The City of Kent has a strong legacy of community planning that was recognized with a national award for planning excellence in 2005 for the Kent Bicentennial Plan. Below is a listing in chronological order (newest at the top, oldest at the bottom) of the various iterations and elements of Kent’s strategic plans.
The links are color coded to match up with the strategic component sections as follows:
1. Strategic Analysis
2. Strategic Direction
3. Action Plans
2. Strategic Direction
3. Action Plans
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2012
2012 Council Activity Summary Report (December 2012) — this is a 3 page report that illustrates the time Council spent in session on the City’s strategic priorities.
2012 Resident Satisfaction Survey – (September 2012) — this is a 76 page report outlining the findings of a telephone survey of City residents on satisfaction with City services and priorities.
2012 Strategy Summary – (January 2012) — this is a one page summary that ties measures to the City’s 2012 Strategic Priorities.
2012 Strategic Priorities Summary – (February 2012) this is a 4 page brief that outlines the City’s 2012 Strategic Priorities.
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2011 City Strategic Activity Performance Summary (December 2011) — This 2 page summary includes graphic summaries of Council focus areas for 2011.
2011 Strategy Summary – (January 2011) — this is a one page summary that ties measures to the City’s 2011 Strategic Priorities.
2010
2010 City Strategic Activity Performance Summary (January 2011) — This 2 page summary includes graphic summaries of Council focus areas for 2010.
2007 to 2009 Strategic Accomplishments — (October 2010) this 6 page summary lists the accomplishments towards the City’s strategic priorities over a three year period.
2010 Strategic Priorities Summary – (February 2010) this is a 4 page brief that outlines the City’s 2010 Strategic Priorities.
2010 Strategic Measures – (January 2010) this is a one page summary that ties measures to the City’s 2010 Strategic Priorities.
2009 Strategy Update — (January 2010) this 4 page fold out summarizes the accomplishments towards the City’s strategic priorities in 2009.
2009
West River Retrospective(December 2009) — this is a 6-page review of the history of the West River project and the results this economic development / neighborhood revitalization plan produced.
2008 Strategy Update (May 21, 2009) — this is a 2 page brochure that provides a short summary of the progress made in 2008 towards the City’s Strategic Goals.
Kent State Student PR Campaigns (May 1, 2009) — this page contains three presentations full of planning ideas created by a Kent State PR class.
Downtown Redevelopment Presentation (March 18, 2009) — this is a copy of a presentation provided to City Council and the town/gown community at the Bowman Breakfast that illustrates how the various projects in the downtown redevelopment action plan fit together and complement one another.
2008
Community Strategy Framework (November 2008) — this is a one page strategic summary of the City’s programs, policies and priorities.
Proposed Kent Bike Plan (October 2008) — this is a map of the proposed Kent bike routes.
Multi-Modal Transit Study Pages 1 to 78 to1415 to 21 (September 2008) — these are summaries and excerpts from the PARTA/Kent State/City of Kent mutli-modal transit study. Map Attachments: Transit MapTraffic Issues MapStudy Area AerialParta RoutesLand UseCultural MapBike TrailTopo Map
Sustainability Goals Progress Report (August 2008) — this report discusses the progress made on the City’s sustainability goals that are contained within the BiCentennial Plan.
Council Strategic Planning Work Session (July 2008) — these are the summary notes from a Council strategic planning session that focused on setting priorities and determining the most critical issues facing the community.
Multi-Modal/Justice Center/Downtown Concept Study (May 2008) — this study provided some preliminary review and analysis to look at the concept of how a downtown transit center, city/county justice center and downtown revitalization project might fit together from an urban design perspective.
Strategy Process Workshop Presentation (April 2008) – a strategic planning expert facilitated a 2 hour workshop with City Council and this is a copy of the powerpoint used during the session.
Chamber & Main Street Joint Downtown Study Priorities (Oct. 2007 to April 2008) — these are notes and findings from a series of joint Kent Chamber and Main Street Kent meetings evaluating redevelopment priorities for downtown Kent.
