Main Street Pedestrian Mall

I grew up in a mid-west town which was built in the early 1900's by entrepreneurs who used building models from Northern European countries. Many of our buildings looked similar to the Lewiston Civic Theater, pictured above, a landmark church which is now a thriving community theater serving our LC Valley. Preserving our landmark buildings is important to growing communities as ours, as they attract newcomers who add depth and talent to our areas.

Yesterday the Downtown Lewiston supporters met to plan a potential kick off for restoration efforts for our Valley by affiliating with the national Main Street program. It is a part of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Their field teams have gone to several cities to help preserve their historic buildings from extinction as urban growth pushes into communities.

The foundation to save such historic buildings became the Main Street program, and has helped revitalize the Walla Walla, Washington downtown area, a quick 2 hour drive from our Valley on Hwy 12.

The Lewiston Morning Tribune has recently printed several excellent articles on the Main Street Program as an avenue to revive Lewiston's downtown core, which has many such buildings in need of renewal.

The thought of saving these buildings and integrating them into a pedestrian friendly Downtown is exciting! I love the energy this movement is beginning to create in our business district which historically was the First Capital of the State of Idaho!

How do you feel about being part of this movement?