New Main Street revitalization group forming

Monroe's emerging downtown Main Street focus group is beginning to take form, as numerous individuals have joined together in the interest of promoting downtown Monroe revitalization.

The group held its first meeting 2 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 11, in the basement of the Sultan-Monroe Masonic Lodge at 125 S. Lewis St. Attendees included Monroe residents Teresa Willard, Samantha Idle, Jackie Kiter and Betsy Burnett, Monroe Walmart co-manager Ben Allen, Monroe resident and downtown business owner Meghan Manning and resident Dianne Forth.

The next meeting is scheduled for 3 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 18, in the same location.

Forth helped spearhead the overall effort after becoming frustrated with the level of trash strewn about Monroe's downtown core. She sent an email to Monroe Mayor Geoffrey Thomas about her concerns. Thomas responded promptly, and within an hour, plans for a downtown Monroe clean-up party were underway. The event took place on Wednesday, July 8.

That initial communication with Thomas opened up a dialogue that transitioned into a broader discussion about what could be done to enhance and preserve Monroe's downtown core.

Thomas is hopeful that a nonprofit organization dedicated solely to downtown revitalization can have a positive impact.

Forth has expressed interest in taking on a leadership role.-á

Thomas stopped by last week's meeting briefly to demonstrate his support for the grassroots effort. He confirmed that if there is sufficient interest in starting an official Main Street program, the city will provide the organization with $25,000 in seed money to help bolster the effort.

The group is working to identify members interested in serving on the board of directors and preparing to engage with the state's official Main Street program. Managed by the Washington State Department of Archaeology & Historic Preservation, the Main Street program uses a multipronged approach to facilitate historic downtown revitalization in communities across the state.

They also hope to decide on a name for the group. Up until its dissolution in 2014, Monroe had a downtown focus group called the Downtown Revitalization and Enhancement Association of Monroe (DREAM).

The new group strongly feels that a new name is in order to get a fresh start. Both Willard and Kiter were involved in DREAM and they bring their previous knowledge and experience to the table.

Kiter offered to foot the bill for a membership to the National Main Street Network, which is a subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The $250 membership will give the group access to National Main Street Center resources. -á -á

For more information, email downtownmonroeassociation@gmail.com.