The 2024 District Digest: A Year in Review

2024 was a busy year for King of Prussia District, marked by significant milestones and exciting progress!

From completing a decade-long project to expanding our Research & Data Analytics program to introducing new events, we made great strides in connecting and supporting our community. We also celebrated the 10-year reauthorization of King of Prussia District and wrapped up a year-long Community Engagement Project, setting the stage for even greater achievements ahead.

Here’s a look at some of the accomplishments we’re most proud of this year:

• District Reauthorization: We secured approval from the Upper Merion Township Board of Supervisors to extend our neighborhood improvement district status through 2035 and increase our assessment fees for the first time since our founding in 2010.
• New Team Member: We welcomed Qi Guo as Manager of Research & Data Analytics. Qi leads the charge in building out a more robust research and data program, a major goal of the 2024-2029 Strategic Plan.
• Office Expansion: Our office at 234 Mall Boulevard grew to accommodate a full-size conference room, additional offices, in-office storage facility and a soft-seating area for informal meetings.
• Community Engagement: We completed our first-ever Community Engagement Project, gathering valuable feedback from KOP’s employees, residents and visitors through surveys, pop-ups, interviews and focus groups. These insights will inform our 2025 engagement plan.
• Community Giving: We contributed $101,688 to local causes, including $57,695 to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s KOP Campus raised during KOP Restaurant Week and KOP Shops for CHOP; $31,698 to Upper Merion Area Community Cupboard raised during Igloo Garden on the Green; $7,295 to support events and community sports teams; $3,000 to UMASD for student scholarship; and $2,000 to Upper Merion Township’s Department of Public Safety on behalf of First Responders Appreciation Week sponsors.

Marketing & Events

• HQ KOP Campaign: Our expanded business recruitment advertising campaign targets C-Suite executives and included new 30-second and 15-second commercials on streaming channels, along with billboards, ads on SEPTA buses, trains, digital ads and placements in Regional Rail stations.
• Event Highlights: We hosted 37 events and pop-up activations, partnering with 245 KOP businesses, and engaging thousands of employees, residents and visitors. New highlights include Parking Lot Tournaments and Bright Bash.
• KOP Restaurant Week and KOP Shops for CHOP: This year’s event included 24 fine dining restaurants, 9 fast casual spots, 16 retailers and 14 Community Champions. Held in conjunction, Block Party for CHOP brought 1,110 visitors to KOP Town Center for games, entertainment and raffles. This year’s campaign raised $57,695 for Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s KOP Campus, bringing our 10-year total to $424,006!
• KOP Takes out Hunger Food Drive and Igloo Garden on the Green: Co-produced by Conlin’s Print and benefitting Upper Merion Area Community Cupboard (UMACC) this was our largest drive yet, with 32 boxes KOP collecting 3,319 lbs of food. We extended Igloo Garden on the Green to 2-weeks and raised an incredible $31,698 for UMACC, the single largest donation that the food pantry has ever received. In April 2024, we received a Philadelphia Business Journal Partners in Philanthropy Award for our 2023 event.
• Digital Growth: Ensuring that VisitKOP.com is the go-to resource for all things KOP, we published 97 blog articles in 2024, up from 74 in 2023. We also transitioned our Annual Report to the Community from a printed publication to a dynamic, interactive website this year. The site is a valuable resource to track KOP’s incredible transformation.
• Corporate Sponsorship: We exceeded sponsorship goals this year, raising $122,050 to support our events. We would like to thank all event sponsors, but especially our Presenting Sponsors: Budget Emergency Services, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Riley Riper Hollin & Colagreco, SERVPRO of KOP and Volpe Enterprises.

Research & Data Analytics

• Housing Report: Building on the 2020 Multifamily Report, this report provides actionable recommendations for stakeholders by analyzing trends in construction, market prices, affordability, migration and school impacts.
• Available Commercial Space Database: We launched a database on our website, updated monthly, tracking over 30 available properties to provide accurate listings of currently available commercial property to support local economic development efforts.
• Quarterly and Monthly Reports: Our quarterly Commercial Reports continue to provide valuable information about King of Prussia’s performance across a variety of sectors. This year we infused our monthly e-newsletters with more data-driven articles, highlighting important trends and market insights.
• KOP Data Dashboard: Launching in early 2025, the KOP Data Dashboard will feature interactive graphs and maps covering key markers across 14 topics. This powerful tool will provide stakeholders with an easy-to-navigate platform for exploring King of Prussia’s key economic and demographic metrics.
  

Transportation

• First Avenue Linear Park: The First Avenue Linear Park is officially complete, with the addition of solar-powered pedestrian light poles and light bollards this past fall. In October, we hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate this ‘complete streets’ initiative, that enhanced safety and accessibility for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists in Moore Park.
• Montgomery Award: We were honored to receive a 2024 Montgomery Award from the Montgomery County Planning Commission for the multimodal design and planning, collaborative process and innovative programming for the First Avenue Linear Park and Road Diet Project.
• Grants Awarded: The Moore Road Multimodal Trail and Linear Park Project was awarded grants totaling more than $1.7M from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Department of Community & Economic Development, Commonwealth Financing Authority and Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. With these funds, in partnership with Upper Merion Township, we will create final designs and move into constructing the multimodal trail along both sides of Moore Road, connecting First Avenue to the Schuylkill River Trail.

Physical Improvements

• Renaissance Park Signage: Informed by the Renaissance Park Stakeholder Engagement Study, we completed the wayfinding signage project, installing 3 gateway signs, 21 directional signs and 21 driveway address signs. The result is an enhanced appearance and cohesive brand throughout Renaissance Park’s right-of-way.
• Renaissance Park Connectivity Study: In partnership with Simone Collins Landscape Architecture, we presented the study to the Upper Merion Board of Supervisors, property owners and stakeholders in early 2024. The study proposed pedestrian, bike and vehicular improvements and amenities including connections between properties, public transportation and surrounding neighborhoods.
• Moore Park Signage: In collaboration with D2, we presented the Moore Park Exterior Sign Master Plan and Design Guidelines for gateway and wayfinding signage to the public last September. Installation will begin in 2025.
• Recharge Park: Working with Stuart & Associates Landscape Architecture & Planning, we completed schematic designs for a new public space along the First Avenue Linear Park. Designs feature planting beds, pedestrian trails, amenities, and both passive and programmable spaces. Following permitting, construction will begin in 2025.

Land Use & Zoning

• Fiscal Impact Study: We partnered with Upper Merion Township to begin a study to assess the fiscal impacts of development on township revenues and expenses. Through our Land Use and Zoning program, we are contributing funding to support the township in hiring Urban3, a third-party consultant for this analysis.
• Property Owner Support: We assisted property owners with land use and zoning challenges, including issues related to signage, parking and general development. Additionally, we provided advocacy to township officials to help move projects forward.
• Comprehensive Plan: We collaborated closely with Upper Merion Township during the township-wide Comprehensive Plan discussions, focusing our advocacy on housing, commercial development, mixed-use development and parks/trails.
• Business Recruitment: We took a proactive approach to attract the types of development Upper Merion Township has prioritized. Notable examples include outreach to medical and sports facilities, where significant progress has already been made.