City of Kenmore Washington
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The first Kenmore Downtown Plan was adopted in 2003. Since then, the Plan has been substantially implemented through the completion of The Hangar and the Town Square at Kenmore Village, a new library, several mixed-use developments, and a City Hall Campus.
Downtown Kenmore Technical Advisory Panel (TAP) Report (2024)
On March 6 and 7, the City welcomed 10 expert panelists from various disciplines (architecture, economic development, planning/placemaking, real estate, sustainability, and diversity, equity and inclusion). These panelists made up the Downtown Kenmore Technical Advisory Panel (TAP), which was sponsored by Urban Land Institute (ULI) Northwest and paid for through grant funding provided by the Washington State Department of Commerce. The ULI TAP was tasked with helping the City answer 4 key questions, help identify potential investment and redevelopment opportunities throughout the downtown area, and to inform the next phase of Kenmore’s Downtown Plan.
The 4 key questions for the panelists were:
1) How does the City ‘jump-start’ the next phase of the Downtown Plan?
2) Why is the City of Kenmore being left behind with regard to development investment comparted to our neighbors (i.e., Bothell, Woodinville)?
3) What tools and partnership opportunities may the City consider to leverage public/private investment in Downtown?
4) How does the City incentivize and inspire long-time property owners in seeing the vision for Downtown Kenmore and allow for redevelopment?
Through the review of background plans and data provided by the City, a background presentation from City staff, a brief walking tour of the primary downtown area (identified on the graphic below, aka “The Bullseye”), and interviews with several community stakeholders representing local businesses, property owners, community organizations, and residents, the ULI panelists presented their preliminary observations and recommendations at the end of the two-day event. The recommendations focused on three key areas to support and enhance Kenmore’s unique identify and foster a vibrant downtown: Social, Physical, and Economic Infrastructure.
A final report was produced for the City, which city staff presented to the City Council on July 15, 2024. Beginning in 2025, City Council and staff will begin discussing and preparing next steps for the next iteration of the Downtown Plan.
For any questions, please contact Todd Hall, Principal Planner, thall@kenmorewa.gov.