The Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation (the Department) operates the Washington Main Street Program, which provides technical assistance to businesses, property owners, organizations, and local governments undertaking a downtown or neighborhood commercial district revitalization initiative and management strategy. 

Technical assistance provided through the Main Street Program may include initial site evaluations, training, and program design assistance.  To the extent funds are made available, the Department also provides financial assistance to local governments or local organizations to assist with costs associated with downtown or neighborhood commercial district revitalization programs.

The Department designates local downtown or neighborhood commercial district revitalization programs and official Main Street programs according to 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; 
• whether a downtown or neighborhood commercial district has 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; 
• the Department's existing downtown revitalization program's tier system; and
• the National Main Street Center's criteria for designating official Main Street cities.

The Department may not designate a local downtown or neighborhood commercial district revitalization program or official local Main Street program if the program is undertaken by a local government with a population of 190,000 people or more.

The statute that outlines the duties of the Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation (the Department) in implementing the Main Street Program is not applicable to any local downtown or neighborhood commercial district revitalization program unless the boundaries of the program have been identified and approved by the Department.  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.