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3. o Physical Assessment <br />3.1 Background <br />In addition to the market assesment, this project engaged in a physical assessment of downtown <br />Ellensburg to evaluate how it is performing, ways in which it can improve, and how it can <br />continue to serve both locals and visitors as evidenced in the market study. The following maps <br />provide insight into the composition of downtown currently and set the stage for <br />recommendations that will follow. <br />3.2 Existing Conditions <br />Downtown Ellensburg is a Certified Main Street Community by the Washington and National <br />Main Street Programs. The boundary of downtown's official designation is 6d' Avenue to the <br />north, Ruby Street to the east, 2" d Avenue to the south, and Water Street to the west. Figure 5 on <br />the following page shows this boundary. The "heart" of downtown could be the subject of <br />debate but is generally accepted to be the Intemetion of Fourth Avenue and Pearl Street. It is <br />the home to the Rotary Pavilion which is the center point for many downtown events and is <br />bounded by some of the most distinctive architecture in downtown. A core of strong shopping <br />and dining options extend one to three blocks in every direction from this point. <br />Figure 6 shows downtown Ellensburg with amenities, attractions, and educational institutions. <br />These would include Morgan Middle School just outside of the core boundary to the south and <br />Central Washington University and its associated open spaces to the north of the downtown <br />boundary. Within the boundary are four city -owned parking lots, Rotary Pavilion, Rotary Plaza, <br />the Library, Friendship Park, a skate park, and a community garden. The core area is also the <br />home to the Ellensburg Farmers Market, which occurs on the East Fourth Avenue. <br />Figure 7 goes further to show recent investment in downtown Ellensburg and its immediate <br />surroundings. This is a critical exhibit in that it reflects on the dynamic nature of downtown and <br />is not designed to be comprehensive in nature. Investment in downtown is occurring in nearly <br />every part of the district and adjacent areas. Central Washington University is also actively <br />pursuing projects that will reinforce its presence on the south side of University Way. <br />In the center of town, the Goddis Building, mentioned in the introduction of this report, is <br />actively becoming full of storefront tenants. The Elks Building is under renovation into a mixed- <br />use development, Patricia Place apartments (36 units) were completed and are 100% occupied, <br />showing market demand for additional housing. New restaurants have opened, upper floor <br />residential development has been completed, and other renovations are underway. <br />This is a clear sign that downtown Ellensburg is enjoying significant investment, that Central <br />Washington University is growing in a direction that places key locations like a potential visitor <br />center for the campus closer to downtown, and that interest continues in the future success of the <br />community. The goal of the recommendations that follow is to illustrate the kinds of <br />investments that are possible, explore ways to make the visitor experience more vibrant, and <br />continue to invest in downtown. <br />22 <br />