a housing crisis here. So if we were to recruit a big industrial manufacturer who needs 4,000 workers, we couldn’t supply or support that.” The port authority has also invested directly in downtown infrastructure, purchasing 150,000 square feet of warehouse buildings with plans for a craft beverage district, demonstrating how economic development and urban planning intersect in smaller markets. DOWNTOWN RENAISSANCE IN PROGRESS Small-city downtowns across America tell similar stories of vacant storefronts, struggling retailers, and evening emptiness. Wenatchee’s downtown defies these trends, with over $130 million in active investment projects and a business environment where openings consistently outnumber closures. The transformation points to strategic planning and market fundamentals that have created sustainable urban vitality. “We represent around 530 businesses and every year we see more businesses open than we see close,” says Rosa Pulido, executive director of the Wenatchee Downtown Association.“One of the things that makes 217 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 08 WENATCHEE, WA VOLUME 4, ISSUE 01
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