Community Initiatives Director at Neighborhood Strategies
A respected leader in community planning, Kacey is known for her work in community engagement, program development, and stakeholder collaboration. With nearly 20 years of experience, she supports community activation and programming initiatives at Neighborhood Strategies, helping communities establish, renew, and manage special improvement districts. She also contributes to project administration, stakeholder engagement, and planning initiatives, including comprehensive and strategic plans and redevelopment assessments. Previously Director of Special Projects and Downtown C-Pass for the Capital Crossroads and Discovery Special Improvement Districts in Columbus, Kacey developed and managed a first-of-its-kind, nationally recognized transit pass program serving downtown employees. A dedicated community advocate, she serves on the Central Ohio Greenways Advisory Board for the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission and has previously served on the City of Columbus Mobile Food Vending Advisory Board, the Wonderland Columbus Board of Trustees, the Create Columbus Commission, and the State of Ohio’s Strategic Advisory Team for Economic Development. Through her work, Kacey focuses on building partnerships and activation programs that strengthen communities.
Special Improvement Districts (SIDs) are not just funding tools—they’re delivery systems that help neighborhoods consistently bring their revitalization visions to life. This session explores how SIDs support community health, safety, and vibrancy through coordinated services, placemaking, and partnerships. While many communities, particularly those with Main Street programs, have a strong vision for revitalization, they often face challenges related to consistent funding and implementation capacity. SIDs offer a structured, sustainable way to deliver day-to-day services that reinforce those efforts. Drawing on real-world examples from districts across Ohio, the session will highlight how SIDs enhance both the physical environment and lived experiences of residents, employees, and visitors, while working alongside existing revitalization and preservation efforts. Key Topics: o How SIDs contribute to perceived and actual safety (clean + safe programs, ambassador services) o The role of maintenance and environmental quality in supporting public health and preservation o How SIDs reinforce and extend Main Street and downtown programming efforts o Leveraging partnerships with local governments, Main Street organizations, and private stakeholders to encourage neighborhood vibrancy o Translating revitalization vision into consistent, visible outcomes