Walla Walla tries out downtown plaza on Main Street

WALLA WALLA-Kathryn Witherington stepped into her new job as Executive Director of the Downtown Walla Walla Foundation in early February of this year. Previously the Economic Development Director of the Port of Columbia, Witherington, joined the Foundation just in time to help merchants handle the damages of February's flooding. And then in March came the coronavirus pandemic.

Earlier efforts this summer to boost businesses downtown included the creation of extra dining space in front of six restaurants with the construction of parklets. This past weekend saw Witherington assisting in a big project for the city, the temporary closure of East Main Street in downtown Walla Walla from Second Avenue to Palouse Street, from 6 a.m. on Friday until early evening on Sunday.

These closures are in response to the rollbacks of the "Safe Start" Plan announced by Gov. Jay Inslee and Secretary of Health John Wiesman on July 23. Effective July 30, indoor service at taverns, breweries, wineries, and distilleries is prohibited, and indoor dining at the same table is limited to members of the same household.

Witherington has seen her position lately as something similar to performing triage, trying to calculate who needs the most help, the fastest.

"The wineries were in the most danger when the new restrictions came in place, so we helped them first, now, the retailers are the next most in danger, and we›re looking to help retail next, Witherington said, adding, "There are no good answers right now."

With over a dozen wineries downtown, boosting the outdoor seating on E. Main became a solution that the Foundation, the City of Walla Walla, the Walla Walla Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Walla Walla Valley Wine Alliance have collaborated on.

"We had a handful of businesses that were ready to shut their doors after that announcement last week. Shut their doors and shut them permanently. I'm not saying this is a perfect solution, but for the moment, their doors are still open, and they feel supported and connected, and like the community's got them," said Witherington.

The plan allowed businesses to extend their operations across the sidewalks and into the roadway to the extent of the angled parking spots.

The City of Walla Walla Parks & Recreation Department helped set up over three dozen tables, seating, umbrellas, and canopies early Friday morning, for residents to sit and enjoy food and drinks from local businesses.

After reviewing the results over the weekend and holding a Zoom call with interested downtown businesses on Monday, August 3, the plan has now changed.

"We've decided NOT to close any streets this weekend," Witherington said on Tuesday. "Instead, we'll be exploring ways to block off parking slots safely in front of wineries in order to expand outdoor seating while still keeping traffic moving and have some parking available."

The section of First Avenue between Main and Alder will remain closed, however, with a string of lights to twinkle at night and adjustable umbrellas to provide shade during the day. Visitors are welcome to bring their own food and nonalcoholic drinks to the Plaza, but the use of alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis is prohibited. The Plaza is slated to remain until October 2020.