Wil Russoul hired as Aberdeen Main Street executive director

Published 7:00 pm Tuesday, January 23, 2018

Wil Russoul, who has been at the forefront of an effort to breathe life into downtown Aberdeen by growing the music scene, has been hired as executive director for Aberdeen’s fledgling Main Street program.

Russoul has envisioned a music district downtown and has promoted it informally under a couple of names, 98520, and The Alley. He is a musician himself and often pairs local businesses with local musicians looking for a place to play, something he considers mutually beneficial; musicians and artists get a venue, and Russoul thinks a variety of music at a variety of businesses would benefit all downtown by promoting more foot traffic.

The Main Street program is designed to give downtown districts the tools to improve the look, feel and economy of the downtown core. It also provides business tax credits for businesses within the core, and grants for downtown improvements. Aberdeen Mayor Erik Larson and Aberdeen Revitalization Movement President Gary Jones have been pressing for Main Street designation for months, and the Aberdeen City Council approved funding for a director — required by the program — last year.