about us
Vision
Olympia's historic downtown is the heart of our region, buoyed by a colorful and welcoming environment, a rich diversity of people and positive experiences, and an activated, engaged community.
Mission
Act as a catalyst for a vibrant and thriving downtown through service to businesses and property owners.
VALUES
EFFECTIVENESS We deliver quality service to the community, achieving results and positive growth.
INNOVATION We meet downtown challenges with fresh thinking and ideas, always maintaining optimism and hope.
RESPECT We build trust, honoring past, people, and place.
TEAMWORK We collaborate both within the organization and with all downtown stakeholders.
INCLUSION We actively support a sense of belonging for all engaging with our downtown.
GOALS
ADVOCACY Channel the voice of the downtown businesses and other stakeholders to compel action in both local and state government.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Develop programming and leverage community partnerships to support a vibrant downtown economy, including current and future businesses.
FINANCIAL HEALTH Ensure varied funding sources and efficient business practices that lead to long-term fiscal solvency for the organization.
IMAGEMAKING Improve the community's perception of downtown through enhancements to the physical environment, production of quality events and experiences, and strategic communications and marketing.
CLEAN, SAFE & HEALTHY Support a welcoming environment to ensure business success and a thriving downtown.
board of directors
Erik Johnson
President, Organization Committee Co-Chair Olympia Computer
Krista Bentow
Vice President, Organization Committee Co-Chair Batdorf & Bronson
Bobbi Kerr
Treasurer, Organization Committee
Olympia Federal Savings
Mindy Roberts
Secretary, Organization Committee
Union Gospel Mission
Shina Wysocki
Past President, Organization Committee
Chelsea Farms Oyster Bar
Michael Kershisnik
Design Committee Chair
Carve Architects
Janis Dean
Promotions Committee
The Popinjay
Jill Barnes
Economic Vitality Committee
Washington Center
Daniel Farber
Vibrancy Committee Chair
Temple Beth Hatfiloh
Greg Taylor
Double Tree by Hilton Hotel
Todd Monohon
Olympic Rentals
Sophia Landis
Promotions Committee
Sofie’s Scoops
Aslan Meade
Economic Vitality Committee Chair
Thurston EDC
Angela Maki
Promotions Committee Chair
Providence Swedish
Stacey Ray
Ex Officio, Non-Voting
City of Olympia
staff
Desiree Freeland
Executive Director
Desiree Freeland has been part of the Olympia Downtown Alliance team since 2021, initially joining as the Downtown Project Manager. Before joining the Alliance, Desiree worked with a similar Main Street program in DeLand, Florida. She brings a deep understanding of community-oriented business organizations and the importance of downtown connectedness. As Executive Director, Desiree is excited to continue developing community partnerships and strengthening the relationships between the downtown business community and the Alliance. She is passionate about downtowns, particularly Downtown Olympia, and is proud to represent the Alliance in furthering its mission.
Morgan Willie
Downtown Project Manager
As the Downtown Project Manager for the Olympia Downtown Alliance, Morgan is dedicated to advocating for our community through vibrant events and promotional initiatives. While new to this role, Morgan brings a strong foundation in project management and a passion for community engagement.
Morgan was raised in the Olympia area and is a graduate of North Thurston High School (Class of 2012). After earning a Bachelor of Arts from Gonzaga University in 2016, Morgan built a diverse professional background in video and event production. When not at the desk, Morgan can often be found exploring the beach trails at Tolmie and Burfoot parks, always accompanied by a great podcast or audiobook queued up for the journey.
Quillan Halverson
Operations Supervisor
Having grown up in Olympia, I see the Olympia Downtown Alliance as an opportunity to interact with our community in a purposeful way. I'm proud of the ability afforded by my position to return something to this community that has given me so much.
Within our organization, there is so much activity that speaks to the dedicated ethos of the organization. As the Alliance increases our capacity to serve our stakeholders, it's exciting to see our potential impact with marginalized communities, potential business owners looking for guidance and support, and the social events that keep the artistic and vibrant aspect of Olympia at the forefront of people's experiences.
