Downtown Cleveland’s Post

🌆✨ Downtown Cleveland: Growth, Momentum, and Vision for 2024! ✨🌆 Cleveland is on the rise! 🚀 The 2024 Downtown Development & Advocacy Report highlights exciting progress as our city shifts from recovery to sustainable growth: 📊 By the Numbers: 38 million visits in 2024 (86% of 2019 levels). 21,000 full-time residents now call downtown home. $1.3 billion in development and 29 new storefronts opened! 🗣️ Why It Matters: Downtown Cleveland ranks among the top U.S. cities for visitor and workforce recovery, leads Ohio in office conversions, and shows that we’re stronger than ever. 🏙️ Looking Ahead: To address challenges like safety perceptions and the high cost of development, Downtown Cleveland is launching a new Downtown Champions business center to: 🔹Engage leaders and residents in shaping a Greater Downtown Vision. 🔹Fund placemaking improvements and attract investors. 🔹Advocate for policies that foster walkable, vibrant spaces. 💬 A Bold Vision: “We will cease speaking of recovery and shift toward advancing a Greater Downtown Vision,” says Michael Deemer, President & CEO, of Downtown Cleveland Downtown Cleveland is ready to lead with innovation, collaboration, and purpose. Let’s build a brighter, safer, and more connected future together! ✨ #DowntownCleveland #SaferCleveland #CityGrowth #GreatLakesLeader #ThisIsCle #LetsGo

Thank you to those who were able to join us for Downtown Cleveland's 24th Annual Meeting, sponsored by Huntington National Bank. The event highlighted transformative progress and featured a discussion with Mayor Justin M. Bibb and County Executive Chris Ronayne about downtown's challenges and opportunities.   President & CEO Michael Deemer, JD, LPM acknowledged that challenges remain for downtown, outlined targeted strategies to address them, and issued a call to action for civic and business leaders to engage in this vitally important work, including:    Public Safety – Downtown Cleveland deploys high-quality Clean & Safe services daily, from 7 a.m. to midnight, with unified operations across downtown districts and systems enhanced with smart technology. Ambassadors are supplemented with Neighborhood Safety Specialists and the Court Watch program to improve safety and accountability, while fostering unprecedented collaboration with city and county partners.    Development and Advocacy – Downtown Cleveland advocates for high-density development by reducing barriers to doing business in the core and enabling significant growth. Recent achievements include launching a new Downtown Retail Action Plan to attract businesses and customers, securing $750,000 in state capital funding for new play and recreation facilities and establishing a TIF District to fund public infrastructure improvements and spur economic activity.   The Greater Downtown Vision – Taking the next step in Reimagining Downtown, in collaboration with the City of Cleveland, this landmark initiative unites existing development plans into a cohesive vision. Rooted in five pillars—Safety, Walkability, Connectivity, Activation and Inclusive Prosperity—the vision focuses on improving public spaces, enhancing connectivity and supporting private development. Projects prioritize retail corridor improvements, greenspace activation and creating a public realm that encourages exploration across downtown.   “Today’s meeting was not just a celebration of progress but a call to action for our community to embrace and champion Cleveland’s downtown vision,” said President and CEO Michael Deemer. “With the support of our partners and the collective commitment of our community, we are leading the way and are poised to reimagine downtown as a dynamic hub that attracts residents, businesses and visitors alike.”  Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gd22FVMS

Highlights from Downtown Cleveland’s 24th Annual Meeting Sponsored by Huntington National Bank, the meeting featured discussions with Mayor Justin M. Bibb and County Executive Chris Ronayne on downtown’s challenges and opportunities. Key Points from Michael Deemer’s Address: 🛡️Public Safety: Clean & Safe services from 7 a.m. to midnight, enhanced with smart tech and safety programs. Strong collaboration with city and county partners to improve safety. 🌱 Development & Advocacy: Focus on high-density development and reducing barriers for business growth. Launch of the Downtown Retail Action Plan and $750K secured for play/recreation facilities. Establishment of a TIF District to support infrastructure improvements and economic growth. 🌆Greater Downtown Vision: Collaboration with the City of Cleveland to reimagine downtown with a focus on Safety, Walkability, Connectivity, Activation, and Inclusive Prosperity. Priorities include retail corridor improvements, greenspace activation, and public spaces for exploration. This is a pivotal moment for Downtown Cleveland as we work together to drive progress and build a vibrant, thriving community.

