Governor knows what's driving revitalization

YAKIMA -- Though she stopped short of actually promising the money, Gov. Chris Gregoire voiced support Wednesday for continuing downtown Yakima revitalization projects.

The state funded the first two phases of the Yakima Downtown Futures Initiative and the beginning of a third with $8.5 million in capital budget money. And, as Gregoire visited Wednesday to celebrate those improvements, Mayor Dave Edler and former state Sen. Alex Deccio were not shy about asking for more.

"That same kind of support, governor, we're hoping to continue," Edler said, in front of about 30 people gathered at the intersection of Yakima Avenue and the newly revamped Front Street.

Deccio, who was standing off to the side with Gregoire, leaned over to her, smiling, and said, "Now you know why you're here."

Taking the microphone himself, Deccio, a Republican legendary for working across the aisle to bring money home for Yakima, praised Gregoire and the state government for the $250 million he figures Washington has spent on Yakima projects since the early 1980s.

"And, governor, we need more," he said.

Gregoire took the hard sell in stride.

"Normally, there's a bigger pause between the 'thank you' and the new 'ask,'" she said, getting a laugh from the sidewalk crowd.

Still, Gregoire insisted that she, too, would like to see Yakima's revitalization efforts continue.

"You deserve it," she told the crowd. "You deserve more. We're going to get you more."

That does not mean a guarantee that the project will get funding in the next capital budget, however.

"I can't write the capital budget here on the sidewalk in Yakima," Gregoire said. "But I sure think we need to stick with (the revitalization project)."

The Downtown Futures Initiative, a public-private collaborative effort aimed at renewing the city's core, has gotten about $3 million from local government in addition to the $8.5 million from the state. So far, that money has paid for sidewalk improvements, fancy lightposts, hanging baskets and other aesthetic improvements to Yakima Avenue and North Front Street.

The work is set to expand to Second, Third and Fourth streets and Naches Avenue. That will get under way with about $1 million of state and $800,000 of local money leftover from the previous phases of the project.

Local leaders, though, hope for another $2 million to $5 million in the next capital budget to continue the work.

* Pat Muir can be reached at 577-7693, or at pmuir@yakimaherald.com.