The three block area along First Street extending from Oaks Avenue through Wright Avenue and from Railroad Street to Second Street encompasses the historic downtown of Cle Elum and has a large number of existing historic structures. The purposes of this district are to acknowledge this historic area; to maintain and complement existing historic buildings; to keep the small retail shop feeling on the street level and to encourage complementary uses on upper floors; and to reinforce it as a pedestrian oriented area with a high level of pedestrian amenity; and to reestablish this area as the civic and retail core of the city. Over time it is the objective to restore the historic street facades to maintain the authentic small town feeling.