Wilson Hotel Blog

For those of you who have seen the Wilson Hotel up close and personal, you may have noticed two little “shopettes” that flank the front entry of the hotel entrance. These two retail locations have been home to many different business over the years. The “shopette” on the south side of the front entry will be welcoming The Vintage Bride Gift Boutique this fall.

The Vintage Bride specializes in accessories and gifts for the bride in your life. Some of their product offerings include; guests books, garters, serving sets, toasting sets, wedding candles, cake toppers, social stationary, serving pieces and distinctive accessories for the wedding day to name just a few.

The Vintage Bride will be a welcome addition to the growing mix of upscale businesses calling Tower Avenue home. We will keep you posted as the Grand Opening date approaches ~ stay tuned!

TOURISM EXPERTS SAY THAT TO CONSISTENTLY LURE LEISURE TRAVELERS, A CITY MUST KEEP REMINDING PEOPLE OF EVERYTHING IT HAS TO OFFER — AND KEEP ADDING TO THE LIST.

9TH ANNUAL CULTURAL & HERITAGE TOURISM ALLIANCE CONFERENCE
WAKE UP AND SMELL THE CHANGES BREWING!

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28 – SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2007

GRAND HYATT HOTEL
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – IN OUR BACKYARD!!!

Cultural and heritage tourism continues to grow. But that growth comes with change in the industry and consumer expectations. Join professionals from across North America as we learn, network and discover new opportunities in cultural and heritage tourism.

Conference Highlights Include:
• Changing Technology: New frontiers, fads, and tipping points: What’s right for your communications mix?
• Changing Trends in Tourism – Are You Staying Current?
• The Change in America’s Reputation in the World – And How it Affects Tourism
• Putting Some Espresso in Your Advocacy: Making the Economic Case for the Arts
• What’s New in Product Development – Heritage Trails, Music Trails, Culinary Tourism & More
• Hands-on learning from “Mobile Workshops” and optional tours to Pike Place Market, Pratt Fine Arts Center, Olympic Sculpture Park, Lake Union Cruise, Seattle Art Museum, Experience Music Project and more!

Who should attend?
Anyone interested in learning more about:
• Strengthening cultural and heritage tourism’s positive impacts in our communities and addressing shared challenges in the travel industry.
• Effectively advocating for the value of cultural and heritage tourism.
• Promoting the integration of culture and heritage into a broad range of economic development strategies.

For more information visit: http://www.chtalliance.com

Through the process of locating a “perfect” rehabilitation building/project we took many visits to historic towns throughout the Pacific Northwest over the past several years. Interestingly, through this process we discovered three types of historic downtowns – historic city centers that were in a major state of blight with deeply depressed economic conditions (think Centralia ten years ago), towns that were pre-renaissance in the process of a come back clearly ripe for revolution (think Centralia today) and thriving historic downtown areas that were bustling with pedestrian traffic, tourist activity, permanent downtown residents and thriving economic conditions (think Centralia in a just a short time from now).

As investors we were interested in historic downtown areas that were either nearing the end of the blight phase and moving into the renaissance stage or towns that were in the first stages of the rebirth and rehabilitation phase. Centralia met the later criteria. Through the evaluation process we discovered a few critical differences between the towns on the verge of thriving economic conditions and those that were experiencing the massive economic boost of successful heritage tourism conditions. (more…)

The formation of the new Centralia Downtown Association is a major step of progress for the developing downtown sector. This past spring several business owners, investors and City Economic Development Director, Polo Enriquez, attended the overview workshop at the National Main Street Convention being held in Seattle. We were among the attendees at the NMS Conference. It was interesting to hear speaker after speaker from NMS speak directly to the need for a cohesive downtown association group. The most successful testimonies from cities that had made major economic recoveries and went on to become sought after tourist destinations all had one thing in common - - a committed group of downtown business owners that were bonded together through their association and devoted to breathing new life into their historic downtown centers.

We found the most impressive part of the NMS program is that there is a track record of success documented throughout the nation with city after city that made a come back after seriously embracing and committing to the NMS program. It is yet to be determined if the new CDA will formally adopt the NMS designation – however, adopting the step by step plan that the NMS established and working through the steps will be a charge in the right direction. The NMS program revolves around “Guiding Principles” and specific action steps are outlined to achieve those markers of success. In our opinion, the great thing about the NMS program is it is tried, true and proven.

One of the most exciting elements of the NMS program is the ability to use the CDA as a venue for continuing business education. Once established the individual committees can sponsor workshops and training events that benefit the greater good of the individual business owner, building owner, investor and city officials. A downtown association group allows greater cohesiveness and ultimately brings a greater sense of community.
Cost effective business education in marketing, economic and community development, successful event planning, writing for grants, long term planning and merchandising are only a few of the educational opportunities that the CDA can sponsor.

