With a crumpled neighborhood map in one hand and a cup of coffee in the other, a retail broker in the early aughts could woo tenants to a property without much fanfare.

We used to drive around in the car with a paper map withdots on it that showed our existing stores, competition and the major anchors in the market,JLL Managing Director ofRetail Real Estate Rob Franks recalls.

For Franks and other retail brokers, those simple days are long gone, replaced byanew technology-centered era. Tenant expectations have shifted, brokers have to have more specific data while also knowing a broader range of information, there are fewer appealing new-build spaces to offer clients, and the retail industry is being fundamentally reinvented.

What ouroccupier clients are asking us for ... today are light years different from what it was in the last cycle, back in 2006, 2007, 2008, CBRE Retail Managing Director for the South-Central DivisionDaniel Taylorsaid.What our clients are asking us for is to have more of an advisory role, almost take on a consulting role for them.

Adding to thisslippery slope is a declining new product pipeline, leaving brokers with fewer options to showcase.

The amount of retail space delivered in the U.S. reacheda peak of 222.4M SF in 2006 and then plummeted thereafter, hitting51M SF in 2019, according to CoStar data.

The precipitous decline in retail construction is not linked to demand or overall weakness in the market.Retail construction in Dallas-Fort Worthdropped by about half to1.8M SF in 2019, down from 3.5M SF in 2018, according toWeitzman. ButDFW and Texas as a whole continue to growinpopulation, and DFW'sretail occupancy ratereached a40-year high of 93%last year, Weitzmanreported.

What's really changing the rate of retail constructionis the type of fear that creeps into markets when they evolve quickly and face an onslaught ofstore closures on the traditional retail side,Cushman & Wakefield Capital Markets Group Director Chris Harden said.

In just the past few years,brokers have watched once stable, creditworthy tenants like Sears, Pier 1 Imports, Toys R Us and Payless Shoes struggle and close their stores.

Brokersthen have to find replacements for these units in a market where even the concept of apreferredcreditworthy tenant willing to sign a long-term lease is dying alongside these massive brands. At the same time, store closures create vacancies that put downward pressure on rents as construction costs rise, Harden said.

Thistransformation is chilling to developers and investors who are now less likely to dish out dollars tobuildnewer large product, according to Harden.

The developers that I talk to ... if they have plans for a power center, they have just shelved it, Harden said of the DFW market.It is not economically viable to build a new shopping center when the anchor tenants are not willing to pay if they don't have to ... the rents required for the developer to make a return.

Courtesy of CBRE

CBRE's Daniel Taylor with Elizabeth Herman, Kathrine Gillis and Jack Gosnell.

Technology To The Rescue

So where does this leave today's retail broker?

Brokers are now expected to revitalize old retail space, innovate new concepts for empty big-box retailslotsand deal with client demands that run a whole newgamut.

While retail brokersin the past offered general knowledge about square footage, neighborhood demographics and location, todays tenant and landlordexpects brokers to understand everything from e-commercestrategies to supply-chain distribution and neighborhood spending patterns, Taylor said.

Taylorrecalls about 15 years agowhen he would jump into hiscarwith a nationalretail client, and his research teamwould be in theback seat looking at thesite and using whatever data was available to estimate a property's potential sales.

It was a lot of art, he said.

Now competitive data is considered increasingly important to helpretailers around the globe stay afloat.

Technology has changed dramatically, Franks said.

Thesetech tools are no longer optional. The process of predicting consumer traffic at ashopping center has becomemore specific. For example, retail brokers can pull customer cellphone data.

We can look at different information from that data to say what's their education level? What are their spending habits? Taylor said.

I look at where we are now, and we have entire tour books on an iPad with an interactive map that can immediately pull up aerials that are showingall of [a client's] competition at an intersection and all of the major traffic generators, Franks said. We have traffic counts there,and we have demographics that are pulled immediately.

Brokers also use tech tools like Placer thatare embedded intocellphone apps, Harden said. Thesetools track cellphone usage in specificareas, allowing brokers toaccess data thatcreates a more direct correlation between where traffic is heading in aretailarea and a store'sprojected sales based on the traffic.

Landlord reps, on the other hand, have to besocial media savvy,Harden added.

