One year ago this month, Kim Klingler joined the Columbia Pike Revitalization Organization (CPRO) as its new Executive Director. An Arlington resident for 18 years, she has brought a wealth of knowledge about the community and skills to the organization that has proven invaluable.
“I am grateful to have the opportunity to merge both my professional knowledge with my passion for this community,” says Klingler.
In her first year leading CPRO, Klingler has accomplished a great deal, prioritizing increased community and business engagement, developing greater partnerships with Arlington County, advocating for the community’s growing transportation needs, encouraging increased private investment, and bringing greater visibility to Columbia Pike across the region.
Here’s a look back at the past year under Kim Klingler’s leadership:
In partnership with Arlington Economic Development’s BizLaunch, Klingler and CPRO staff have developed a new business engagement program, Launch & Learn. The first event was held in January at the Arlington Cinema and Drafthouse where local business owners and managers gathered to discuss the recently released Columbia Pike Commercial Market Study. The Market study, conducted by consultants for Arlington County, was also a significant priority for Klingler as she worked with AED staff, County Senior Leadership, and the County Board to prioritize the consultant’s recommendations.
In recent months, Klingler has also worked with local property owners, the Arlington County Chamber of Commerce, AED, and other stakeholders to address the ever changing world of retail business and the recommendations within the Market Study. She has conducted several meetings and gathered various feedback on zoning regulations, signage ordinances, and more to develop suggestions for County staff that could serve to encourage increased private investment along Columbia Pike and connect investors to the Pike’s diverse communities. A draft of these suggestions have been shared with County leadership, the County Board, and the Arlington Chamber of Commerce, and will be finalized for public consumption in the next 30 to 60 days.
Over the past year, CPRO’s membership has increased by 40% due to Klingler’s efforts to increase community engagement and give local residents and businesses a greater sense of pride in our organization. She has also increased engagement through the institution of new Member Mixers and worked to gain more visibility for the organization through greater active participation in local groups, advisory councils, and panels. The organization is now an active member of the Vision Zero Working Group, Community Progress Network, Form Based Code Advisory Working Group, and Arlington Civic Federation, among others.
Klingler has also strengthened the organization’s relationships with existing partners such as the Pike Presidents Group and various County departments. CPRO now meets regularly with County communications staff to ensure our staff is apprised of important projects that affect Columbia Pike in order to better assist with the creation of informational materials, dissemination of important information, and to ensure that Columbia Pike residents’ concerns are heard. Klingler has particularly focused on ensuring the public is kept up-to-date on transportation projects including construction of new transit stations and the ongoing multimodal project.
As transportation options expand and Columbia Pike sees greater connection to our region, Klingler has also worked to build relationships with partners beyond the Pike. At this year’s Columbia Pike Progress Luncheon – scheduled to be held on April 30 – a panelist of speakers will represent various areas in the region to discuss what these regional partners are working on, Columbia Pike’s progress and challenges, and how we can connect with our partners to build a better future for the Pike and greater region as a whole.
In addition to all of the great work Klingler has done in expanding CPRO’s outreach and programming, she has also implemented new strategies and resources to increase the organization’s internal capacity and is currently leading the organization in the strategic planning process.
With one year coming to a close, Kim Klingler has accomplished a great deal and the CPRO staff and Board of Directors are grateful to have her with us. We look forward to her continued leadership and exciting plans she has put forth for the coming fiscal year.
