Jan. 10 — Sumner Downtown Association eyes future

Roxanne Cooke / of the Herald

The Sumner Downtown Association is powering ahead with a list of accomplishments, as well as resolutions, for 2008 and beyond.

The association is doing very well, said Carmen Palmer, communications director for the city. An example of that success can be found in the numerous awards received from the Washington Festivals and Events Association.

“People are really starting to hear about Sumner and hear good things about Sumner through the work of the downtown association,” Palmer said.

Membership in the Sumner Downtown Association has doubled in the past two years, and it’s gaining momentum, said Executive Director Shelly Schlumpf. For example, the organization’s annual Christmas party was well attended this year, bringing in more than 70 guests.

Another program propelling the downtown association forward is the state’s Main Street B&O Tax Credit Program, which allows local businesses to earmark their state Business and Occupation tax dollars for their own communities. So far, Heritage Bank and the Sumner Veterinary Clinic have donated a total of $9,000 to the Sumner Downtown Association, Schlumpf said.

The association is still working on getting approved as a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization so that it can receive additional funding. In order to do that, though, it can no longer promote sale events such as Surfin’ the Sales. Shops may still host those events, though.

The Sumner Downtown Association must instead primarily focus on revitalization and preservation for the nonprofit status, Schlumpf said. And so far, Schlumpf has helped to draft a historic preservation ordinance with the city — a major step in preserving historic landmarks. The next step is applying to become a certified local government, which is a local, state and federal partnership that provides funding to cities that want to protect historic places.

Schlumpf is also working toward finding an architect to help restore downtown storefronts to their historic appearances. That’s in the works for 2008, she said.

In terms of events the organization puts together, two will be eliminated this year: Surfin’ the Sales and the Vintage Motorcycle Show. Participant registration in the motorcycle show decreased by 50 percent, compared to 2006.

That event may be combined with the Classy Chassis Car Show, Schlumpf said, but that hasn’t been decided yet. Either way, it won’t be a separate event this time around.

Still, that doesn’t mean it’s gone for good.

“That’s not to say they won’t come back for ’09,” Schlumpf said.

Looking back over 2007, Schlumpf said the Old Cannery’s addition of fireworks to the annual bridge lighting was the biggest change, and the Sweetheart Wine Walk in February was the biggest fundraiser and best attendance of a non-parade event.