San Francisco’s downtown has faced significant challenges in recent years, with office vacancies soaring and national retailers hesitant to commit. However, innovative initiatives like the “Vacant to Vibrant” program are breathing new life into these urban spaces by empowering small businesses to fill the void. The Embarcadero Center, a 3.3 million-square-foot complex owned by BXP, exemplifies this transformation. Christine Yuen, BXP’s Vice President and head of leasing at the center, spearheaded a “retail activation initiative” to revitalize the area. Recognizing the potential of local entrepreneurs, Yuen engaged directly with small business owners, even reaching out at neighborhood farmers’ markets to invite them into downtown spaces. This approach acknowledges the shifting dynamics of urban retail. With traditional national tenants retreating, there’s a unique opportunity for local businesses to establish a presence in prime locations. Programs like “Vacant to Vibrant,” a public-private partnership managed by the nonprofit SF New Deal, offer free rent to retailers, facilitating their entry into downtown areas. The success of these initiatives highlights the importance of adaptability in urban planning and commercial real estate. By fostering collaboration between property owners and small businesses, cities can transform vacant spaces into thriving hubs of activity. This not only supports local entrepreneurs but also enhances the vibrancy and appeal of urban centers. As we navigate the evolving landscape of post-pandemic urban life, the experiences of San Francisco underscore the value of innovative, community-focused solutions. Embracing such strategies can lead to more resilient and dynamic cities, where both businesses and residents thrive. https://lnkd.in/eCffwtvW

St. Louis on the Rise: A City Redefined What an incredible time to be in St. Louis! Catch a City SC win, then celebrate with a post-game drink at Schlafly, a local brewery just steps from the stadium. Even getting home is a breeze – a quick 7-minute drive. Looking for the perfect urban lifestyle? Imagine living in a revitalized loft in Laclede's Landing, just a 15-minute walk from Busch Stadium. Or, start your day with an invigorating yoga session as the sun rises over the vibrant downtown core. St. Louis is shedding its outdated image and embracing a remarkable transformation. Despite facing political challenges, the city is actively addressing past issues. Previously high-crime areas are undergoing exciting redevelopment, bringing new life and a sense of security to neighborhoods. A surge of young professionals is fueling the city's growth, attracted by booming industries in tech, defense, food, and even pet care. It's time to celebrate these positive changes and share what truly makes St. Louis, our county, and our state extraordinary. We need to be louder about our strides. Right now the narrative of our town is being written by distant outlets, strangers to our endeavors, simply based on hear say. Let's become the "Show YOU State" and showcase all that our city has to offer! The Wall Street Journal Morning Brew

Happy Cities Are Redeveloping into Places for People At this year’s QuadState APA Conference in Fayetteville, Arkansas, I had the opportunity to engage with thought leaders and urban planners from across the region. Dr. Tristan Cleveland, an urban planner and research specialist for Happy Cities, led an insightful discussion on reshaping urban spaces to prioritize people over cars, promoting healthier, more sustainable, and more inclusive communities. A key takeaway from the session was that making car-dependent places more people-centered in design doesn’t always work. In fact, most of the time, it doesn’t increase land values or active transportation use, and it can reduce the financial outcomes of affordable housing investments. Even congestion reduction strategies may lower the GDP of the area. So, where should you focus your people-centered development efforts? The answer lies in where market trends are shifting. Retail purchasing patterns have changed, meaning fewer people shop at malls, and office space demand—particularly Class B office space—is declining. If the old development pattern is working, there’s no need to invest in transforming it. Instead, identify underutilized spaces and concentrate your efforts there. The best long-term activation strategy is to play small ball. Here’s how: 1. Activate and fund a dedicated organization to manage redevelopment efforts in the selected area. 2. Sustain the initiative with a consistent yearly budget to ensure long-term growth and stability. 3. Invest small amounts yearly to make gradual improvements. There’s no need to swing for the fences with a big project like a stadium. By taking this approach, communities can thoughtfully transform underutilized spaces into vibrant, people-centered places that reflect the needs of today’s changing market. #UrbanPlanning #PeopleFirst #QuadStateAPA #HappyCities #Fayetteville #SustainableCommunities #UrbanDesign #Infrastructure #ShockeyConsulting #planningmonth American Planning Association April Snay, AICP Grant Mayfield Cara Elbert Jeffrey Williams, AICP Grant L. Happycities

