The monthly retainer approach provides a defined number of hours per month of real estate and community development service. The value proposition here allows for enough dedicated time and service to help  our clients navigate the real estate development process from start to finish,  or any segment in between.  This approach works well with clients  who either don’t have a staff person dedicated to economic development or need to augment their current staff with additional expertise.

Another approach is a not-to-exceed fee for those clients who want a specific project or phase completed as part of a larger redevelopment effort being undertaken by the organization.

We also offer a 1 to 2-day vision/idea session to explore various economic development ideas and options.

  • "Bob did a phenomenal job as the Interim City Manager for the City of Mill Creek. The way he approached our challenges was a testament to his ability to be strategic, focused, and successful. He got the City back on track, guided and empowered staff, successfully developed the City Budget and Capital Improvement Plan as well as accomplished many other significant tasks and projects." Bob is a visionary that can get even the most challenging projects successfully completed. I highly recommend him.

    John Steckler, Council member City of Mill Creek, Washington

  • “Bob has been a trusted advisor on all things economic development. His vast economic development (and city manager) experience and past accomplishments make him a credible, knowledgeable advisor to the Council as well. He negotiated two favorable purchase and sale agreements quickly and developed a thorough request for qualifications (RFQ) process for recruiting a well-qualified developer partner – he wrote the RFQ and oversaw the interview, background check and selection process. We were thrilled to have nine excellent developers submit a RFQ! Bob has great follow-through, is always available, and knows how to balance driving for results in a highly political environment. I highly recommend working with him!”

    Julie Underwood, City Manager City of Mercer Island, Washington

  • “Bob was instrumental in assisting us with the recruitment of a new Economic Development Manager and helping us to refine our economic development strategies. His practical experience as a City Manager, working with community and council economic development goals, helps provide a practical base of knowledge to identify key priorities to accomplish our goals. His experience in understanding the need for public amenities, place-making and infrastructure through development along with the needs of developers to meet their financial pro formas and development timelines were invaluable in helping us to make smart recommendations and choices”.

    Debbie Tarry, City Manager City of Shoreline, Washington

  • "Bob Stowe and Stowe Development & Strategies is my go-to solution to helping communities make their economic and growth plans a reality. He and his team’s unique and detailed approach to engaging the community in the process is the secret sauce that makes his approach work. I highly recommend Bob and Stowe Development & Strategies to any community looking to deliver game-changing results."

    Tom Hoban, co-founder The Coast Group of Companies (Commercial Real Estate) Everett, Washington

  • Bob is recognized as a visionary leader and exceptional talent in economic development having led efforts in both Mill Creek and Bothell to transform those communities respective downtown’s into thriving and vibrant centers of prosperity. As both a City Manager and consultant, Bob’s creative and innovative approach to economic development is why Lakewood has chosen him to help us revitalize our Pacific Highway commercial corridor. We have found his expertise, entrepreneurial approach and understanding of public-private partnerships to be invaluable.

    John Caufield, City Manager City of Lakewood, Washington

  • “As City Manager of Bothell, Bob envisioned and lead one of the success stories of revitalization in the Country. His adeptness blended the adroitness for public policy with the entrepreneurialism ability to attract developers, users and tenants, public support and capital. The initial phase of a new City Hall, repositioning and saving the Anderson School by partnering with McMenamins, creating additional parking which encouraged further development was a well-conceived strategic move. He knew that a successful first phase was key to his City’s Downtown success story. Bob is a winner”.

    Robert Holmes, Developer and Real Estate Consultant, THG, LLC, Seattle, Washington