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Coupeville waterfront group outlines 2024 grants, events and partnerships
Summary
The Coupeville Historic Waterfront Association updated the Town Council on placemaking work, grants and partnerships that supported downtown events, lighting and a new audiovisual system funded by Puget Sound Energy.
At the Feb. 25, 2025 Coupeville Town Council meeting, the Coupeville Historic Waterfront Association presented its 2024 activities, grants and requests for continued town support.
The association’s executive director, Jesse Levesque, told the council the group focuses on “placemaking” — a mix of arts, technology, culture and partnerships intended to strengthen downtown’s physical and social character. Levesque said the group pays for downtown holiday lights, runs a “Waterfront Wednesday” summer music series and coordinates youth art displays in local businesses.
The presentation noted a Puget Sound Energy (PSE) grant that paid for an upgraded audiovisual system at the recreation hall; Ryan Henry of PSE joined the meeting by video and thanked the association for recognizing the utility’s contribution. Aaron Lazaro, a donor who spoke about the Washington Main Street tax-credit program, described the tax-credit as an incentive that allows businesses paying business-and-occupation taxes to redirect a portion of those payments to local Main Street programs; he said a $10,000 contribution would yield a 75% tax credit in the following tax year.
Levesque highlighted grant-backed projects, including exterior-enhancement grants for storefronts, a Tulalip Tribes planning grant used to reduce the cost of printed guides and maps, and a collaboration with Central Whidbey Island Fire & Rescue to publish online fire-safety messages during Fire Prevention Week. The association said a first-time Tulalip grant allowed it to reduce printed guide costs and expand outreach.
The association also reported event results: a downtown “Red Ticket” promotion sold 26,697 tickets, and the presenters estimated that the promotion’s business revenue impact equated to $533,940. Levesque credited volunteers and private donors for making events possible and said the group plans more shoulder-season programming to extend business activity into fall and winter.
Levesque closed by inviting council members to CHWA’s upcoming members meeting and thanked the town for past partnership and in-kind support.
Why it matters: CHWA’s programming and private grants support downtown businesses, public events and seasonal tourism. Council members thanked the group and acknowledged the public–private nature of several projects discussed.
Planning follow-up noted by staff: CHWA leaders asked to continue coordination on downtown restroom infrastructure and to return with any requests where town support or permitting is needed.
Speakers quoted in this article are drawn from the town meeting record.