Interestingly, today I had the opportunity to chat with Centralia City Manager, JD Fouts, extensively about the continuing renaissance of the downtown sector. He informed me that there is over $100,000 in the fund to promote the Centralia Historic Downtown once the CDA gets formally established. These are dollars that can be designated to promote the downtown through all means of advertising and to support events held in the downtown core. $100,000 goes a LONG way toward advertising to attract visitors who contribute to the bottom line dollar of every business in the downtown area.

The Centralia City Council has pubically shown their commitment to the revitalization of the downtown by investing over $5 million dollars into the infrastructure of the street scape, utilities and Historic Train Depot rehabilitation. In addition, they have established the Centralia Downtown Revitalization Plan, setting specific goals to restore the downtown to a vital growth focused economic center. More information about the Centralia Revitalization Plan can be found at http://www.centralia.com

The first general membership meeting of the Centralia Downtown Association will be on the announced soon. We are looking forward to becoming a part of the growth movement of the CDA and plugging into a community where caring people are involved in creating the lifestyle that makes Centralia such a special place. This is a great time to be a part of the effort to fully realize the potential of the Historic Downtown – a super successful CDA is the starting point!

More information about the National Main Street Program can be found at http://www.mainstreet.org

We received a lot of response to our blog entry earlier this month about Heritage Tourism and Centralia being a “poster child” for the cause. Heritage Tourism is feeding the American travel experience in droves. In order to attract tourist revenue many towns have adopted “themes” to create a buzz. The Centralia Historic Downtown is on its way to becoming a champion heritage tourism destination because all that Centralia has to do is complete the rehabilitation process. The Historic Downtown in and of itself is what makes Centralia so unique. The collection of buildings that exist in the downtown core are among some of the most undisturbed original masterpieces that reflect the architectural designs of the time, circa 1900 in America.

The renaissance that is currently underway in the downtown core that begun several years ago is beginning to become highly noticeable in the outward appearance of the ‘face’ of downtown. Building owners and investors are transforming the facades of their buildings through rehabilitation and renovation efforts. These efforts are creating a new climate for restoration and demonstrating an “active preservation” movement. Partnered with the recent work of the Centralia Historic Preservation Committee to list the charming residential Edison District on the National Register of Historic Places – Centralia is firmly placing itself on the map as a “Historic Destination” worth visiting.

These broad efforts are deepening the historical sense that one has when they visit Centralia. Folks are becoming increasingly aware that what exists in Centralia is unique, irreplaceable, one of a kind and a distinctive place of value. The word is out that Centralia is experiencing a “rebirth” and investors are coming to the table with capital to get in on the movement.

The Historic Downtown core has what preservationist consider “content.” Undisturbed buildings that reflect the ‘history’ of the place. This environment creates an opportunity to promote the “experience” of heritage tourism. Just being among the historical structures gives you the sense that “you have gone back in time.” The next step to successfully creating heritage tourism is manifesting an “experience.” Visiting Centralia needs to be worthy of the effort to get here. The charm of the environment needs to be partnered with the experience of being here. Bottom line, Centralia needs to be more of a place that tourists can create memories and community members can create an enjoyable life.

One of the next steps in facilitating this change in environment is attracting refreshing, unique and needed businesses to the downtown sector. The mix of businesses downtown is critical to the experience of the community, people who live and work in the downtown area and the visiting tourists whose dollars we depend on for economic growth. Darin Harris, of Boccata Deli http://www.BoccataDeli.com explained it best, “We went out on a limb bringing Boccata Deli to N. Tower Avenue when we first got started. However, we figured that every new business raises the level of the Centralia experience like new ice cubes raise the water level in a glass. Someone has to be the first cube in the glass - each one makes a difference.” Now Boccata is a mainstay business in downtown Centralia. Centralia is a better place because of Boccata. Boccata does a great job of providing an “experience.”

The careful balance of business mix is critical to creating a destination worthy of traveling to and then returning home to tell all your friends and family about it - - so they will want to travel there too. After all, referrals and personal testimonies are the number one travel generator according to the experts. It will be interesting to see how the future of the downtown core is infused with new life as more unique and needed businesses make Tower and Pearl Avenues home.

Every successful business will make a significant contribution to raising the level of the tourist and community experience. Soon the face of the downtown business mix will reflect a new “heritage personality” that will be the cornerstone of Centralia heritage tourism. There is no doubt that Centralia is fast becoming one of the Pacific Northwest’s Treasure Towns. Rich in heritage and tourist dollars!

The STP Seattle to Portland Bike Event will be held the weekend of July 12 & 13, 2008.
The night of the 12th over 70% of the riders will stop over in Historic Centralia for a night of rest and STP festivities. The STP event hosts over 9000 riders and is one of the largest bike events in the Pacific Northwest.

For more information about STP 2008 and other PNW bike events visit www.cascade.org .

The Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce has recently entered into an agreement with the cities of Centralia, Chehalis and Lewis County to provide tourism promotion and Visitor Information Center (VIC) services.

