Mayor Paul Soglin worries that Madison's main drag, State Street, is becoming overrun with bars and restaurants.

So Soglin is contemplating taking regulatory action to ensure that the mix of retail remains strong on this historic commercial strip.

"What's happening is, we're getting more and more uses that are what I call 'beverage-oriented,' everything from coffee shops to restaurants and bars, as well as bars that pass themselves off as restaurants," Soglin says. "The retailers cannot afford the rents. They cannot compete with the coffee shops and bars."

The mayor says he doesn't have any answers, but would like to start a conversation about the future of the strip, possibly calling for a moratorium on any new bars, restaurants or coffee shops.

"I think the solution is to have a community-wide discussion on the future of State Street," he says. "Do we want a State Street that resembles Sixth Street in Austin or one that resembles the historic State Street, which is more focused on diverse retailers, whether they be paper goods, gifts or novelties."

Austin's Sixth Street is often compared to State Street because it's a thriving college commercial district. But Austin's street is much more of an entertainment district, with large clubs and music venues. "If you go to Sixth in Austin, you can go an entire block and the only retailer you'll see is something that reminds you of Times Square, selling licenses plates or snow globes with the Alamo," says Soglin.

A long-term solution will take a couple of years to develop, Soglin says, but he identifies two possibilities: an "absolute ban on new square footage for liquor licenses" or an overlay zone, which would regulate the mix of businesses.

Soglin says he's resisted banning new liquor licenses, because that inflates the value of existing licenses. But, he adds, it's increasingly tough for retail to survive on State Street. "I'm looking for options that will secure the present uses on the street before we go over a tipping point where we lose most of the retailers."

Sandi Torkildson, owner of A Room of One's Own bookstore on Gorham Street, has long raised concerns about bars and restaurants pushing retail out of the area. She says cities like Boston and San Francisco have laws that require certain types of businesses to get conditional-use permits, to protect retail space.

Mary Carbine, the executive director of the Downtown Business Improvement District, says that retail stores are in a period of transition, not just downtown, but nationally, as "brick and mortar" stores face growing competition from online vendors.

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Mayor Soglin contemplates moratorium on bars, restaurants along State Street

The owners of the Oak Bluffs building that once housed Seasons Eatery and Pub have plans to convert it to retail space.

The Circuit avenue establishment has been a restaurant for many decades, but interior renovations this winter will create three separate retail shops. Seasons, a year-round bar, closed its doors in February of 2013 after 27 years.

At the time, owner Bob Murphy cited fatigue with the many demands of running a restaurant. He had hoped that it would continue as a restaurant, under new ownership, but he couldnt find the right fit.

A restaurant is an intense use and there is a lot to it, so it had to be the right combination or the right person coming on, Mr. Murphy said by phone this week.

About a year after the bar closed, Mr. Murphy and his partner, Jim Ryan, began to discuss other possibilities for the building. They settled on retail; three stores of 1,000 square feet, each with a street-facing storefront.

It was the easier of the options, simply because its less maintenance and less traffic, and its an easier thing to live with, Mr. Murphy said. He said he has received a lot of inquiries about the space, he said, including from people who still see it as an eatery. Not that many people came forward when we were looking for restaurants, and now that we are doing this [renovation], people are coming out of the woodwork, saying, can we still have it as a restaurant?

The project is expected to be completed in early February. Mr. Murphy said he and his partner are just beginning to whittle down the inquiries they have received from prospective tenants.

Construction did not begin until late fall because of buildings prominent location on the towns business thoroughfare, and proximity to the Camp Ground.

We think its quality retail we are putting in, he said. We are hoping these will be up to date and nice-looking properties.

Architect Chuck Sullivan designed the buildings makeover. Mr. Murphy said he did not yet know how much it will cost to rent each unit. Before Seasons, 19 Circuit avenue was home to the Boston House, which occupied both the Seasons building and the adjacent structure.

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Pub No More, Seasons to Become Retail Space

The Nova Centre complex in downtown Halifax is delayed nearly a year, a major setback for the citys new convention centre.

The half-billion-dollar development, which includes the new Halifax Convention Centre, a hotel, financial towers and retail space, is now expected to be substantially completed by Sept. 30, 2016.

An official opening for the $164-million convention centre, cost-shared by the three levels of government, is planned for January 2017.

SEE ALSO: TAYLOR: Nova Centre delay: Deja vu all over again

Joe Ramia, head of Argyle Developments Inc., attributed the setback to design changes following public consultation, the approval process and a tough construction season last winter.

The delay is a major headache for Trade Centre Ltd., an arms-length provincial Crown corporation that oversees the World Trade and Convention Centre and its successor.

Trade Centre event promoters have spent months pursuing top national and international conferences and have already booked 30 events for the new convention centre, more than half of which are scheduled for 2016.

The Crown corporation issued a news release last January underscoring the conferences it had booked for that year.

The Canadian Library Association was cited as one key event it had secured, bringing hundreds of delegates in May 2016. Valoree McKay, the associations executive director, said she was informed Thursday of the construction delays.

