Archived Strategic Plans

Strategic Direction

• Compilation of One-Page Strategic Summaries for 2012 through 2017 (PDF) (January 2017) -This is a 6-page report that includes the One-Page Strategic Summaries from 2012 through 2017.
• 2017 Strategic One-Page Summary (PDF) (January 2017) - This is a one-page snapshot of the City's strategic priorities, measures, and action items for 2017.
• 2017 Fire Department One-Page Strategy Summary (PDF) (March 2017) - This is a one-page snapshot of the Kent Fire Department strategic priorities, measures, and action items for 2017.

Strategic Analysis

• 2016 Strategic Overview and Report Card (PDF) (January 2017) - This is a 2-page fold-out that provides a summary of the City's strategic planning process and strategic outcomes.

Strategic Direction

• 2016 Kent Strategic Brief Booklet (PDF) (January 2016) - This is a 4-page summary of the City's mission, vision, values, and strategic priorities for 2016.
• 2016 Strategic One-Page Summary (PDF) (January 2016) - This is a one-page snapshot of the City's strategic priorities, measures, and action items for 2016.

Strategic Analysis

• 2008 to 2015 Strategic Achievements Summary (PDF) (January 2016) - This is a 16-page report outlining the City's progress made towards the achievement of the City's strategic priorities from 2008 through 2015.
• 2015 Strategic Achievement Summary (PDF) (January 2016) - This is a 5-page report outlining the City's progress towards the achievement of the City's strategic priorities in 2015.

Strategic Direction

• 2015 Strategic One Page Summary (PDF) (January 2015) - this is a one page snapshot of the City's strategic priorities, measures and action items for 2015.

Strategic Direction

• 2014 Strategic One-Page Summary (PDF) (January 2014) - This is a one-page snapshot of the City’s strategic priorities, measures, and action items for 2014.

Strategic Analysis

• 2013 Strategic Overview and Report Card (PDF) (January 2014) - This is a 2-page fold out that provides a summary of the City's strategic planning process and strategic outcomes.

Strategic Direction

• 2013 Kent Strategic Brief Booklet (PDF) (January 2013) - This is a 4-page summary of the City's mission, vision, values, and strategic priorities for 2013.
• 2013 Strategic One-Page Summary (PDF) (January 2013) - This is a one-page snapshot of the City's strategic priorities, measures, and action items for 2013.

Strategic Analysis

• 2012 Resident Satisfaction Survey (PDF) (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 Council Activity Report (PDF) (December 2012) - This 4-page report provides a narrative with charts and graphs illustrating the areas of Council's strategic focus in 2012.
• 2012 Council Activity Summary Report (PDF) (December 2012) - This is a 3-page report that illustrates the time Council spent in session on the City's strategic priorities.
• 2007 to 2012 Strategic Achievements Summary (PDF) (February 2013) - This 9-page report lists the accomplishments and progress made towards the achievement of the City's strategic priorities from 2007 through 2012.

Strategic Direction

• 2012 Strategic Priorities Summary (PDF) (February 2012) - This is a 4-page brief that outlines the City's 2012 Strategic Priorities.

Action Plans

• 2012 Strategy Summary (PDF) (January 2012) - This is a one-page summary that ties measures to the City's 2012 Strategic Priorities.

Action Plans

• 2011 Strategy Summary (PDF) (January 2011) - This is a one-page summary that ties measures to the City's 2011 Strategic Priorities.
• 2011 City Strategic Activity Performance Summary (PDF) (December 2011) - This 2-page summary includes graphic summaries of Council focus areas for 2011.

Strategic Analysis

• 2010 Strategic Measures (PDF) (January 2010) - This is a one-page summary that ties measures to the City's 2010 Strategic Priorities.

Strategic Direction

• 2010 Strategic Priorities Summary (PDF) (February 2010) - This is a 4-page brief that outlines the City's 2010 Strategic Priorities.

Action Plans

• 2009 Strategy Update (PDF) (January 2010) - This 4-page fold-out summarizes the accomplishments towards the City's strategic priorities in 2009.
• 2007 to 2009 Strategic Accomplishments (PDF) (October 2010) - This 6-page summary lists the accomplishments towards the City's strategic priorities over a 3-year period.
• 2010 City Strategic Activity Performance Summary (PDF) (January 2011) - This 2-page summary includes graphic summaries of Council focus areas for 2010.

Strategic Direction

• Kent State Student Public Relations Campaigns (May 1, 2009) - This page contains three presentations full of planning ideas created by a Kent State Public Relations class.

Action Plans

• Downtown Redevelopment Presentation (PDF) (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 Strategy Update (PDF) (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.
• West River Retrospective (PDF) (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.

Strategic Analysis

• Strategy Process Workshop Presentation (PPT) (April 2008) - A strategic planning expert facilitated a 2-hour workshop with City Council; this is a copy of the PowerPoint used during the session.
• Multi-Modal Transit Study Pages 1 to 7 (PDF), Multi-Modal Transit Study Pages 8 to 14 (PDF), and Multi-Modal Transit Study Pages 15 to 21 (PDF) (September 2008) - These are summaries and excerpts from the Portage Area Regional Transportation Authority (PARTA)/Kent State/City of Kent mutli-modal transit study.
  • Map Attachments:
    • Bike Trail (PDF)
    • Cultural Map (PDF)
    • Land Use Map (PDF)
    • PARTA Routes (PDF)
    • Study Area Aerial (PDF)
    • Topographical Map (PDF)
    • Traffic Issues Map (PDF)
    • Transit Map (PDF)

Strategic Direction

• Multi-Modal / Justice Center / Downtown Concept Study (PDF) (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.
• Council Strategic Planning Work Session (PDF) (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.
• Proposed Kent Bike Plan (JPG) (October 2008) - this is a map of the proposed Kent bike routes.

Action Plans

• Sustainability Goals Progress Report (PDF) (August 2008) - This report discusses the progress made on the City's sustainability goals that are contained within the Bicentennial Plan.
• Chamber and Main Street Joint Downtown Study Priorities (PDF) (October 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.
• Community Strategy Framework (PDF) (November 2008) - This is a one-page strategic summary of the City's programs, policies and priorities.

Strategic Analysis

• Kent State Student Survey Results (PDF) (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.
• Kent State Students Kent Brand Analysis (PDF) (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.
• West River Neighborhood Survey (PDF) (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 versus after).

Strategic Direction

• 2007 Planning Retreat Agenda (PDF) (January 2007) - This is the agenda for Council's planning retreat in 2007.
• 2007 Retreat Cover Memo (PDF) (January 2007) - This is the City Manager's cover memo for the retreat in 2007.
• 2007 Retreat Packet (PDF) (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.
• Fire Staff Priorities (PDF) (January 2007) - This is a memo from the Fire Chief outlining the top staff priorities for 2007.
• Police Staff Priorities (PDF) (January 2007) - This is a memo from the Police Chief outlining the top staff priorities for 2007.
• Public Safety Staff Priorities (PDF) (January 2007) - This is a memo from the Public Safety Director outlining the top staff priorities for 2007.
• Public Service Staff Priorities (PDF) (January 2007) - This is a memo from the Public Service Director outlining the top staff priorities for 2007.

Strategic Analysis

• Kent Market Scan (PDF) (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 (PDF) that reviews Kent's market position relative to cost of City services and tax rates.
• Kent Branding Report (PDF) (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 State University (KSU) Kent Brand Analysis Pages 1 to 10 (PDF) and Brand Analysis Pages 11 to 19 (PDF) (Summer 2006) - This KSU class project provided an analysis of Kent brand opportunities.
• Citizen Budget Survey (PDF) / Citizen Survey 2006 (PDF) (November 2006) - This is a survey done in 2006 to gauge residents satisfaction with City services and funding levels.

Strategic Direction

• Bicentennial Plan National Conference Presentation (PDF) (2006) - This is a summary of the Bicentennial Plan process that won the City a national award for exceptional public planning.
• Central Business District Parking Goals and Supply (PDF) (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.

Action Plans

• City Council Budget Priorities (PDF) (August 2006) - This is a report on Council preferences for funding levels for City services and satisfaction with City services.
• Council Performance Audit (PDF) (January 2006) - These were documents prepared to assist City Council in understanding their role in policy making and improving leadership performance.
• City of Kent Organizational Profile (PDF) (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.

Strategic Analysis

• Kent Employee Survey Results (PDF) (October 2005) - These are 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.

Strategic Direction

• Kent Heritage Trail Plan Pages 1 to 12 (PDF) and Trail Plan Pages 12 to 24 (PDF) (Summer 2005) - This is a conceptual plan for a Kent heritage trail and signage program.
• Kent Economic Development Strategy (PDF) (October 2005) - This is a staff strategy report for economic development in the City of Kent.

Strategic Direction

• Staff Planning Session (PDF) (March 2004) - This is the agenda and minutes from a City staff planning session held in preparation for the Council planning retreat.
• Council Planning Retreat Agenda (PDF) (May 2004) - This is an overview of a Council retreat led by a facilitator from Kent State University in 2004.
• Mission Vision Values 2004 (PDF) (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.

Action Plans

• 2004 Bicentennial Plan Modifications (PDF) (2004) - This is a summary of position statements made by Council to clarify issues related to the campus link portions of the Bicentennial Plan.
• 2004 Council / Staff Priorities (PDF) (May 2004) - This is a listing of work sessions scheduled by Council over 7 months in 2004 to address critical community priorities.

Strategic Analysis

• 2003 Health Department Citizen Survey (PDF) (2003) - This is a survey conducted by the Health Department in 2003 that provides useful data on citizens' community health concerns.

Action Plans

• Kent Bicentennial Plan (PDF) (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 (PDF) from the International City Manager's Association.
  • Introduction (JPG)
  • Campus Link Neighborhood (JPG)
  • Route 261 and 43 (JPG)
  • West Main Street (JPG)
  • Appendix B - District Meeting Results (PDF)
  • Appendix C - Schedule of District Meetings (PDF)
  • Appendix D - Goals for Sustainable Development (PDF)
  • Appendix E - City of Kent 2000 Census Data (PDF)
  • Appendix F - Parking Action Committee Report (PDF)
  • Appendix G - The Portage Hike and Bike Trail (PDF)
  • Appendix H - City of Kent Bike Plan Map
  • Appendix I - West Main Street Special Planning Area Design Guidelines (PDF)
  • Appendix J - Addendum Recommendations by City Council to the Bicentennial Plan

Action Plans

• 2002 City Council Priorities (PDF) (2002) - This is a listing of Council goals and priorities for 2002.

Strategic Direction

• Destination 2006 (PDF) (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 to 15 issues that the City needs to address based on a series of public input sessions.

Action Plans

• West River Revitalization Plan (PDF) (June 2001) - This plan provides an outline of revitalization opportunities for the West River Neighborhood.

Strategic Direction

• Downtown Campus Connection Study Pages 1 to 22 (PDF) and Connection Study Pages 23 to 40 (PDF) (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.

Action Plans

• 2000 City Council Priorities (PDF) and 2000 Council Rankings (PDF) (November 2000) - These reports include a text summary of Council priorities in 2000 and the actual rankings of each issue.

Action Plans

• 1999 City Council Goals (PDF) (1999) - This is a listing of the Council's top 9 goals in 1999.

Strategic Direction

• Haymaker Parkway Improvement Plan (PDF) (June 1998) - This concept plan was prepared to improve the character and development of this critical transportation corridor in downtown Kent.

Strategic Direction

• City University Relations Study and Goals (PDF) (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.

Strategic Direction

• Green Enterprise Corridor Plan Pages 1 to 15 (PDF) and Corridor Plan Pages 15 to 30 (PDF) (1994) - This plan was developed to protect the watershed that provides drinking water for Kent, Franklin Township and Ravenna.

Action Plans

• Empowerment Zone Strategic Development Plan (PDF) (1994) - This community developed plan was prepared in conjunction with Kent State University to identify needs and opportunities for Kent redevelopment.

Strategic Analysis

• Visions of a New Era Pages 1 to 24 (PDF), New Era Pages 25 to 46 (PDF), and New Era Pages 46 to 74 (PDF) (February 1993) - This report was prepared by the Urban Design Center, Cleveland State University, Kent State, and a Council-appointed Committee to come up with a vision for the future of Kent's downtown core.

Strategic Direction

• Economic Development Strategy (PDF) (February 1993) - This is an overview of the primary elements of the City's economic development strategy in 1993.
• River Edge Park and Trail Plan Pages 1 to 22 (PDF), Park and Trail Plan Pages 23 to 47 (PDF), and Park and Trail Plan Pages 48 to 74 (PDF) (March 1993) - This plan was prepared to guide the development of the River Edge Park in downtown Kent and connector bike trails.
• Vision 2000 (PDF) (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.

Strategic Analysis

• West River Neighborhood Survey (PDF) (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.