2007
West River Neighborhood Survey (October 2007) – this is follow up to the 1992 West River Neighborhood survey that summarizes the opinions of the residents regarding the value of the improvements done in the last 15 years (before vs. after).
Kent State Students Kent Brand Analysis – (March 2007) – this is a 6 page branding report that was done as a Kent State class project that provides insights into Kent’s market position from the students perspective.
Kent State Student Survey Results (February 2007) – this is a broader survey of Kent State students that offers market insight into Kent’s strengths and weaknesses from the students perspective.
2007 Planning Retreat Agenda (January 2007) – this is the agenda for Council’s planning retreat in 2007.
2007 Retreat Cover Memo (January 2007) – this is the City Manager’s cover memo for the retreat in 2007.
2007 Retreat Packet (January 2007) – this packet includes a summary of the retreat objectives, a summary of Council priorities, and a summary of 3 recent citizen priority surveys.
Public Safety Staff Priorities (January 2007) – this is a memo from the Public Safety Director outlining the top staff priorities for 2007.
Public Safety Staff Priorities (January 2007) – this is a memo from the Public Safety Director outlining the top staff priorities for 2007.
Police Staff Priorities (January 2007) – this is a memo from the Police Chief outlining the top staff priorities for 2007.
Fire Staff Priorities (January 2007) – this is a memo from the Fire Chief outlining the top staff priorities for 2007.
Public Service Staff Priorities (January 2007) – this is a memo from the Public Service Director outlining the top staff priorities for 2007.
2006
City of Kent Organizational Profile (December 2006) – this is an overview of the City of Kent’s planning and management functions and capabilities that was completed by City staff working with a Kent State class as part of an effort to get hands on experience using the Malcolm Baldrige criteria.
Citizen Budget Survey / Citizen Survey 2006 (November 2006) – this is a survey done in 2006 to gauge residents satisfaction with City services and funding levels.
City Council Budget Priorities (August 2006) — this is a report on Council preferences for funding levels for City services and satisfaction with City services.
Central Business District Parking Goals and Supply (August 2006) — these are the parking goals defined by the Parking Action Committee for the central business district and data collected on downtown parking supply.
KSU Kent Brand Analysis (pages 1 to 10) (pages 11 to 19) (summer 2006) — this KSU class project provided an analysis of Kent brand opportunities.
Kent Branding Report – (April 2006) – this is a concept report performed by staff to better define Kent’s position in the marketplace, specifically identifying Kent’s advantages and opportunities as a community.
Kent Market Scan – (February 2006) — this staff report compares population, housing and other demographic and city service trends in Kent with peer cities. More comparative information is also available in the Tax Rates Comparison report that reviews Kent’s market position relative to cost of city services and tax rates.
Bicentennial Plan National Conference Presentation (2006) – this is a summary of the Bicentennial Plan process that won the City a national award for exceptional public planning.
Council Performance Audit (January 2006) – these were documents prepared to assist City Council in understanding their role in policy making and improving leadership performance.
2005
Kent Heritage Trail Plan (pages 1 to 12)(pages 12 to 24) (summer 2005) — this is a conceptual plan for a Kent heritage trail and signage program.
Kent Economic Development Strategy (October 2005) – this is a staff strategy report for economic development in the City of Kent.
Kent Employee Survey Results (October 2005) – this is the results of an internal survey of City staff that was done to identify the strengths and weaknesses within the City organization from the employees’ perspective.
2004
Mission Vision Values 2004 (May 2004) – this is a summary of the mission statement, vision statement and core values developed in a series of staff and Council meetings in 2004.
Council Planning Retreat Agenda (May 2004) – this is an overview of a Council retreat led by a facilitator from Kent State University in 2004.
2004 Council – Staff Priorities (May 2004) – this is a listing of work sessions scheduled by Council over 7 months in 2004 to address critical community priorities.
Staff Planning Session (March 2004) – this is the agenda and minutes from a City staff planning session held in preparation for the Council planning retreat.
Bicentennial Plan Modifications 2004 (2004) – this is a summary of position statements made by Council to clarify issues related to the campus link portions of the Bicentennial Plan.
