Washington Main Street Program.  The state Main Street Program (Program) provides technical assistance for local comprehensive downtown or neighborhood commercial district revitalization initiatives.  The Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation (DAHP) operates the Program through a contract with the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation.  DAHP provides initial site evaluations by technical specialists, training for local programs and staff, and design and implementation assistance to local governments, businesses, organizations, and property owners undertaking revitalization initiatives.  DAHP also may provide financial assistance for initial start-up costs for a local program.
 
DAHP may designate local downtown or neighborhood commercial district revitalization programs and official local Main Street programs for such assistance based on certain criteria including:

• the degree of interest and commitment to comprehensive downtown or neighborhood commercial district revitalization and historic preservation by both the public and private sectors;
• the evidence of potential private sector investment in the downtown or neighborhood commercial district;
• a downtown or neighborhood commercial district with sufficient historic fabric to become a foundation for an enhanced community image;
• the capacity of the organization to undertake a comprehensive program and the financial commitment to implement a long-term downtown or neighborhood commercial district revitalization program that includes a commitment to employ a professional program manager and maintain a sufficient operating budget;
• DAHP's existing downtown revitalization program's tier system; and
• the National Main Street Center's criteria for designating official Main Street cities.

 
DAHP may not designate a program undertaken by a local government with a population over 190,000 people.

The limit of having a population less than 190,000 within the local government's boundary is clarified to be determined at the time of designation.  The Program statute that outlines the duties of DAHP in administering the program is not applicable to any local downtown or neighborhood commercial district revitalization program unless the boundaries have been identified and approved by DAHP.