The City of Kent has released a draft of the ReDiscover Downtown Kent Plan and is asking residents, business owners and other stakeholders to review the document and submit feedback. The plan is intended to update the city’s 2013 Downtown Subarea Action Plan and guide how downtown will grow and change over the next 20 years.
Purpose and study area
According to the city, the draft reflects community-identified vision and goals for downtown Kent’s future. It is framed to respond to shifting economic conditions, workplace trends and regional growth expectations while reinforcing downtown’s role as the heart of the city. Key focus areas include targeted investments, land-use strategies, infrastructure improvements and partnerships to promote a more vibrant, inclusive and economically resilient downtown.
The ReDiscover Downtown Study Area covers the designated Regional Growth Center (RGC) boundary plus surrounding blocks that connect downtown to adjacent neighborhoods. Geographically, the study area extends from Kennebeck Avenue S to 64th Avenue S, crossing over State Route 167.
How to comment
The city has provided multiple ways for the public to weigh in. Comments submitted through the city’s online review will be publicly visible. Email and mail options are also available, and there will be a public hearing before the Land Use and Planning Board.
- Online: review the draft plan and submit comments directly in the document (comments visible publicly).
- Email: FutureKent@KentWA.gov.
- Mail: Long Range Planning, Economic & Community Department, 220 4th Avenue S., Kent, WA 98032.
- Public hearing: July 27, 2026, 6 p.m., City Council Chambers, 220 4th Ave S.
To ensure inclusion in the official record, the city asks that email or mailed comments be received by 4 p.m. on July 27, 2026. Written or verbal comments can also be offered at the July 27 hearing.
"Downtown Kent is one of the Puget Sound Regional Council’s designated Regional Growth Centers," the city said, noting the area is expected to include a dense mix of businesses, government and cultural facilities, transportation connections and housing.
What the plan aims to do
The draft plan identifies strategies to support infill and redevelopment that align with the community’s economic, environmental and transit goals. It also outlines potential investments and partnerships intended to boost downtown’s vibrancy and economic resilience without changing the city’s statement that these approaches are meant to reflect community input gathered during the planning process.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Time horizon | 20 years (update to 2013 plan) |
| Study area | Kennebeck Ave S to 64 Ave S, crossing SR 167 (includes RGC) |
| Key goals | Targeted investments, land use strategies, infrastructure improvements, partnerships |
For Kent residents, the plan’s outcome will help determine where housing, transit-supportive development and public amenities may be prioritized in coming years. How the city balances redevelopment, transportation projects and community priorities will shape downtown’s character and economic role in the region.
Residents who want to read the draft and leave comments should use the city’s online review tool or submit comments by email or mail before the stated deadline. The Land Use and Planning Board will accept testimony at its July 27 hearing in City Council Chambers.