2003
Kent Bicentennial Plan (November 2003) — this award winning document provides a comprehensive plan for the City of Kent based on the principles of sustainability. Read the National Award from the International City Manager’s Association.
Introduction
Campus Link Neighborhood
Route 261 and 43
West Main Street
Appendix B – District Meeting Results
Appendix C – Schedule of District Meetings
Appendix D – Goals for Sustainable Development
Appendix E – City of Kent 2000 Census Data
Appendix F – Parking Action Committee Report
Appendix G – The Portage Hike & Bike Trail
Appendix H – City of Kent Bike Plan Map
Appendix I – West Main Street Special Planning Area Design Guidelines
Appendix J – Addendum Recommendations by City Council to the Bicentennial Plan,
Introduction
Campus Link Neighborhood
Route 261 and 43
West Main Street
Appendix B – District Meeting Results
Appendix C – Schedule of District Meetings
Appendix D – Goals for Sustainable Development
Appendix E – City of Kent 2000 Census Data
Appendix F – Parking Action Committee Report
Appendix G – The Portage Hike & Bike Trail
Appendix H – City of Kent Bike Plan Map
Appendix I – West Main Street Special Planning Area Design Guidelines
Appendix J – Addendum Recommendations by City Council to the Bicentennial Plan,
Health Dept. Citizen Survey 2003 (2003) – this is a survey conducted by the Health Department in 2003 that provides useful data on citizens’ community health concerns.
2002
City Council Priorities 2002 (2002) – this is a listing of Council goals and priorities for 2002.
City Council Priorities 2002 (2002) – this is a listing of Council goals and priorities for 2002.
2001
Destination 2006 (May 2001) — this is a report presented to City Council in 2001 from a Steering Committee of key community stakeholders that outlines the top 12 – 15 issues that the City needs to address based on a series of public input sessions.
West River Revitalization Plan (June 2001) — this plan provides an outline of revitalization opportunities for the West River Neighborhood.
2000
Downtown Campus Connection Study (pages 1 to 22)(pages 23 to 40) (2000) — this study was completed by the Urban Design Center in response to community concerns for development and connectivity between the downtown district and the Kent State campus.
City Council Priorities 2000 and Council 2000 Rankings (November 2000) – these reports include a text summary of Council priorities in 2000 and the actual rankings of each issue.
1999
1999 City Council Goals (1999) – this is a listing of the Council’s top 9 goals in 1999.
1998
Haymaker Parkway Improvement Plan (June 1998) — this concept plan was prepared to improve the character and development of this critical transportation corridor in downtown Kent.
1996
City University Relations Study and Goals (July 1996) – this is the final report of a joint City-University study that evaluated town gown relations, and identified strengths, weaknesses and opportunities for improved collaboration.
1994
Green Enterprise Corridor Plan (pages 1 to 15)(pages 15 to 30)(1994) — this plan was developed to protect the watershed that provides drinking water for Kent, Franklin Township and Ravenna.
Empowerment Zone Strategic Development Plan (1994) — this community developed plan was prepared in conjunction with Kent State University to identify needs and opportunities for Kent redevelopment.
1993
RiverEdge Park and Trail Plan (pages 1 to 22)(pages 23 to 47)(pages 48 to 74) (March 1993) — this plan was prepared to guide the development of the RiverEdge Park in downtown Kent and connector bike trails.
Visions of a New Era (pages 1 to 24)(pages 25 to 46)(pages 46 to 74) (February 1993) — this report was prepared by the Urban Design Center, Cleveland State University, Kent State and a Council apppointed Committee to come up with a vision for the future of Kent’s downtown core.
Vision 2000(October 1993) — this is the final report of a group of community leaders that convened a series of community input sessions to identify and recommend community priorities to City Council.
Economic Development Strategy – (February 1993) – this is an overview of the primary elements of the City’s economic development strategy in 1993.
1992
West River Neighborhood Survey – (1992) – this is the results from a survey of residents and businesses in the West River Neighborhood that led to the West River Revitalization Project.
Kent Strategic Plan Documents