The city of Kent wants residents to take an online survey about future downtown development, including whether they would consider living downtown.
City officials sent out a media release Thursday that it wants community input for the development of what’s called the Downtown Subarea Action Plan (DSAP).
Residents can take the survey at VentureDowntownKent.com.
With so many changes in the past seven years, city planner Gloria Gould-Wessen said new ideas are needed.
“What was once an adhesives manufacturing plant, Kent Station is now a one-stop location for shopping and dining,” Gould-Wessen said. “ShoWare Center has brought sports and entertainment to our community, and we have a historic core in downtown that adds interest and charm.
“And coming next year, City Center, a mixed-use apartment building with retail on the lower level will finally bring downtown living to Kent. These were just a few of the many actions recommended in the 2005 DSAP, and with all the progress we’ve seen, it needs to be refreshed.”
Seattle developer Goodman Real Estate Inc., plans to start construction next year on a five-story, mixed-use development to include approximately 164 apartments and 3,700-square feet of retail space, at the corner of West Smith Street and Fourth Avenue. That’s the site of the old half-built parking garage.
A steering committee of local business owners, community groups, city leadership and interested residents is providing creative ideas and acting as a sounding board as the city moves forward with drafting the downtown development plan.
“I’m very excited to hear what residents have in mind,” Gould-Wessen said. “Undoubtedly, there are good ideas out there that will help us to develop an action plan which we will finalize at the end of the fall.”
Kent is the sixth largest city in Washington with a population of 119,100.
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