Urban theorist Richard Florida offered "insights about the forces reshaping U.S. downtowns like Atlanta's and the way urban planners and developers are responding. " - Urban centers must adapt to thrive. The future of downtown areas lies in entertainment and social spaces to attract people back to offices. He mentions the example of Centennial Yards in Atlanta as a redevelopment project aligning with this trend. _ Florida also discusses the importance of creating affordable housing options in cities, emphasizing the need to rethink older suburbs and repurpose existing buildings. - He sees potential for resilience and innovation at the local level, despite inevitable bumps along the way. https://lnkd.in/eCVPqQsS

I learned a lot at this year’s REjournals Minneapolis Downtown Summit where industry leaders shared their visions for downtown, the challenges we face, and the many reasons to feel optimistic about the future. Each panel discussion revealed dynamic approaches to keeping downtown vibrant, sustainable, and adaptable. Here are a few highlights: City Leadership in Real Estate Development: Our city’s leadership is focused on innovative tools to address current financial challenges and public safety, showing a collaborative spirit across sectors. Minneapolis is dedicated to sustainable and community-driven growth with creative investors bringing new life to buildings, booming nightlife, and strong public-private partnerships supporting events and programming. Revitalizing Through Sports & Entertainment: From Target Field’s expanded events calendar (plus the Twins' not-so-subtle dig at US Bank Stadium's poor acoustics) to potential new investments in sports infrastructure, sports and entertainment continue to energize downtown. Events like the Olympic festival were huge successes, underscoring the economic and social boost these activities bring to our community. Transforming Downtown for Viability & Sustainability: Our downtown is becoming increasingly multi-functional. Converting office spaces into residential or mixed-use areas is crucial, but will require major tax incentives and a careful selection of suitable buildings. Other strategies being implemented include sustainable building designs and pedestrian-friendly upgrades like Nicollet Mall enhancements. The goal is to set the stage for a livable, active, and green downtown. Downtown Office Market Update: The future of office work remains promising, with new amenities, flexible spaces, and community-focused investments to attract businesses back downtown. Security and community outreach programs are bolstering safety and changing the perspective of downtown, and there’s a clear understanding that vibrant, experience-based spaces are essential for the post-pandemic workforce. Multifamily Growth in Downtown: Despite some headwinds, we’re seeing solid occupancy rates and strong retention in multifamily developments, along with a continued focus on affordability and tenant-centered design. Overall, it was inspiring to see so many leaders committed to making downtown Minneapolis a thriving, inclusive, and forward-looking place. Excited to see what’s next for our city! #Minneapolis #CommercialRealEstate #CRE #Office

Interesting downtown development plan from Louisville Metro Government, with a lot of detail than confirms work already being done in Northern Kentucky's river cities, especially the City of Covington, Kentucky. "The report focuses on three main strategies to make downtown thrive: “activating” downtown through increased attractions; growing the number of people who live downtown; and enhancing the “public realm” via more pedestrian friendly streets, more inviting public spaces and better connectivity within downtown and to the areas surrounding it... Housing, too, is a big focus of the strategy. The report ties the overall economic health of downtown, in large part, to significantly boosting the number of people living there, saying the residential population remains well below a critical mass." https://lnkd.in/gT9iuHpt

In recent years, mixed-use districts have gained increasing significance in the commercial real estate landscape as companies and cities acknowledge their broader advantages. “Companies are recognizing the value in high-quality offices and premier locations, not just for recruitment and retention advantages, but also to motivate return-to-office strategies,” says Jacob Rowden, U.S. Office Research Manager at JLL. National trends reveal a move away from traditional central business districts to more peripheral urban neighborhoods. These areas now represent an outstanding portion of the most expensive streets in the country. While established locations like California’s Sand Hill Road and New York’s Hudson Yards still command high office rents, mixed-use environments combining commercial, residential and entertainment spaces are emerging as the trending avenue for developers to garner interest on par with these long-standing and recognized areas. These neighborhoods are seeing faster recoveries in activity levels compared to commercially dominated cores, reflecting a shift in consumer preferences and workplace dynamics. Explore further by checking out the article from JLL below: