2009 Kent Downtown Partnership Accomplishments & On Going Projects

 These are just a few of the things KDP is involved in:

1. Add two new members to each committee and increase participation; some committees did grow committees

2. Add a commercial real estate broker to the board; added:
   
   a. Jim Bell, Windermere Commercial Real Estate
   b. Chad Gleason, Retail Realty

3. Open lines of communications with Lion Club to improve relationship; work in progress

4. Hold annual dinner/auction program; hosted on 6/20/2009

5. Present 3 KDP downtown breakfast hours; hosted one Feb/May/Sept 2009

6. Have 10 networking events throughout the year; completed

7. Host Downtown Clean-Up Day; accomplished in May 16th

8. Advocated for improved safety and attractiveness in downtown Kent; partnered with City on planters; joined “adopt a spot” program; assisted with lights by submitting a list of non-working lights to Puget Sound Energy and City.

9. Award “Design Awards” at KDP dinner/auction; accomplished

10. Partner with ShoWare Event Center to promote downtown businesses; this has been accomplished with notifications to businesses the availability to advertise with SMG as well as a class educating how businesses can advertise w/o cost

11. Encourage businesses to have an on-line presence; accomplished by hosting social media classes

12. Create a Downtown Design and Maintenance Guidebook; a draft was completed

13. Work with City to attract residential development; ordinance was pasted allowing residential in downtown Kent

14. Work with owner of Meeker Emporium building; continue to work with owner and the City of Kent on this

15. Fill three vacant storefronts with retail business; Valley Cities going into old Ben Franklin building in 2010, Pottery-fic in property between Gowe & Meeker on Second Avenue, Intimate Pilates in former Bella Home & Garden site on First Avenue

16. Update Kiosk and map at Regional Justice Center sidewalk; boxes on kiosk are repaired-working on updated map

17. Maintain billboard on Canyon Drive; did so until contract was cancelled

18. Select annual award for best restaurant and best retail; recognized winners at annual dinner

19. Host events; hosted the Holiday Open House, Winterfest, Spring into Art, Wine, Women &Wow, August event-Annual Picnic

20. Staff booth at weekly Farmer’s market; Roger Gouin was there representing KDP

21. Sponsor First Avenue Block Party; did sponsor part of the event

22. Designed and produced 7, 5 foot A-frame signs directing people to downtown core

23. Added significant members to Economic Development Committee tying downtown relationships with ShoWare Event Center, Seattle Thunderbirds and Kent Predators, community property developers/brokers

24. Invited in and education three potential developers in the area for downtown development

25. Find It in Kent shop local campaign was kicked off.