As part of Main Street Advocacy Day held in Olympia Wednesday, the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation announced Representative Bill Hinkle (R-13th) and Representative Dean Takko (D-19th) are the recipients of its sixth annual Landmark Deeds Award for Public Service for their important roles in supporting the state’s Main Street Program. The award is presented annually to public figures demonstrating leadership on issues related to preserving and retaining Washington’s heritage and who understand the role historic resources play in providing livable, sustainable communities statewide.

In 2010, the Washington State Legislature passed House Bill 2704. This legislation moved the Washington State Main Street Program from the Department of Commerce to the Department of Archaeology & Historic Preservation (DAHP), enabling the program to continue to serve as an effective tool for economic development and job creation in cities and towns across the state, according to proponents of the bill. They also noted the connection between the Main Street Approach, which highlights the preservation of historic buildings as a key component to downtown revitalization, and DAHP’s mission as the agency charged with administering and supporting the state’s historic preservation and cultural resource programs. Representatives Hinkle and Takko acted as the prime sponsors of the bill, which passed overwhelmingly in the House and unanimously in the Senate. Governor Gregoire signed the bill into law on March 12, 2010. Passage of the bill assured that the state’s Main Street Program would be housed within an agency that understands and shares its mission, allowing the program to continue to create jobs and attract new business to downtown communities.

In supporting the bill, Rep. Hinkle noted that the Ellensburg Downtown Association became a Main Street town in 2007. “Main Street designation helped attract 20 new businesses to our downtown core in 2009 alone,” stated Rep. Hinkle. “With these results, the program serves as a key tool for overall economic revitalization.” As a sponsor of the bill in the House, Rep. Takko highlighted the nearly 12,000 jobs created and more than 3,700 new or expanded businesses statewide resulting from the Main Street Program. “It is remarkable to see such a modest investment on the part of the state have such far-reaching results in terms of leveraging private investment,” noted Rep. Takko. “Clearly, the Main Street Program has proven its worth.”

For more information about the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation, visit http://www.wa-trust.org .

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

For related Tacoma Daily Index coverage, click on the following links:

Puyallup’s Meeker Mansion awarded $2K historic preservation grant — http://www.tacomadailyindex.com/portals-code/list.cgi?paper=88&cat=23&id=1906638&more=0

Coke Oven Park listed as endangered historic site — http://www.tacomadailyindex.com/portals-code/list.cgi?paper=88&cat=23&id=1781830&more=0

Curran House, Oberlin Church awarded historic preservation grants — http://www.tacomadailyindex.com/portals-code/list.cgi?paper=88&cat=23&id=1759705&more=0

Washington Trust seeks nominations for 2010 Endangered Historic Properties List — http://www.tacomadailyindex.com/portals-code/list.cgi?paper=88&cat=23&id=1713365&more=0

The Washington Trust: In an old hilltop mansion, a strong voice for preservation — http://www.wahmee.com/tdi_wa_trust.pdf

Long List of Concerns for Washington State Preservationists: An interview with Washington Trust for Historic Preservation’s Jennifer Meisner — http://www.wahmee.com/tdi_jennifer_meisner_qa.pdf