The Cle Elum Downtown Association is part of the Washington Main Street program and has emerged as a critical partner with the City of Cle Elum, Kittitas County Tourism, and others as a vehicle to enhance and embrace the ongoing success of downtown as a commercial hub of the community. This report forms the foundation of a downtown plan that includes several components that complement the plan to make 1st Street a more inviting place for visitors to browse the shops, restaurants, accommodations, and downtown businesses.
The downtown planning concepts presented in the Master Plan explore opportunities for the community to enhance private, public, and semi-public spaces (the transitional space between a building and sidewalk). Semi-public spaces can be handled in various ways, including access easements, a public access agreement, or a memorandum of understanding. These improvements will complement the City’s Downtown Revitalization Plan, which endeavors to create a more pedestrian-friendly environment along 1st Street that will enhance the visitor experience, calm through traffic, and set the stage for additional private sector investment in the core of Cle Elum.