He said it is important to recognize what retailers in a shopping center or potential tenants are good at driving traffic to their own locations via social media channels.If they drive traffic to one location, it creates a spillover effect that helpsother tenantsand the landlord.

Courtesy of Rob Franks/JLL

JLL Managing Director Rob Franks

Diverse Asset Types And Knowledge Sets

Today'ssuccessful retail broker is also one who understands every CRE asset type.

This is particularly true as e-commerce merges with theindustrial sector and retail development becomes more dependent on mixed-use development.

About 90%of new retail construction inDFW and Houstonis tied to themixed-use category,Harden said.

You have to be more knowledgeable of other property types if you are going to be in that genre of mixed-use," hesaid.

This is particularly true with many North Texas cities using retail possibilities as a benchmark for determiningwhether they will approve construction of apartments inside mixed-use developments, hesaid.

The idea behind this is the broker is responsible for marrying the right retail tenantto a certain office building or multifamily product inside these cohesive neighborhoods.

As stand-alone retail projects become more difficult to pencil in financially, mixed-use development is one way investors and developers can justify the build-out of new retail.

National trends also show more shoppers prefer the mixed-use concept today. About 78% of adults in the U.S. have said they would consider living in a mixed-use development, JLL reported in its Q22019 Retail Development Profile. Developers have responded by building more of this multifamily/retail/entertainment mixed-use product.

And to keep upwith howretailers engage with last-mile delivery hubs in the e-commercechannel, Harden recommends partnering up with industrial brokers or learning moreabout their product types.

I think there is a lot more crossover with the other product types than there ever has been before, so I think it'sprobably going to create some need for more collaboration with other product type specialists.

Finding A New Client Mix

Today'sbroker also is behind the eight ball iftheyarent finding new types oftenants to backfill traditional retail spaces while diversifying their overall clientbase.

In the last three years, we have done more medical deals in retail spaces than I have ever done previously in my career, Frankssaid. Additionally, we have done more speciality retail uses in traditional retail space than we ever have done before.

The alternative uses Franks has deployed at traditional stores include everything from online retail to entertainment with an esports component.

The trend of adding entertainment hubs or wellness centers also is growing nationwide.

Retail spaces assigned to non-retail or restaurant tenants increased from 19.2% in 2012 to 24.5% in 2018, according to JLL's Q22019 Retail Construction Outlook report. U.S. shoppers also grew their number ofvisits to fitness and wellness centers by 47%.

The food and beverage, entertainment and medical categories also saw shopper visits grow by 42%, 39% and 35%, respectively, according tothe same JLL report.

Unless brokers continue tofindnew long-term traffic-driving concepts to replace spaces left empty by traditional retailers,the next decade could prove difficultfor brokers.

Im always looking for new ways to innovate with retail, and I think if you are not, you are most certainly falling behind because it is going to continue to change and evolve, Franks said.

See the article here:
The Life Of A Retail Broker Is Never Going To Be The Same Again - Bisnow

A new four-story, 37-unit affordable housing development is underway on a vacant lot at the corner of Oak Park Avenue and Van Buren Street in Oak Park, Illinois. Boston-based nonprofit real estate developer, The Community Builders, is developing the project with a scheduled completion timeline of spring 2021.

Joseph J. Duffy Co. was selected to provide preconstruction services including preliminary budgets. The construction phase for the 801 apartments, designed by DesignBridge Ltd., is based on a lump sum contract with Duffy. A brick veneer and cement board siding system will cover a structural steel/light gauge steel/wood-framed building. A 28-car paved parking area, part of which is covered, an outdoor roof terrace, and a multipurpose room complete the project.

The development was approved by Oak Park in October 2018 but was delayed by a lawsuit filed by neighbors against the village in December 2018. Since the lawsuits dismissal in late October 2019, the development is moving ahead, filling several roles within Oak Parks housing community.

Besides delivering much-needed affordable housing for Oak Park, it is considered a transit-oriented development, said Joseph Beuttas, vice president of business development for Joseph J. Duffy Co. The site is located near public transportation, the Eisenhower Expressway and Oak Park Blue Line stop. Another unique feature is the live-work units, which will cut your commute to only seconds.

