promoted a series of downtown events, she said.
A combination of the “One Percent for the Arts” program with the revitalization of the district allowed for the installation of Gerard Tsutakawa’s Salish Sea Circle sculpture in the heart of the Civic District.
Mari Mullen, executive director of Port Townsend Main Street said that the plaza provides a new gathering place for the community.
“On any given day now, you can see the public enjoying the Civic Plaza: young people juggling and hula hooping, children climbing through the new play structures at Pope Marine Park, people playing with their dogs and couples being photographed inside the Salish Sea Circle, which forms an aperture to Port Townsend Bay.”
Other partners in the Civic District Celebrations included the Jefferson County Historical Society, the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce, the Northwest Maritime Center and the Port Townsend Arts Commission.