The owners of the Wilson Hotel have been invited to be a part of a stakeholder group whose focus will be to better develop tourism in Lewis County. We will be participating as an active member of the new Lewis County Tourism Promotion Committee (TPC).

The first meeting of the new TPC will be held at the beginning of September. An exciting agenda is planned for the first meeting. We are looking forward to connecting with the other stakeholders who have been invited to participate in this new steering committee. Tourism is on the grow in Lewis County and we are excited to be a part of the process.

In Search of Old Pictures of the Wilson Hotel

Our historian, Connie, has begun the process of compiling the historical record of the grand Wilson Hotel. As she works to chronicle the major events that took place at the hotel she will be researching local, county and state archives to harvest information about noteworthy events.

Connie is specifically looking for old photographs of the hotel – exterior pictures, interior pictures and pictures of the grand lobby. If you or anyone you know has old photographs of the hotel please contact Connie at info@wilsonhotel.net .

In addition, if you are aware of any historical event that took place at the hotel that you feel would be of public interest, please forward that information to Connie as well. The Wilson Hotel has a long and distinguished legacy over the past 93 years – it will be exciting to learn more about the people and events that make up the hotel’s history!

One of the first projects the new Centralia Downtown Association is under taking is the construction of a large map of the Historic Downtown detailing all the businesses that call Tower Avenue & Pearl Avenue home. The map will illustrate each business location and serve as a “Visitor’s Walking Guide” to downtown shopping.

The new map will be located in the front windows of the Centerville Western Wear building on the corner of Tower Avenue and Pine Street.

The renaissance currently underway in the Centralia Historic Downtown core is making headlines. The City Council’s decision to firmly commit to the Downtown Revitalization Plan placed Centralia on the map as one of the newest ‘rebirth communities’ in the Pacific Northwest.

Interestingly, the principles of “New Urbanism” that are leading the way in revitalizing old downtown city centers across America fit the historic downtown of Centralia perfectly. The New Urbanism concept can be derived from the old towns and city centers across Europe where everything in a town is within ‘walking distance.’ In order to fully develop a downtown core there must be the “bones” in place to begin the process. Centralia has ‘great bones!’

The 16 block area that comprises the Centralia Historic Downtown sector meets almost every one of the criteria to be a qualified candidate for the New Urbanism concept. Below are the 10 Principles of New Urbanism from the national web site.

1. Walkability-Most things within a 10-minute walk of home and work
-Pedestrian friendly street design (buildings close to street; porches, windows & doors; tree-lined streets; on street parking; hidden parking lots; garages in rear lane; narrow, slow speed streets)
-Pedestrian streets free of cars in special cases

2. Connectivity
-Interconnected street grid network disperses traffic & eases walking
-A hierarchy of narrow streets, boulevards, and alleys
-High quality pedestrian network and public realm makes walking pleasurable

3. Mixed-Use & Diversity
-A mix of shops, offices, apartments, and homes on site. Mixed-use within neighborhoods, within blocks, and within buildings
-Diversity of people - of ages, income levels, cultures, and races

4. Mixed Housing
A range of types, sizes and prices in closer proximity

5. Quality Architecture & Urban Design
Emphasis on beauty, aesthetics, human comfort, and creating a sense of place; Special placement of civic uses and sites within community. Human scale architecture & beautiful surroundings nourish the human spirit

6. Traditional Neighborhood Structure
-Discernable center and edge
-Public space at center-Importance of quality public realm; public open space designed as civic art
-Contains a range of uses and densities within 10-minute walk
-Transect planning: Highest densities at town center; progressively less dense towards the edge. The transect is an analytical system that conceptualizes mutually reinforcing elements, creating a series of specific natural habitats and/or urban lifestyle settings. The Transect integrates environmental methodology for habitat assessment with zoning methodology for community design. The professional boundary between the natural and man-made disappears, enabling environmentalists to assess thedesign of the human habitat and the urbanists to support the viability of nature. This urban-to-rural transect hierarchy has appropriate building and street types for each area along the continuum.

7. Increased Density
-More buildings, residences, shops, and services closer together for ease of walking, to enable a more efficient use of services and resources, and to create a more convenient, enjoyable place to live.
-New Urbanism design principles are applied at the full range of densities from small towns, to large cities

8. Smart Transportation
-A network of high-quality trains connecting cities, towns, and neighborhoods together
-Pedestrian-friendly design that encourages a greater use of bicycles, rollerblades, scooters, and walking as daily transportation

9. Sustainability
-Minimal environmental impact of development and its operations
-Eco-friendly technologies, respect for ecology and value of natural systems
-Energy efficiency
-Less use of finite fuels
-More local production
-More walking, less driving

10. Quality of Life
Taken together these add up to a high quality of life well worth living, and create places that enrich, uplift, and inspire the human spirit.

For more information about the New Urbanism concept visit www.NewUrbanism.org