Jan. 17 — The outlook of downtown is bright

Chris Albert / of the Herald

When Puyallup Main Street Association Executive Director Dave Eatwell started working for the organization last year he thought he could ease into the job.

“It’s just not possible with an organization like this,” Eatwell said. “There’s always something going on.”

The strides the organization has made toward becoming a destination downtown are what keep him busy, but more importantly make the future bright in downtown.

The Puyallup Main Street Association held their annual membership meeting Jan. 15 at the Liberty Theater. The event highlighted this year’s theme— “Out future is very bright.”

Success for the future is built on the hard work from the past, Eatwell said, and it is important to continue that work as downtown Puyallup defines what it is and how it gets there.

“As always when we do an event we look to improve it,” he said.

In March, there was the first Wedding Walk where more than 100 brides-to-be flocked to downtown.

Meeker Days was a huge success and was the single largest downtown event of the year, Eatwell said.

The wine walks in the spring and the fall attracted about 800 participants. Many business owners reported their best sales day ever during the fall wine walk, he said.

During The Fair, downtown businesses stayed open late for “The Sun shines Late.” Businesses that participated put a sunflower in front of their business to mark they would be open late.

By the end of the Farmers’ Market in the fall, the market recorded more than $1 million in revenue.

In November, the association teamed with architectural students from the University of Washington Tacoma to restore the historic storefronts in downtown.

“Hopefully, next year at this meeting we’ll be talking about the first building that has been restored,” he said.

December began with the annual Santa Parade, but was just the starting point for a month of holiday festivities in downtown, including a visit from Santa’s Reindeer and a window decorating contest.

Joining this year’s lineup is “Girls Night Out” this summer.

The 2008 budget was approved by the membership with costs of about $440,000 and income of about $450,000. The reserves will give the association some breathing room to build secure funding for the future.

The organization also started a $1,000 fellowship in the name of Debbie Munson for a college art student to do an art project in Puyallup during the summer. Munson, who died this past fall, was a driving force for Arts Downtown and Valley Arts United.

Mayor Don Malloy addressed the membership.

“We know that change is inevitable but progress is not,” he said.

They have to work together to ensure progress is made for new development, while preserving the heritage of downtown.

Preservation of downtown events is carried by the many volunteers that participate in events every year.

Out going PMSA President Glen Zevenbergen recognized community member Rich Guzman as the “Volunteer of the Year.”

“He’s always there, he’s always cheerful and he’s always helpful,” Zevenbergen said.

The first ever President’s Award was presented to Mary Johnson. It is for the member who best represents what main street means.

“There’s not a day that goes by that Mary isn’t out there on the street,” he said.

With all the awards presented the membership got back to business, approving the 2008 plan and budget and welcoming incoming PMSA President Kent Hojem.