2007/08 Kent Downtown Partnerships Accomplishments &
On-Going Projects & Task Forces

Design Committee

• Historic Lighting for Meeker Street. Currently working with the city’s Public Works department to encourage historic light fixtures for the historic district. The city Public Works Dept. will be changing the cobra lighting on Meeker to a Historic look.

• Streetscapes – Potted Plants & Hanging Baskets. In coordination with the city we worked to improve the overall look & encouraged single department planting & maintenance.

• Façade Improvement Matching Grant Program. Utilizing the B&O Tax Refund Monies, the Design Committee crafted this program to create an opportunity for members to improve their facades, signs, and awnings. To date two business owners have taken advantage of these matching grant monies. Two more businesses have submitted applications. Assisted the Beavers in new store fronts for Children’s Bookshop & Children’s Hospital Thrift.

• Utilized the expertise of the UW Graduate Design Students to help property owners in their façade improvement plans.

• Fourth Annual Downtown Clean-Up – Over 100 Volunteers participated.

• Safety & Security Committee. This pro-active committee brings together city and county police, Sound Transit, Kent Station & Historic District in an effort to act quickly should an issue arise.

• Storefront Windows. In an effort to conceal the empty storefront windows, we hired a painter to paint scenes on the windows.

Economic Development Committee

• Winter Building Lights. In coordination with the city of Kent, we contracted with a professional lighting company to improve the overall look of downtown, with buildings outlined in LED white bulbs. We are continuing with this project to complete the lighting-up of six more downtown buildings.

• Light Pole Banners. Created and hung seasonal banners for the Holiday/Winter and the Spring/Summer. Seasons. We are currently creating additional banners to serve as an entrance to the historic district on Second Ave.

• Seattle Thunderbirds & Kent Events Center . We are in the process of creating a working relationship with both entities. Spearheaded a very successful “Welcome to the Seattle Thunderbirds”.

• Canyon Drive Billboard. Continued to advertise on the Canyon Drive Outdoor Billboard promoting the Historic District & Kent Station.

Promotions Committee

• Target the RJC. Met with the Jury Room staff to create a better working relationship. Added new restaurant menus to the notebooks we keep at the RJC. Distributed $560 worth of $5 gift certificates to seated jurors.

• Advertised in South County publications. Working with the Economic Development Committee, the Promotion Committee increased our marketing efforts: advertised on a downtown Kent map (distribution 20,000); flyers promoting events were placed in the Seattle Times at a distribution of 55,000; continued distribution of a Historic District restaurant guide; advertised on the back cover of the 2008 KOA Guide & Travel Web Sites; created a promotional piece for restaurant tables promoting Historic District retail & restaurants, collected restaurant menus to place in notebooks in the jurors waiting room to encourage dining in the historic district. As a “pilot project” we gave $5 Gift Certificates to jurors at the Regional Justice Center.

• Held Annual Promotional Events. Continued with the Fourth Annual Spring into Art; the Third Annual Wine, Women & WOW;Holiday Open House and Winterfest. Wine, Women and WOW netted $7,000, which will help to fund Winterfest. The KDP is the major sponsor of the very successful First Avenue South Block Party.

Organization Committee (Board of Directors)

• Raised funds through the B&O Tax Credit - $78,900 in 2007.

• Staffing. Identified and filled staff needs for the KDP office.

• Property Owners. Utilizing the Downtown Breakfast Hour and the Matching Grant Program we have encouraged more property owner involvement with the KDP

• Parking. In coordination with the city, we were able to increase parking on Harrison by 50 stalls.

• Finance Committee . This committee was created to look at all KDP financial issues and bring their findings to the board.

• Sidewalks, Trees & Light Posts. Working with the city of Kent to encourage that the $4 million grant funds were directed toward improvement in the Historic District. Additionally, we asked a Public Works staff member to report on the progress to the Board meeting.

• Photographer. We are working with a local photographer to cover KDP events. We now have a library of pertinent professional photos to promote Kent Downtown.

• Pedi cab. In an effort to further promote the downtown merchants, KDP’s photographer purchased a Pedi cab, built a trailer to hang framed photographs of the downtown businesses.

• Newspaper articles. Maintained an outstanding relationship with newspaper management and staff. Recommended numerous feature articles on significant issues to the Kent Reporter, Kent Magazine, and the Business Report.

• Annual Dinner/Auction Committee – The attendance at the 17 th Annual Dinner/Auction was the highest ever at 180. Both the presentation of awards and the Silent and Live Auctions went very smoothly.

• Downtown Breakfast Hour – Due to the economic difficulties some downtown businesses are experiencing, this committee took a different turn from its regular program and focused on the issues we are faced with at this time. Including property owners, city staff, business owners and KDP member.

• Networking Committee – This committee held monthly socializing events, whenever appropriate we co-host these events with the Chamber. One event was held at the Valley Bank Financial Center, showcasing 5 members, as well as the “Welcome to the Seattle Thunderbirds”.

• Merchants Committee. Continued to meet with historic district merchants to discuss solutions to the current downturn in the business community. As recommended we created a table tent, numerous Historic District business articles in the newsletter, updated and distributed the “Tear Sheet” (map and listing of retail & restaurants); dining guide; and a calendar of events.

• Membership Committee. Increased from 125 to a total of 165 members. This committee has been making contacts to potential members and offering discounts and marketing opportunities. They have planned a membership “Wine & Cheese” reception to be held on Tuesday, September 23rd.