This week we will be wrapping up our National Main Street Four-Point Approach to revitalization and moving forward with some of my thoughts about the continued vibrancy and enthusiasm about our business district. Like many of you, this writer was born and raised right here and enthusiastically loves his hometown. Guess some of you can tell? Let us finish with the Four-Point plan by discussing — economic restructuring.

The Economic Restructuring Committee, like the other three, has goals, objectives and strategies that it employs. The goal is to encourage the use and development of the waterfront, buildings, open space and businesses in the Harbor District to increase their economic impact. We all have seen some progress thus far from this committee with the addition of Festival Park, swings, the lighthouse and green space beautification, to name only a few. This committee meets once a month to discuss future plans and the objectives and strategies it has to use to reach this high and lofty goal. As a member of this committee, it has been a valuable learning tool for me.

The ERC’s objective is to increase economic stability, prosperity and to expand employment. This is a very broad goal and has far-reaching benefits to all citizens once it is attained. All of us want more jobs added, and this committee is diligently working for you in an attempt to bring this to realization in Washington. Stability and sustainability are two words that are continually used in these meetings! We, as citizens, have to keep our business district alive by shopping and dining locally. Our “Shop, Dine and Play” slogan is exactly that, and if we do so, we can help our merchants sustain their businesses and not shut their doors. We all have to do this!

The strategies this committee may use can vary on the situation with which it is involved. One such strategy is to encourage owner investment in downtown through the façade grant program. Some do not know of this grant, but it can be used to upgrade the front and rear of their buildings to attract more customers, while adding to the beauty of our downtown business district. Another strategy is to facilitate the development of a boutique hotel/inn in our business district. Wow! This would be a tremendous boom, as well as an attraction to many outside visitors and groups to host meetings in the central business district. We are not talking about a Hilton or Marriott, etc. — only a small hotel with access to our waterfront, shops and restaurants. This is the anchor needed for our business district, and we need to move forward on this issue and stop talking about it. We will speak to that at a later time, and I will give you my thoughts only. Our last strategy today is to complete signage and an information kiosk at the west end of Stewart Parkway near the maritime facility. This is under study at this time.

It has been my hope that these articles have been written to help readers understand that their WHDA is not just a group of people who talk about goals, but is working toward their completion. If you have a question, please feel free to call me. Until next Monday, please shop, dine and play in beautiful Washington! And always take a walk with the H-Rob.

Harold Robinson is the executive director of the Washington Harbor District Alliance.