2024 Fall Issue of Urban Land - 25

Report: In the longer term,
more systemic change is
required. From improved educational
supports to reducing
the cost of living, there are
a number of other, non-real
estate-dependent mechanisms
for lifting up populations who
struggle to afford housing. The
more direct real estate-related
reforms include a streamlined
and expedited permitting
process and mechanisms for
using public land for private
development. (Detroit)
Life with less office
The office market in every U.S.
downtown is different today
than it was in 2019, and it is
not likely to return to prepandemic
levels. Although
the vitality and commerce
that once drove the downtown
office market are not
completely lost, a different
approach is required, and
intentional and curated support
mechanisms are likely
to be needed-yet another
important role for a CID, CDD,
or other downtown-focused
organization. Knowing who
is operating downtown,
who would be interested in
moving downtown, and what
resources are lacking or available
are all key factors in creating
a thriving city center.
Ground-floor activation is
an important first step. Many
ground- and even second-floor
spaces within downtown office
buildings were designed to
be visible from the sidewalk.
Filling these spaces with artisan
works, product creations,
creative endeavors, and performances
can bring life to
the streetscape and make
the pedestrian experience
more enjoyable. These spaces
should be filled by makers
and creators who are also
able to benefit economically
from their additions to the
downtown streetscape-being
paid for their performances
or receiving an equity stake in
the increase in the value of the
building.
Report: That means paying
them for the value they bring
to spaces and folding in ownership
and equity stakes for
tenants. (St. Louis)
In a number of the cities
studied, retail is doing well in
the neighborhoods surrounding
downtown. Finding ways
to pull those successful businesses
into the city center
can bring economic activity
to once-vacant storefronts.
Strengthening the pedestrian,
transit, and economic connections
between downtown and
these surrounding neighborhood
retailers is beneficial to
both.
Report: Retail attractions,
such as experiential or destination
retail, an all-season
market, and retail locations
with pop-up experiences and
longer-term leased space can
keep residents and visitors
coming back. (Detroit)
Entertainment is an important
element in the vitality of
a city, and downtown can be
made a magnet of options. In
cases where a downtown has
yet to establish a robust residential
base, creating a latenight
entertainment zone can
spark excitement in the city
center without fear of disturbing
neighbors.
" Cities that have come back
most quickly have had economies
with a greater focus on
entertainment and hospitality.
Residential alone will never
replace the level of activity
that the office generated.
Downtowns need food, culture,
and entertainment-along
with new institutional uses-
that give people a reason to
come and stay downtown
and that become part of the
urban fabric, connecting with
residents across the city. This
has been a constant theme
in the ULI ASPs. Downtown
The ULI panel in San
Francisco noted how
incorporating a place's
unique culture into the
downtown environment
attracts workers, residents,
and visitors.
FALL 2 024
URBAN LAND
25
DEVELOPMENTS
K A THLEEN SHEFFER
2024 Fall Issue of Urban Land

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of 2024 Fall Issue of Urban Land
