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The City of Kelso is accepting proposals to select a qualified professional surveying firm to provide comprehensive professional surveyor services in support of the Community Development Department on an as-needed basis for a two-year period.  Full Request for Proposal

The West Kelso Subarea Plan will help establish a vision and guiding principles as part of a larger subarea planning effort in the West Kelso neighborhood. The vision and guiding principles will be based largely on public input and form the basis for the subarea plan which will generate a blueprint for a continued revitalization effort and economic development strategy. The subarea plan will address the many challenges and opportunities facing West Kelso and provide significant opportunities for public input. The City and consultant team looks forward to hearing from you.

This survey is intended to help identify challenges and assets in the community so that they may inform priorities for West Kelso’s future.

For other opportunities to participate visit the West Kelso Subarea Plan webpage

On September 16, 2015, City Manager Steve Taylor gave a State of the City presentation at the Kelso-Longview Chamber of Commerce Quarterly Luncheon. Click here to view the 2015 State of the City presentation.

The City of Kelso and Love Overwhelming have come to a mutual agreement to resolve the issues in the drug abatement lawsuit pertaining to the non-profit agency’s emergency shelter facility at 304 Cowlitz Way and other security concerns that impact the community.  The City of Kelso, Cowlitz County and Love Overwhelming will continue to work collaboratively to provide services to the homeless population of our community while ensuring the safety and livability of the surrounding neighborhood.

The City of Kelso, in association with Socrata today announced the implementation of Open Budget, a suite of breakthrough open data financial transparency apps for government.  Open Budget is designed for quick deployment and citizen empowerment.Open Budget Kelso can be accessed directly at http://budget.kelso.gov or through the City’s website at www.kelso.gov/budget.  The City Council will receive a walk-through demonstration of the application at its July 21st, 2015 regular meeting held at Kelso City Hall at 6:00pm. Click here to view the full press release.

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The Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Council of Governments, in partnership with the city of Kelso, Washington, requested technical assistance from EPA's Smart Growth Implementation Assistance Program to develop a smart growth economic development strategy focusing on the South Kelso neighborhood, specifically downtown Kelso, the South Kelso residential community, and the Talley Way industrial area.

Using Smart Growth Strategies to Foster Economic Development: A Kelso, Washington, Case Study (2015) aims to help cities like Kelso rethink how to address economic development challenges with small, manageable solutions that create stronger, more resilient communities. A smart growth economic development strategy needs to support businesses and workers and improve quality of life. Smart growth approaches bring together these elements and recognize the balance among them and the need to create long-term value in addition to short-term gains.

The report can be accessed through the EPA's website.

The City of Kelso is pleased to announce the release of its Draft Shoreline Master Program and supporting documents for public review and comment. The City Council will do a final review of the document on July 7 and authorize staff by resolutionto submit the program for final approval by the Department of Ecology.

The City of Kelso is pleased to announce the adoption of its updated Comprehensive Plan
 

The City adopted an updated Master Fee Schedule on 10/21/2014

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