According to Kirk Albinson, project manager with The Community Builders, two live-work units flank the building, with one on Van Buren Street and the other on South Oak Park Avenue. The back of those units will have a one-bedroom dwelling unit with space in the front of the apartment that someone can use for a business or retail operation. When completed, an additional three studios, 30 one-bedroom and two two-bedroom units will be available. The ground floor will also house approximately 900 square feet of commercial space plus bicycle storage.

Continued here:
Construction begins on mixed-use affordable living building in Oak Park - REjournals.com

From the moment that Surdyks Flights opened at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport in 2010, customers began suggesting to its owners where else they should build a wine bar and cafe.

Literally, from day one, said Emily Surdyk with a laugh. And they always think its their idea. And we always pretend that were hearing it for the first time.

Following the unasked-for advice of probably every person they have ever met, the Surdyk family is adding to their restaurant holdings outside the airport.

They have christened their new venture Sidebar. When it opens this summer, the restaurant will occupy a portion of the familys landmark store in northeast Minneapolis.

Surdyks Liquor & Cheese Shop (303 E. Hennepin Av., Mpls., surdyks.com) dates to 1934. Its the fourth generation of Surdyks triplets Taylor Surdyk, Melissa Surdyk and Molly Surdyk, as well as Taylors wife Emily Surdyk who are the driving force behind Sidebar. The siblings got their start in the family business in the third grade, operating a sidewalk brat stand.

Each Surdyk before us has made their mark on the business, Melissa Surdyk said. Now its our turn.

Planning started in earnest two years ago, which led to a search of nearby properties in the burgeoning neighborhood, where hundreds of apartments are either planned, under construction, opening, or all of the above.

We knew it would be in Northeast, because thats us, Taylor Surdyk said. Weve been here since our great-grandparents.

Logic eventually had them looking within their own building.

Our customers are already here, Melissa Surdyk said. We like to feel that were a destination store, and this will only enhance the Surdyks experience.

Theres another asset, and its a valuable one: We have a parking lot, Taylor Surdyk said.

The casual, 60-seat restaurant will take over a section of retail space thats directly behind the cheese shop.

The cheese shop, which dates to 1979 and may pack more fine foods per square foot than any other Minnesota retailer, is also getting an overhaul: a sleek new look, a slightly enlarged inventory, but not much more elbow room. A walk-up window will cater to dog walkers and other quick-service customers, and the shop and restaurant will share a kitchen.

The liquor store will remain open during construction, but the cheese shop will be temporarily shuttered. No construction dates have been announced.

The project is being designed by Shea Design of Minneapolis. The restaurants centerpiece is a 19-seat bar, which will feature 15 to 20 wines by the glass, a long list of local beers and a roster of craft cocktails that will include, yes, a signature Sidebar Sidecar.

The restaurant will have its own entrance on the Hennepin Avenue portion of building, along with a 34-seat sidewalk patio fronting a large bifold glass door. The Sidebar name is a reference to that side-of-the store location.

But it also speaks to what happens in a bar, Taylor Surdyk said. You speak confidentially, as in a legal proceeding.

The menu falls under the purview of longtime Surdyks culinary director Mary Richter. The table-service restaurant will prepare lunch and dinner daily, focusing on global versions of classic French brasserie fare steak frites, moules frites, a Nioise salad while taking full advantage of the cheese shops expertise via shareable cheese and charcuterie boards served with breads from Minneapolis bakers Rustica and Bakers Field Flour & Bread.

We have the best pantry at our disposal, Richter said. That gives us so much to play around with. Its hard to mess up when you have the best ingredients.

Original post:
Surdyk's is opening a restaurant and bar in its northeast Minneapolis store this summer - Minneapolis Star Tribune

The corner of Mamaroneck Avenue and East Post Road where The Mitchell is being built. Photo by Peter Katz.

It will be at least another year before construction begins in earnest on the mixed-use project planned by Lennar Multifamily Communities for the site of the former Pavilion Mall in White Plains, Greg Belew, LMCs divisional president for the New York tristate area, told the Business Journal.

The old mall was torn down and the 60 S. Broadway site cleared. Weve had some activity in terms of doing some art installations in partnership with ArtsWestchester where weve had some local artists doing murals on the construction fence surrounding the site, Belew said.

