Downtown Walla Walla is powered by people, and 2026 is no exception.

This year, we’re proud to work alongside a dedicated Board of Directors and four active Main Street Committees helping shape how downtown grows, evolves, and functions day to day.

What This Looks Like in 2026

Here’s where work is actively happening right now:

Listening to Walla Walla & Getting People Involved: Staying in regular conversation with businesses, property owners, partners, and community members, while creating ways for people to take part in the work
Vacancy & Underused Spaces: Tracking where spaces are sitting empty, working with property owners, and testing ways to activate storefronts
Opening and Operating a Business Downtown: Mapping out the steps, requirements, and resources so the process is clearer and easier to navigate
Coordinating Across Downtown: Creating more consistent communication between businesses, property owners, and partners so efforts are aligned and easy to engage with

How the Work Comes Together

This work happens through a shared structure of board, staff, and committees, each playing a distinct but connected role.

Board of Directors: Provide direction, accountability, and long-term guidance for the organization

Staff: Are the central connectors, coordinating efforts across committees and the board, keeping work moving, and ensuring ideas turn into action.

Main Street Committees: Shape and lead project-based work based on real experiences and needs in downtown. This work is focused on making steady, visible progress on the things that matter downtown.

Strengthening the look, feel, and functionality of downtown.
Supporting business success and improving the path to opening and operating downtown.
Helping get the word out, bringing people downtown, and supporting events.
Building relationships and keeping people informed and connected.