Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Downtown Recertification topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Kent staff push for PSRC recertification of downtown; activity units exceed minimum and market analysis is planned
Summary
Planning staff reported progress on the Rediscover Downtown effort and said Kent already exceeds the PSRC activity unit minimum for a regional center (18 units required; city at 23). Staff outlined outreach, a granular land‑use assessment and a planned market analysis and pro forma to support recertification; staff aims for a September submission
Kent — City planning staff updated the council on the Rediscover Downtown initiative and steps to recertify the downtown center with the Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC). Staff said the downtown already exceeds the PSRC minimum activity unit threshold (18 required; Kent currently at 23) and highlighted next steps including market analysis, focused outreach and a pro forma to demonstrate market potential.
What staff presented: Planning staff summarized engagement to date (comp plan outreach, booths at community events, meetings with Kent Downtown Partnership and advisory groups) and a granular assessment that overlays vacant/underutilized land, pedestrian and bicycle facilities, economic opportunity areas and parking availability. Staff said the assessment shows substantial underutilized land pockets and walkability barriers on some major corridors; they proposed concentrating short‑term, high‑impact interventions rather than dispersing limited resources citywide.
Why PSRC recertification matters: Staff said recertification is necessary to qualify for certain regional grants and to improve competitiveness for PSRC scoring. "The comprehensive plan is required in order to even qualify to get in the door to say that you're allowed to submit," staff told the workshop. Meeting the PSRC center standards also supports grant competitiveness and signals regional role and readiness to potential developers.
Next steps and timing: Staff will complete a market analysis and pro forma to demonstrate future market potential, hold targeted outreach (including multifamily property visits and festival outreach) and convene an advisory group series beginning in May. Staff said they are aiming for a September recertification submission to PSRC and will report back with draft goals and policies in July–August.
Speakers and references used in this article are listed below.
