DATE: August 23, 2018
TO: Members of the Economic Development Authority
FROM: Nate Carlson, Economic Development Coordinator
Chris Heineman, Community Planning & Development Director
Title
Urban Land Institute Navigating Your Competitive Future Workshop Review
Body
SUMMARY:
ULI Minnesota is a division of the Urban Land Institute (ULI), a nonprofit research and education organization with a mission of providing leadership in the responsible use of land and creating thriving and resilient communities. ULI MN advocates for progressive development practices focusing on sustainability, smart growth, compact development, place making, and workforce housing.
In an effort to better understand the current demographic trends, market preferences, and future growth opportunities in the Northfield area, city staff invited ULI/MN to conduct a "Navigating Your Competitive Future" (NCF) workshop on Wednesday, August 1. The NCF workshop was an opportunity for City leaders to interact with a panel of private sector and industry professionals regarding the local challenges and opportunities for development and redevelopment in today's economic reality.
Representatives from the City Council, Economic Development Authority (EDA), Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA), and Planning Commission were invited to participate in the workshop. The video of the panel discussion has been posted to the City of Northfield YouTube page at the following link: https://youtu.be/pGfYBTpjm8o.
Following the workshop, ULI staff members Gordon Hughes and Cathy Bennett provided a summary of key observations expressed during the panel discussion and dialogue. A memorandum with this information as well as an electronic copy of the ULI/MN presentation is attached for your review. Some of the observations specific to local business and market growth include the following:
* Development need not come at the expense of downtown
* The Great Recession seriously affected the development com...
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