Elliot Pridmore
Guide
As a Downtown Guide, I'm passionate about enhancing our city's core. Building relationships with visitors, residents, and local businesses is incredibly rewarding. I enjoy being on the front lines, contributing to a vibrant and welcoming downtown. The Alliance team's dedication to the community is inspiring, and I'm excited about our potential to create even more engaging events and support for all.
Hunter Williams
Guide
I am excited to represent the Olympia Downtown Alliance as a part of the Guide program. Having the opportunity to connect with and form relationships with downtown businesses, residents and visitors to the community is just a small part of why I'm so happy to be part of the Alliance team. I feel that my engaging, upbeat personality and eagerness to provide quality service downtown, will only serve to be an asset to the Guide program. I look forward to continuing to build on the stellar reputation of the Olympia Downtown Alliance - one positive interaction at a time.
Sage Archer
Guide
As a Downtown Alliance Guide, I'm dedicated to engaging with local community members and visitors as a walking resource. As a graduate of The Evergreen State College, I bring a wealth of experience ranging from cultural studies to mixed media work. In addition, I have experience in environmental conservation from my time serving in Washington Conservation Corps. I have a strong background in connecting with diverse groups and am passionate about fostering meaningful interactions. I believe downtown Olympia is a vibrant, welcoming, and enjoyable community that I am excited to be a part of.
Stacy Simpson
Maintenance Worker
In my role with the Olympia Downtown Alliance, I get to meet and greet many different people coming downtown to shop and enjoy the area. In my role, out on the street, I get to develop relationships with business owners, downtown employees and downtown visitors daily. I enjoy maintaining and improving the appearance of downtown Olympia, and the comments I receive about the beauty of the hanging baskets or the cleanliness of downtown, encourage me to continue to do my best to make and keep downtown Olympia a pretty place to be.
primary partners
documents
committees
Main Street Approach
Downtown Olympia, like many of Washington State's communities, is using the National Main Street Center's Main Street Approach™ effectively to address the complex and changing issues facing the Downtown Business environment. At the center of this approach are the Downtown Alliance's five committees. These committees work to achieve the organization's goals by leveraging the energy, skillsets, and commitment of the committee members.
The ORGANIZATION COMMITTEE involves building a solid Main Street framework that encourages fiscal stability and thoughtful deployment of resources. A strong organization provides the structure and stability to build and maintain a long-term Downtown revitalization effort.
The PROMOTIONS COMMITTEE helps to create excitement and vibrancy downtown. Downtown events, retail promotions, storytelling, and image development campaigns are some of the ways the Downtown Alliance markets what’s going on Downtown and encourages customer traffic.
The DESIGN COMMITTEE works to enhance the look and feel of the commercial district. Historic building rehabilitation and new ground-up development, street and alley clean up, landscaping, signage, visual merchandising and lighting all improve the physical image of the Downtown as a quality place to shop, work, walk, invest in and live.
The ECONOMIC VITALITY COMMITTEE involves analyzing current market forces to develop near and long-term solutions for the visibility of Downtown businesses. Providing business assistance services, education and training opportunities, and advocating for a business friendly regulatory environment are examples of economic vitality activities.
The DOWNTOWN VIBRANCY COMMITTEE works to ensure that the environment Downtown is clean, safe and welcoming for all of those coming Downtown. Best practices are researched and employed that can help achieve these foundational tenets that enable a vibrant, thriving Downtown.
If you would like to be considered for committee membership on one of these committees, please contact Executive Director, Desiree Freeland at (360) 357-8948.
contact us
The Office
Physical Address: 115 State Avenue, Olympia, WA 98501
Mailing Address: 120 State Ave NE, #1031, Olympia, WA 98501
Phone: (360) 357-8948
Email: info@downtownolympia.org
Business Hours
Monday - Friday 8am to 5pm
Saturday - Closed
Sunday - Closed