WASHINGTON — The city of Washington invites everyone out to rediscover downtown, including the new sidewalks, curbs, lamp posts, benches, trash receptacles, hanging plants, banners, and flags — most of which were donated or purchased with grant funds — to revitalize Main Street in the past year.
“A lot of people drive by and don’t notice,” said Charles Selby, executive director of the Daviess County Chamber of Commerce. He wants people to come out and see what’s there and what’s changed.
There will be a celebration from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday at Meredith Plaza to thank sponsors and citizens who came together to make the downtown revitalization possible. Selby said there will be a ribbon cutting at 6 p.m. to dedicate the “new” downtown.
“I want everyone in the city who wants to be in the picture to be there,” Selby exclaimed. “Even if we have to put some people up on a fire truck to see them.”
He said there will be live entertainment at the Meredith Park gazebo, where Joe Howard, Barry Reister, Tracy Williams and Rick Leffler will play ’70s and ’80s rock music. There will be refreshments and children’s games, as well. Selby said there will be free popcorn and bottled water, along with some food stands.
“Several stores will be open until 7 o’clock with some great deals,” he said.
In addition, there will be drawings for a gas grill donated by Walmart, a WaterWorld of Washington party package donated by the city, a one-night stay at Baymont Inn and Suites with a free Putt-Putt package for a family of four from Putter’s Bay, and Holiday World passes donated by two local radio stations. Entrants must be present to win these and other prizes.
The celebration is sponsored by the City of Washington and Daviess County Chamber of Commerce.
Mayor Larry Haag said the downtown revitalization project has been a true community effort. Teens from PowerHouse, local businesses, community members and Daviess Community Hospital were among those donating time and/or money to clean or update parts of Main Street to create curb appeal. Selby said the plan is to do more facade work on buildings and recruit more businesses into downtown. He hopes the revitalization work will encourage new businesses to locate in the downtown area.
“Store owners are excited about the remarkable changes and the potential it provides for business,” Haag said of the existing businesses. “The community has embraced the revitalization that was made possible by a public-private partnership and the dedication of many people.
“But don’t take our word for it — come and witness the community-building resulting from the revitalized downtown Washington, Indiana, for yourself.”
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