Dave Ruller

Construction In Kent

June 19, 2018 by Dave Ruller

As we head in to the 2019 budget season, we’ve been starting to review some of our traditional community metrics, including construction investments going on in Kent.

From a revenue perspective, the City only receives a small fraction — about 5 cents on the dollar — of property taxes but property investments are still a good indicator for the overall health of the local economy.

Generally speaking, when investments are up, the economy is improving — and the City will receive income taxes for construction workers while they’re working in Kent and that helps the City’s bottom line.

Whether investments are going up or down is somewhat relative because it’s tough to compare anything to the enormous investment that coincided with the downtown redevelopment. Everything seems down after that era.

In the 11 years prior to the downtown redevelopment (1999 thru 2010) commercial construction investment in Kent averaged $6.5 million a year. Coinciding with the downtown redevelopment in 2011 and 2012 commercial investment jumped to an average of $55 million/year (an increase of 745%).

In 2017, the mix of new public and private investment kept construction investment levels approximately double the pre-downtown redevelopment 10 year average but well below our 2011 peak.

What we think that means is that Kent is holding it’s own, is viewed as an investment worthy community, but we don’t want to let ourselves get complacent.

Kent Area Chamber of Commerce

June 18, 2018 by Dave Ruller

Nothing tells the small town story like a hometown Chamber of Commerce — and that’s exactly what the Kent Area Chamber of Commerce does for Kent’s businesses big and small.

Nobody throws a ribbon cutting party like the Kent Chamber — and while it seems like a small gesture, it is hugely appreciated by new business owners who need customers to know their open to give their business dreams a chance to succeed.

The Kent Chamber does so much for Kent, so often, that I imagine it would be easy to take what they do for granted, so I thought I’d play the role of public conscience and remind everyone to thank their Kent Chamber staff for all they do.

Don’t worry that won’t take long, despite the remarkable output coming from their office, it’s only a 2 person staff, best known as Lori and Anne, with a little help from some interns when they’re lucky.

Record setting business membership in the Chamber doesn’t happen by chance, it’s a testament to the great work and reputation that the Chamber staff have earned — and their quality events that consistently feature an outstanding local business line-up.

The Kent Chamber is a great ambassador for Kent’s businesses, sponsoring events, pitching local goods and services, celebrating successes, and generally promoting everything good about the Kent business community.

The Chamber makes it look easy but it’s not, so this year when you see Lori or Anne at their little Heritage Festival event that they like to throw each year, please take a minute to thank them for what they’ve done and continue to do for Kent.

Treno Patio

June 16, 2018 by Dave Ruller

I’m told that the new outdoor patio seating at the Treno restaurant in downtown Kent is just about complete and ready to see some dining action.

It looks great, and with nice weather, I’m sure it will be as popular outside as it’s been inside.

Another Way to Fix Potholes

June 15, 2018 by Dave Ruller

Another way to fix potholes…eat more pizza!

Domino’s Pizza has announced a new program where they will roll their paving trucks into town and help repair city streets.

Read the Article

Pretty ingenious marketing tactic with a nice twist for the public good.

Concrete Repairs

June 13, 2018 by Dave Ruller

Before the City rolls-in to a neighborhood with the asphalt milling and paving machines, the Engineering Department will check the condition of the curbs, gutters and sidewalks on those streets to schedule those repairs in advance of the street repairs.

The idea is that streets, curbs, gutters, and sidewalks all work together to ensure safe driving, safe walking, and proper stormwater collection — so if you’re going to fix one, you need to make sure the rest of the team is in decent working condition as well. Plus, if you’re going to be in the neighborhood fixing stuff, let’s fix as much as we can while we’re there.

The City picks up the tab on the asphalt and a fair amount of the concrete work too, but the concrete work requires a little more house by house analysis to comply with the City Code which has a range of scenarios that split the concrete costs with the property owner.

Typically the City Engineers will try to coordinate the concrete work the season before the asphalt work is scheduled to be done. As they make their rounds, they take notes on what needs to be repaired, they figure out how much the job will cost, and then refer to the City Code to calculate how much the City will pay and how much the homeowner is expected to pay.

Once they’ve run those calculations, Engineering then mails letters to the effected homeowners to let them know the plan and to give them a first look at their projected cost.

The homeowner may have options available to reduce their costs — example, if the house is owner occupied, City Council has authorized a 50% reduction in the homeowner’s share of the bill, and if the owner can demonstrate that they fall into a “low to moderate income” category, City Council has authorized Engineering to pick up 100% of the costs.

Also, if they’re handy, homeowners can also save some money by doing the concrete repair work themselves or they may use a contractor of their choice.

The idea is to provide options for homeowners who would love to have the repair work done but may not necessarily have budgeted for the repairs.

Right now Engineering has mailed letters out to the next round of homeowners in line for concrete repairs so I thought it was a good time to review the process.

If anyone is uncertain of what to do, the best bet is to contact Pat Homin, City Engineering Technician, to talk through the options with him in person. His number is (330) 678-8106.

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