Christina Strawbridge has rejoined Benicia Main Street, this time as a board member. (File photo)

Benicia Main Street announced yesterday that Christina Strawbridge, who previously served as an event coordinator for the organization for 10 years, will be returning as a board member.

“It’s kind of deja vu,” she said with a laugh. “I started out on the board many years ago, and Benicia Main Street is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.”

Strawbridge has had nearly 30 years of experience working in the community. She has been the owner of the clothing store Christina S Fashion Destination on First Street since 2006, was on Benicia Main Street’s board of directors from 1989 to 1992– the latter year as president, served on the Southern Pacific Depot Resoration Committee from 2000 to 2002, was a member of the Economic Development Board from 2006 to 2011 and most recently served on the City Council from 2011 to 2016.

Additionally, Strawbridge was also an event coordinator for Benicia Main Street from 1993 to 2003. As a board member, she will take part in monthly meetings, volunteer for events and serve on the design subcommittee.

One program currently being proposed by Benicia Main Street is the drain adoption program, which aims to make sure drainage systems in front of businesses are clear and clean them up if they are not.

“I think that’s a great idea, not only for the downtown but also as a pilot project maybe for the whole city,” Strawbridge said. “With the recent storms, city staff and the Public Works Department can only do so much, so it might be a good thing all around for the community.”

Strawbridge is happy to come back to a program she used to work with.

“It’s kind of nostalgic to come back to it, but it’s always been in my heart,” she said. “I believed the whole premise of the Main Street programs out of the historic trust in Washington when it first got started was an opportunity to revitalize the historic downtown. As a councilmember, I always made sure that Benicia Main Street got its funding. It’s a very important part of the essence of Benicia.”

“It’s going to be exciting to see the future of Main Street and the future of Benicia,” she added.

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