The fabric of community
Observer-Reporter
This 2017 photo shows Washington Citywide Development Corp. Executive Director Christy Bean Rowing in her office.
Christy Bean Rowing, executive director of Washington Citywide Development Corp., walks to her office in the former B&O station on South Main Street.
It didn’t take long for Christy Bean Rowing to fall in love with the City of Washington and its people. The Bethel Park native had just taken on the role of executive director of the City of Washington’s Citywide Development Corp. when she and her husband attended the first annual Italian Festival put on by Washington Winery and The Upper Crust restaurant. “The first event, I had nothing to do with, but it gave me a flavor for the people of the City of Washington,” Rowing remembers. “It was so neighborhood-focused, everybody knew everybody stomping grapes, tasting wine, tasting the spirits from our distilleries. From that moment on, I was hooked.”
That sort of fun neighborhood event is what Rowing, the CDC and the Observer-Reporter have in mind as partners in the return of First Fridays to downtown Washington this spring and summer. The idea is to highlight the city, and Rowing said these kinds of events dovetail with the grant-funded, 501(c)(3) organization’s mission. “Our mission statement is all about economic growth, neighborhood revitalization and quality of life for residents – and that’s a big task.”
Rowing says people wonder how to improve quality of life, and she believes community-based events are very much tied into that. “Friday and Saturday, where do you want to be? You want to be in your neighborhood, on our own Main Street and supporting your local businesses. That all comes into play with economic growth and urban revitalization.”
This past year, the CDC put on the Holiday Market at the Farmer’s Market Pavilion on Main Street, which coincided with the annual parade. More than 40 vendors took part, and the crowds showed up despite less-than-ideal weather. A scavenger hunt that paired students from Washington & Jefferson College with local businesses, including Washington Financial Bank, served a dual purpose – it was fun, sure, but it also connected and introduced the students to Washington. The past two months have brought educational programs for business owners in Washington and those who want to start businesses or expand their current small businesses. That education series took place in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration.
“Our job is to promote economic growth for the City of Washington,” explains Rowing, “to help with blight remediation and housing stock revitalization, to rehab or take down the stuff that isn’t so appealing and replace it with affordable housing. We want entry-level homes for families to come back to the City of Washington and be able to raise their families here in a nice environment.”
Again, she said it all comes back to quality of life, being involved in education initiatives and promoting job opportunities. She also believes small business is the lifeblood of any small town. “Small businesses are huge employers,” Rowing says. “Everyone thinks we need the huge factory, but small businesses are the ones who employ your neighbors and friends.”
Now that warmer weather is on the way, Rowing said the focus in programming shifts back to fun, outdoor community events. That includes four First Friday events starting next month, all being held at the Farmer’s Market Pavilion on Main Street and featuring live music and food vendors. The schedule kicks off in May with a car show, while June’s event will likely be centered around music. Rowing says First Fridays will skip July in deference to the popular Whiskey Rebellion Festival and return in August with a family and kid-themed event. September will wrap up the schedule with a fall harvest theme. Rowing says other events are in the works, including a possible farm-to-table event in the fall. The goal in all of CDC’s programming is to make Washington a better place to live, work and visit.
“We will learn a ton the first year from logistics to vendors and publicity and things like that,” says Rowing. “It’s important to sit back and take note of what works and what doesn’t for community events.”
She’s also excited about another upcoming campaign called, “Washington is Walkable” that’s still in the planning stages and will highlight walkable activities in the community. “Washington actually has a pretty high walkability score – which no one acknowledges,” she says. “But the fact that we have an urban grocer and all of these employers within a certain mile radius, we really should be parking our cars and walking more.”
Rowing is the CDC’s first paid employee – it formed in 2011 as a nonprofit, and funds from a recent state tax credit program allowed her hiring – and with less than a year on the job she’s already proud of recent progress in bringing many parties to the table with a common goal.
“I’m really proud of how well different organizations have come together so quickly,” she said. “I think my board of directors and the city and the councilmen and W&J and the hospital and the merchants … everybody wants the same thing. Everybody wants Washington to be successful, and everyone is coming together and pulling resources and ideas.”
For more information on the Washington County Auto Show and First Fridays, visit washcoautoshow.com.