Downtown College Place Association wins 501(c)(3), asks council for formal support and local B&O funding

City Clerk Mary Elizabeth Garcia and members of the newly formed Downtown College Place Association told the City of College Place City Council on Oct. 14 that the group has completed its first year of work, won 501(c)(3) status and is seeking formal city support to sustain downtown revitalization efforts.

The association, which the presenters identified as focusing on a College Avenue downtown district from Rose to the highway and on four Main Street pillars — organization, promotion, design and economic vitality — asked the council for an MOU or resolution to “solidify our mutual, hopeful support of each other,” and for help pursuing funding and operational stability, including the possibility of retaining a portion of the state business-and-occupation (B&O) tax the group said could otherwise return to the city as local revenue.

Why it matters: The group argued that an ongoing funding stream and a paid executive director would let the volunteer board move from initial projects and branding into hiring staff, applying for grants and running events intended to draw customers to downtown businesses.

At the meeting, Mary Elizabeth Garcia, identified as City Clerk, said the association had met biweekly through its first year, conducted a door-to-door survey of businesses on College Avenue and “as of last week, we have achieved our 5 0 1(c)(3) nonprofit status.” The presenters said the group has already begun small beautification projects, has received initial grants for general operating costs and has “about $150,000 in grants out there right now percolating.”

Board members who spoke or were identified during the presentation included Jim Fry (superintendent, College Place Public Schools), Vicky Zanes (general manager, Andy’s Market) and founding board members Chloe Congleton (president) and Delana Bell. The presenters also named volunteer outreach that included university students who helped survey businesses.

Council members welcomed the news but asked about geographical scope. Council Member Williams said she worried about focusing only on a compact “downtown” rather than the whole city and suggested the association could later form auxiliary efforts to cover businesses outside the designated Main Street district. Presenters said the Washington Main Street program requires a defined district to qualify for certain benefits and that the association would aim to draw activity that benefits the broader community.

Council Member Boyle and others highlighted the potential to recapture B&O tax revenue for local use. A council member said the city could apply to keep roughly 75% of qualifying local B&O revenue in the community rather than the state, an amount that presenters and council members described as materially helpful for sustaining an executive director and programming.

The association said short-term priorities include applying to join Main Street America once funding allows, pursuing bench and flower-basket beautification projects, murals and branding, and working toward hiring an executive director in year two. Longer-term aims include improving walkability and public spaces tied to existing anchors such as College Place High School and Andy’s Market.

The presenters asked the council to (1) align city initiatives with downtown work (infrastructure, zoning and signage); (2) consider a funding partnership such as directing qualifying B&O tax revenue to the association when allowable; and (3) continue promotional and logistical support, such as meeting space and assistance with permits and grant applications.

Council members repeatedly commended the volunteers and City Clerk Garcia for spearheading the effort and said they looked forward to returning requests for formal city support for council consideration.

The council took no formal vote on the MOU or B&O request during the Oct. 14 meeting; presenters said they would return with specific requests and that the association is still developing membership and funding structures.