In its annual report, DKA President John Barber described 2013 as a “year of transition” for downtown Kingsport.
Sherri Mosley was hired as DKA’s new executive director and by mid-year moved DKA’s office from the historic Gem Theatre on Main Street to a Broad Street location.
A mid-summer flood affecting more than 65 businesses put Mosley in crisis management mode. She worked toward raising more than $62,000 to help 31 affected businesses offset clean-up expenses, according to DKA’s annual report.
Overall downtown retail sales, meanwhile, went up nearly 6 percent to $145.6 million in 2013, while the city of Kingsport reported property values increased by more than $8 million during the year. The city also said building permits for the year totaled $1.4 million, with property values increasing for 15 straight years.
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