KDRA
Kelso Downtown Revitalization Association
There's been numerous starts, and some minor successes over the years in revitalizing Downtown Kelso. There's been several consultants hired, committees organized, and efforts waged. It was difficult, if not impossible, to get the ball really rolling until one major issue was dealt with - a new Allen Street Bridge.
In 2004 the new City Hall building was completed Downtown, immediately adjacent to the new Allen Street Bridge that necessitated the new City Hall. During the construction of the new bridge, city buildings, including the old City Hall originally built in the early 40's and included the Police Dept., was taken out to accommodate the new bridge, as well as several well known older buildings. Kelso lost two complete blocks on the south side of Allen Street, and several buildings immediately south of those.
The construction of the new bridge, while a beautiful bridge, created a lot of new problems, but was done in such a way as to be able to capitalize on its existence as much as possible. The new bridge is exceptionally well built, low maintenance, and was built without raising taxpayer dollars locally. In partnership in constructing the $25 million bridge were the Burlington Northern Railroad, Washington State Department of Transportation, Federal Bridge Replacement Program and the City of Kelso. The Railroad made us go over the tracks, and the Fed's made us keep it where it was.
The involvement of entities outside of Kelso - necessary by the sheer cost of constructing bridges - forced the City to cut a swath through a portion of the historic downtown.
Today, we have a new and beautiful City Hall that provides all services (except library) under one roof, reducing duplicated internal services and dramatically reducing the overhead cost for the citizens of Kelso.
As a follow up to the Phase I (2005 Berryman & Henigar, Gregg Waddell) & Phase II (2006 BHC Consultants, Gregg Waddell) reports, in 2007 the City of Kelso undertook yet another run at revitalization with the hiring of BHC Consultants from Seattle. Greg Waddell and Roger Wagoner from BHC worked with the steering committee appointed by the Kelso City Council to develop goals and objectives based on these reports. These reports are exhaustive and provide an excellent foundation upon which we carry on today with what could be considered Phase IV - The Kelso Downtown Revitalization Association.
Helping to fan the flames of Revitalization, we now have in our Downtown the addition of Work Source, the Washington State Employment Services 'one stop' facility located immediately South of the new City Hall. We have several newer businesses Downtown, as well as a few older, very viable businesses that have provided stability in our community over the many years they've contributed.
Your participation is wanted and needed. Please go to the "Membership" page to join, and check out "Member Links" page to see who's already on board.
We look forward to seeing you soon!