Were aware, and were considering our options, McKay said.

The rest is here:
Nova Centre opening delayed by a year, customers already booked

Five-star class: An artist's impression of Pullman Sydney Airport.

A new Pullman hotel will open in Sydney as part of the planned $100 million development in Mascot, near the airport, that will include retail and offices.

Goodman Group is developing the O'Riordan Street site, in one of the biggest mixed-use projects in the area for some years. Accor will mange the new five-star hotel as part of the expansion of its Pullman chain.

The deal comes hot on the heels of the NSW government's plans to build a freeway from Sydney Airport to the south as part of a $20 billion infrastructure strategy.

Accor Pacific chief operating officer Simon McGrath said the project would be a key development for Sydney, and workers and residents near the airport.

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He said the key driver was the forecast growth in domestic and international tourism and also the rise in use of retail offerings near airports.

"It's not just about travelling, but also people who work and live in the area, where apartment blocks are replacing offices and warehouses in South Sydney," Mr McGrath said.

"Airports are no longer considered transport hubs; they are transforming into complete entities where hotels, conference centres, retail and office spaces co-exist."

Colliers International's head of retail, Michael Bate, said airports and other less traditional shopping areas were gaining traction from consumers.

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New $100m Sydney Airport precinct project to house Pullman hotel

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A 1.4-acre site just across S. 4th Street from the newest University of Louisville student apartment complex could be redeveloped next year as a restaurant, retail space or even another apartment building.

Louisville investor Jack Dulworth, a former chairman of the Louisville Metro Planning Commission, bought the site at 2400 S. 4th Street for $1 million in August through a company called University Point, property records show.

Dulworth said he's still considering what to do with the site, which is at the corner of Industry Road and S. 4th Street, directly across the Grove student apartment building.

Dulworth said the old building on the property, which was built as a Kroger in the late 1950s and has had a number of other uses since, could be converted to a restaurant -- sit-down, fast casual or fast food -- or retail space.

Dulworth said he's also considering razing the building and constructing a mixed-use development with retail on the first floor and apartments on upper floors.

We're kind of looking at different options right now; there is a lot of interest in it, Dulworth said. It's obviously a prime location for university-related activities as well as a commercial corridor.

The continued growth of students living on or near U of L's Belknap campus is driving investment around the university, Dulworth said.

Obviously the university is growing at record speeds, and any sizable commercial property in that area is considerably valuable, he said.

The 16,000-square-foot building was a Kroger until the 1980s, then a restaurant called the Luau Room until the 1990s, and has also been a daycare and a nightclub, Dulworth said.

Dulworth said he will continue to test interest in the site until after the first of the year, when he will decide what to do.

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Under-used site near University of Louisville to get new life

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35 ORLANDO) - Construction crews have begun demolition work for One Daytona, the biggest retail project ever done in Volusia County. Scott Bullock is overseeing the construction for International Speedway Corp. and had a twinkle in his eye watching the work.

"It's been a vision project for ISC over the past 10 or so years, so it's nice to see today finally happening."

The vision calls for more than 200 million dollars in spending to convert the large property behind and around ISC headquarters into the newest, hottest place to go in Daytona. Scott Bullock says the object is to draw more than just tourists.

"It's really creating a regional destination here in Daytona Beach that is a year round destination that offers play, stay, work, live environment. A true mixed use community."

The company is planning a boutique hotel, retail anchored by Bass Pro Shops and a full service movie theater, office space and restaurants. Bullock says more retailers and the national hotel proprietor will be announced during construction.

"This has been an underserved market. We are hoping this project brings a lot of national brands that people are familiar with, that they are excited about having, and will compliment what's already here."

The first piece of construction called Victory Circle will be open by 2016. It will take years beyond that to finish the entire complex.

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Construction begins on One Daytona retail project

Sandy Mayor Tom Dolan, second from right, shakes hands with Vice President Gary Karl of Pacific Retail during the ribbon cutting for the opening of Monroe Street and the groundbreaking of a high-rise residential building in Sandy, Monday, Nov. 24, 2014.

Ravell Call, Deseret News

SANDY After years of planning, Sandy city officials kicked off construction for a new development where they hope people will enjoy living, working and playing.

The development is called The Cairns. A cairn is a man-made pile of stones indicating someone is headed in the right direction, city officials said.

Developers say the 1,100-acre project from 9000 South to 11400 South and I-15 to near State Street will connect mountain adventures with urban living.

The Cairns will feature thousands of new apartments and condominiums, dozens of restaurants, office space, new retail space and a multimillion dollar South Towne Center shopping mall renovation.

We spent probably close to $2 million on this planning process over the last 3 years to get it right, Sandy Mayor Tom Dolan said. We have to get it right because it is the future of our community.

On Monday, city officials broke ground on The Prestige, a 25-story residential high-rise on the northwest corner of Centennial Parkway and Sego Lily Drive (10000 South). Dolan said density is a necessity.

We can no longer spread out and sprawl, the mayor said. We have to go up. Thats not just Sandy city, but thats the entire Wasatch Front, as we have more and more land thats chewed up and very little land left.