LMC had told Westchester Countys Industrial Development Agency it anticipated construction on the first phase of the two-phase project to begin in June 2020 with occupancy expected around September 2022. Phase two was expected to begin at that time with occupancy expected by September 2024. Two 28-story towers have been planned with a total of 814 apartments. There would be 28,000 square feet of retail and dining along with 932 parking spaces. The cost of each phase of the project has been estimated at $250 million.

We are still very bullish on White Plains, Belew said. We think its a great market and will continue to be so.

He said though construction at 60 S. Broadway has been delayed, activity on LMCs project on a site that begins on Mitchell Place and runs through to the corner of Mamaroneck Avenue and East Post Road has been in high gear. The project is known as The Mitchell. The Pavilion site is being used to store some materials needed for The Mitchell.

Weve seen new properties come online in the market and lease ups have gone very well. Were confident that ours will also, Belew said. When our project on Mamaroneck Avenue is delivering, just knowing the other properties in the market and where they will be in lease ups, there likely will not be too much coming into the market at the same time.

The Mitchell is being constructed on properties carrying the addresses of 9 Mitchell Place and 131 Mamaroneck Ave. Alliance Residential Co. had received approvals for a project it called Broadstone White Plains. LMC bought the properties in 2018. The parcels cover approximately 2.1 acres. The plans call for two 15-story buildings and a six-story parking structure. There would be 434 apartments ranging from studios to three-bedroom units. The plan includes about 8,000 square feet of ground-level retail and restaurant space along Mamaroneck Avenue.

Belew noted that LMCs activity in White Plains coincides with its project slated to open in the summer of 2021 in Stamford. Known as The Smythe, its a mixed-use, 15-story building featuring 414 apartments, 19,330 square feet of retail and three levels of parking. The Smythe is at 885 Washington Blvd. and is being promoted as within walking distance of The Palace Theater, The Stamford Center for the Arts and Miller River Park.

We like southern Fairfield County a lot and well continue to look for other opportunities in the area, Belew said. What we tend to see a lot of in these markets like White Plains or Stamford is that as you get even more residential density downtown, oftentimes you have the entertainment and nightlife scene really follow. You generate even more demand and you have more people downtown and more entertainment and nightlife value in the immediate surrounding area.

While the parent Lennar operation is well-known as a creator of single-family developments, LMC has communities with some 28,800 units valued at $11.2 billion operating or under development.

Weve probably exceeded all expectations as to how quickly weve grown and how successful weve been as part of the company, Belew said of LMC. We have 13 offices all over the country and I think when you look at the ranking of top national developers around the country, were generally within the top five.

LMC is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. Todd Farrell is its president. The parent company, Lennar Corporation, based in Miami, is publicly traded and for its 2018 fiscal year reported revenue of $20.6 billion, net earnings of $1.7 billion and deliveries of 45,627 new homes. The Lennar Multifamily segment of the business was responsible for $42.7 million in earnings for the 2018 fiscal year.

We have a solid pipeline of projects into the future that youll see coming out as time goes on, Belew said.

Theres been such a shortage of new rental product in the Northeast that the attitude on the part of a lot of developers was, build it and they will come. Now that theres been a lot more development in recent times it has forced the development community to produce a high-quality product thats more fully amenitized. Youve really gotten into an amenity arms race, he said.

LMC also has been looking at the workforce portion of the market.

Despite doing the top-of-the-market, high-end buildings, we are also now starting to focus more attention on the workforce housing market which, I think, is a different product that is not necessarily in the immediate urban core. It tends to have a slightly different renter. The workforce housing market will be high-quality, but it will be more affordable to a broader spectrum of renters, Belew said.

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Former Pavilion site dormant; The Mitchell and Smythe rise in White Plains - Westfair Online

Smoothie King was only one of the Baltimore Ave. establishments to close over winter break for upcoming City Hall contruction. (Julia Nikhinson/The Diamondback)

Shops along Route 1, including Subway and Smoothie King, closed their doors over the University of Marylands winter break ahead of demolition for a redevelopment project in College Park.

The shuttered stores, which also include Shanghai Cafe and Hair Cuttery, mark the first steps in preparation for the construction of a new city hall at Knox Road and Route 1.

The projects cost is split between the university and the City Council at Knox Road and Route 1. In all, its expected to cost about $50 million.

The council voted to buy the space occupied by Shanghai Cafe and Subway for $1.6 million in March 2018. Leases for Smoothie King and Hair Cuttery expired at the end of 2019.

The redevelopment project has been in the works for decades. In 2014, the council voted on its location. The redevelopment is slated to include municipal offices, university offices and retail spaces, but until its construction, Route 1 will lose a few dining options.

Im really surprised theyre shutting those down, said senior Samantha Riesberg, a biological sciences major. I feel like people go to them a lot.

The Terrapin Development Company owns the property that includes Hair Cuttery and Smoothie King. Ken Ulman, the chief strategy officer at the university, said in March 2018 that the development company will assist in the businesses relocation.

College Park Mayor Patrick Wojahn said in 2018 that he doesnt think the businesses will struggle to find new homes. Now, hes looking forward to the blocks future.

College Park residents are finally about to have our new City Hall and public square, which will enliven our downtown and help our local businesses thrive, Wojahn wrote in a text message.

Lucas Leitao, a freshman major, said that there are still plenty of other dining options.

The Subway people, he said, pointing out that theres still a Subway in the Stamp Student Union, they can rejoice.

Staff writer Matt McDonald contributed to this report.

View post:
College Park's Subway and Smoothie King closed for redevelopment project - The Diamondback

Dubai's Under Construction One Za'abeel Tower Holds the Longest Cantilever in the World

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Designed by Japanese firm Nikken Sekkei, and developed by Ithra Dubai, the latest addition to Dubais skyline is a mixed-use two towers project with a horizontal connection housing one of the worlds largest cantilevers. Currently, under construction, One Za'abeel Tower is scheduled for completion by 2021.

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Located at a crossroads between the old and new city, the project is in close proximity to Dubais International Financial Centre, International airport, and the Gold Souks of Deira. The innovative design of One Za'abeel puts in place twin skyscrapers, rising over a total built-up area of 470,700 square meters. Tower A, standing at 300 meters tall, will host offices and a hotel, the worlds first vertical resort, whereas Tower B, standing at 235 meters tall, will be primarily oriented towards residential units.

The 3.39 billion AED development will include 37,000 square meters of office space,263 residential units, 12,000 square meters of retail space, 497 hotel rooms and 77 high-speed lifts. Currently, at 35% complete, the project also incorporates 3 floors of high-end retail and leisure podium, and a horizontal structure, the Link, suspended perpendicularly to both towers at a height of around 100 meters above ground. The Link will hold a number of restaurants and bars, an observation deck, gym, spa, pool, banquet hall, and a rooftop terrace. Weighing at 9,000 tonnes when lifted and 13,000 tonnes when completed, the project hosts one of the worlds largest cantilevers.

Granted two prestigious awards in 2019, the Construction Innovation Awards for Best Innovative Project of the Year and Big Project MEs Mixed-Use Project of the Year, One Zaabeel is aiming for a Gold LEED certification. In fact, the towers use water-to-water heat pumps for centralized domestic hot water systems, [and] treated sewage effluent water for irrigation. The energy-efficient design also focuses on faade systems and incorporates the latest smart technologies to provide automation and energy optimization of office electrical, lighting, air conditioning, and ventilation systems.

View original post here:
Dubai's Under Construction One Za'abeel Tower Holds the Longest Cantilever in the World - ArchDaily

Coweta County

This site plan shows the proposed rezoning and road realignment at Ga. Hwy. 16 East and Old Highway 85.

A convenience store and fast-food restaurant are proposed for property on Ga. Hwy. 16 next to Coweta Charter Academy.

Frazier Properties/Bruce Frazier has applied to have 6.27 acres, which sits between Old Highway 85 and the charter school property, rezoned from RC-Rural Conservation to C-6, Commercial Minor Shopping District.

According to the application, there would be a convenience store with gas pumps, with operating hours of 5 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week, and a fast food restaurant.

The site plan submitted with the application shows the fast food restaurant as being connected to the convenience store.

The site plan also shows a 5,000 square foot retail space, as well as a relocation of Old Highway 85. On the site plan, Old Highway 85 is moved to come into Hwy. 16 at a right angle, splitting the property. A roundabout intersection is shown. The retail space on the site plan is shown as being across the re-aligned Old Highway 85 from the convenience store.

Part of the property where the proposed retail center would be located is within the current right-of-way of Old Highway 85. If the rezoning is approved and the road is moved, that section of the road would have to be abandoned and rezoned.

The property is owned by Beverly Mitchell and currently has two houses on it, according to tax records.

The application states that Frazier Properties will donate right-of-way for the realignment of Old Highway 85, and will contribute 25 percent of the cost of the realignment and roundabout project, up to $250,000. The application also states that Frazier properties will provide engineering and construction documents for the realignment project.

A public hearing on the rezoning application will be held March 3 at 6 p.m.

Visit link:
Gas station, fast food planned for 16 and Old Highway 85 - Newnan Times-Herald

Located at 450 N. Dearborn St. in Chicago, the new Rivere office tower will feature a glass facade and activated terraces for its office tenants.

CHICAGO Friedman Properties and the City of Chicago have finalized the development agreement of their public-private partnership for Rivere, a 30-story high-rise office building coming to downtown Chicagos River North district. The 674,000-square-foot tower will be situated at 450 N. Dearborn St., a block south of the intersection of Illinois and Dearborn streets.

Rivere will feature a little more than 50,000 square feet of retail space, as well as high-end amenities including concierge services, meditation space, on-demand meeting space, an upscale fitness and wellness center, secure bike room with shower facilities, onsite valet, below-grade garage parking and a food and beverage program operated by Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises.

The property will also house a new engine house for Engine Co. 42, the District 1 headquarters for the Chicago Fire Department.

Designed by Goettsch Partners, Rivere will feature a glass faade with activated rooftops and sustainable features, including efficient mechanical systems that will help reduce water and energy use. Other design team members include construction management firm Lendlease and engineer DLR Group.

Office managers and staff at Rivere will be able use an app to facilitate parking, concierge services, fitness class appointments, guest passes, thermostat control, restaurant reservations and conference room bookings.

Jack McKinney Jr., Matt Lerner and Mark Gunderson of Cushman & Wakefield will market the office tower on behalf of the public-private partnership. Anthony Campagni, Elan Rasansky and Cooper Annenberg of A.R.C Real Estate Group will market the retail space. No tenants have been announced at this time.

Friedman Properties is a local owner, developer and manager of real estate projects and is credited with spearheading River Norths transformation into a 24/7 neighborhood. The firm has been buying, rehabilitating and re-tenanting historic buildings in the once-blighted district beginning in the 1970s. Frideman Properties owns more than 50 properties in River North.

We are pleased to lead this innovative partnership with the City of Chicago in River North, while further developing this premier location, says Albert Friedman, CEO and chairman of Friedman Properties. This significant city investment and contemporary office building offers tenants the opportunity to situate their offices and employees in the most desirable downtown neighborhood.

Friedman Properties did not disclose a construction timeline and did not provide financial details for the funding of Rivere, but the Chicago Sun Times reported the targeted opening date is mid-2023.

Crains Chicago reported Friedman Properties will pay the City of Chicago for the estimated $20.2 million Engine 42 location that will be relocated to Rivere, as well as pay $5 million for the existing one nearby at 55 W. Illinois St.

John Nelson

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Friedman Properties, City of Chicago Move Forward with High-Rise Office Tower in Downtown's River North District - REBusinessOnline

Midtown Gainesville

Midtown was in the news a good bit in 2019, and for good reason: Gainesville is angling to finally close the deal on a revitalization of the area that has been in the works, or at least in the hopes, for years.

In 2019, a real-deal developer signed on to build a multi-use project on the other side of the midtown bridge. Construction of more than 200 apartments and 10,000 square feet of retail space could start as early as May and take up to two years.

But things are already happening in midtown. In December, Diletto Bakery opened on Bradford Street also near the midtown bridge. The bakery spent years building a fanbase by plugging away at the Gainesville Farmers Market on Fridays.

While Diletto is in midtown, the business offering on South American flavors is finding itself well placed to fill the space left by Midland Coffee Co.s exit from downtown in 2019.

And then theres the skate park and new pond coming to the Midtown Greenway deeper into midtown. Not far from the park, Let There Be Rock School got rolling on Main Street, and has stayed rolling, in 2019. The Inked Pig is rolling out a new menu item smoked sausages. The sausages are ground, stuffed and smoked at the restaurant on Main Street. - photo by Nick Bowman

Midtown has also been the new, trendy home for home decor shops and one of Gainesvilles most interesting new restaurants: The Inked Pig.

That gravel lot downtown

If you thought you read a lot about midtown in 2019, how about the fourth side of the square in downtown Gainesville?

With retired Coca Cola Co. CEO Doug Ivester buying into the project after developer Tim Knights plans collapsed in 2019, this could be the year work begins on something, anything, in Gainesvilles favorite parking lot at the corner of Main and Spring streets.

Here is the original post:
Midtown, downtown, South Hall and wine: Four cool things we're watching in 2020 - Gainesville Times

Bob Perry slings vinyl at Cheapo Records in Central Square, and every sale in his Cambridge shop is critical.

Perry hustles to stay ahead as he watches more and more of the city's funky shops shut down.

"Every year, when the rents go up and the workers want a little bit more money, it gets a little bit harder," Perry said.

Retailers like Perry are feeling the squeeze from soaring rents, disruptive construction projects and the growth of online shopping.

Not all survive; in greater Boston, about 10 percent of storefronts are now empty.

The numbers are better in Cambridge, but in busy places like Harvard Square, they're seeing more than twice as many vacancies as in the rest of the city.

Harvard Square has been losing spots its eclectic identity was built on: The World's Only Curious George Store, John Harvard's Brew House, Tealuxe, Black Ink. Eye-popping rents helped force many out, and the city is reckoning with how to stem the tide.

"You always want somewhere to feel active and vibrant," said Pardis Saffari, the city's senior economic development manager.

Data from November 2019.

Saffari said when storefronts are dark, city officials worry about vandalism, blight and the toll shuttered stores take on other businesses.

"It can maybe make people not stop and shop or explore the neighborhood," Saffari said.

So city leaders got creative, employing strategies like paying local artists to exhibit artwork in vacant buildings to help liven up the spaces.

"So instead of seeing something maybe dark or empty, you now see some wonderful artwork to hopefully brighten up your day," Saffari said.

Cambridge also helped facilitate pop-up stores in vacant buildings. For example, a group of vintage clothing sellers is paying month-to-month to rent a former mattress store in Cambridge that sat empty for years.

Perry, the record store owner, filled another vacant storefront with vintage rock 'n' roll gear. Perry wants to gauge demand in the neighborhood, and the arrangement allows him to dip his toe in the water without a lot of risk.

"This is a real store in a real space on Mass. Ave in this neighborhood with the clientele that walks around here," he said.

Cultivating an invested clientele is important, particularly for a place like Harvard Square, which took another hit when the iconic Out of Town News newsstand shut down after 60 years in business.

"It was a place where Joan Baez came and played her music, and where Julia Child would get her cookbooks from," explained Aaron Greiner, director of CultureHouse, a nonprofit that filled the empty building where Out of Town News was located.

Hoping to maintain that community feel while they figure out what to do with the building, the city provided the space to CultureHouse, which functions as a community gathering spot open for anyone to hang out as long as they like.

Many visitors patronize other businesses in the area, Greiner said.

"The businesses that are still open, [visitors] are going to go and buy a coffee there, buy a lunch there," Greiner said.

And the benefits of filling the empty space aren't solely economic, he said.

"We're seeing increased problems of loneliness in cities, of isolation, which is a bit ironic because we think of cities as places that are full of people, yet people are feeling more and more disconnected," he said.

CultureHouse aims to be a community living room, for everything from book clubs and brainstorming sessions to ping pong tournaments.

"People can come in and read a book. They can come in and bring a coffee, bring their lunch. They can use the space as they like. They can meet a friend. They can meet someone new," Greiner said.

Cities hope landlords will meet someone new, too: potential tenants to open their minds to creative solutions.

Read more:
In Cambridge, Artists and Nonprofits Liven Up the Retail Landscape - nbcboston.com