The Cairns also has The East Village, which will become the states largest transit-oriented development, city officials said.

Link:
Sandy unveils The Cairns, a new transit-oriented, mixed-use development

Demand for new retail space in Calgary has reached arecord high, says a new report by Colliers International.

In response to that demand, 50 projects comprising slightly more than 12.1 million square feet are in the planning, permitting or construction stage, according to the Calgary Retail Market Report Fall 2014.

Alberta, and Calgary in particular, has become the poster child market for affluence, consumer spending, employment growth, nation-leading incomes and abundant population growth all the necessary ingredients for a healthy and robust retail economy, said the report.

The continued demand for new high-quality retailers in Calgary is clearly demonstrated by the recent openings of two new large format retailers in the past six months.

Nordstrom opened at Chinook Centre while Marshalls opened in Kingsland Plaza.

The report said the overall vacancy rate of 1.81 per cent for retail shopping centres is driven by significant demand to target the high-earning Alberta population. Overall vacancy has dropped minimally by 0.11 per cent from last fall. Over the past five years, overall vacancy in Calgary has fluctuated by no more than 0.6 per cent.

As a result of the high demand, Calgary is experiencing citywide growth of mixed-use developments in all quadrants, said the report. The low vacancy rate is expected to continue as long as the economic prosperity continues.

Calgary will continue to be a bright light on the Canadian retail scene, while national and international retailers will continue to actively pursue locations and gain market share. Demand by major retailers for prime suburban and inner-city locations will exceed supply resulting in a highly competitive environment.

mtoneguzzi@calgaryherald.com

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Demand for retail space at an all-time high as Calgarians' income and spending grow

The future of Gainesvilles retail landscape is one step closer to completion.

Butler Enterprises broke ground on Butler North early Friday morning a project that expects to bring more than 1,500 construction jobs to the city.

The $186-million shopping complex expansion will also create more than 3,500 retail jobs once its sites are open, wrote Kristin Mamula, a Butler Enterprises spokeswoman, in an email.

The sites are expected to have a direct economic impact of $300 million annually.

That helps us retain people in the region, said Susan Davenport, vice president of economic development for the Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce. This is something that everyone that visits Gainesville would like to see here.

Butler Enterprises hired Gainesville-based OSteen Brothers to clear the land and do the expansions earthwork, according to a press release. Ocala-based Hamlet Construction did the underground construction, including sewage and storm water drainage.

Most of what will be Butler North has been cleared for construction, but Mamula said both Wal-Mart and Sams Club sites have not yet been cleared.

Davenport said the projects, along with multi-use project Celebration Pointe slated for a fall 2016 opening contribute to the chambers five-year economic development strategy to improve Gainesvilles business culture.

She said the new opportunities for employment and investment will make people want to live here and make this a higher quality of life for people that live here.

About 300 people attended the shopping complexs expansion celebration Friday, hosted in an open field overlooking the Butler North site. When complete, Southwest 24th Avenue will border the property to the north, while 34th Street will border the east, Interstate Highway 75 to the west and Archer Road to the south.

Continue reading here:
Butler North construction to create thousands of local jobs

A public hearing regarding the mixed use redevelopment proposal for 1700 S. Pacific Coast Highway, scheduled for today,Thursday, Nov. 20, has been indefinitely postponed. According to Legado spokesperson Heather Lee, the meeting was postponed since there wasnt a quorum of planning commissioners slated to attend. The meeting will be rescheduled with proper 10-day notice.

The 4.275 acre Legato project site is currently developed with a 110-room hotel (Palos Verdes Inn) and 28,354 square feet (SF) of retail space, including a 21,130 SF former Bristol Farms grocery store and 7,224 SF of other retail space. The project calls for the demolition of all on-site retail space, the construction of a mixed use (residential/commercial) development and renovation of the existing hotel. The mixed-use development consists of 180 residential apartment units including affordable nine units for very low-income qualified residents. The applicant (Legado Redondo, LLC) has requested a density bonus, which includes a waiver of development standards (height and stories) and parking standards.

Lee said in October only one of the buildings in the proposal would be four stories and it will be placed farthest from the street frontage. Two other buildings will be three stories.

These buildings are all residential and will be equipped with flat solar panels on the roofs to make the units energy efficient, she said.

As currently planned, the commercial component will consist of approximately 37,600 SF of neighborhood-serving commercial development. A total of 614 parking spaces, all of which will be underground, will be provided, with 552 spaces in a parking structure, and the remaining 62 spaces in a surface parking lot.

There will be no above ground or additional parking structures. The residences have been designed for three and four stories to accommodate the public open space. This will be one of the greenest mixed use projects of its kind, Lee said.

The project includes 30,599 square feet of public open space and 49,506 square feet of private open space for residents of the community.

We will create the highest and best uses of this 4.275-acre project site by efficiently integrating high-quality residences, a beautiful, inviting public space and desirable retail services using a design and scale that will blend well with the surrounding neighborhood and will preserve the charm of the Redondo Beach community, she said.

Continued here:
Legado public hearing postponed