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2 <br /> <br />City develop a better understanding of the market and what is necessary to <br />accomplish a great (re)development. <br />o Remember that the City can be the most patient part of the equation! <br /> <br />• While transit is important, employers need nearby housing opportunities for <br />employees. A major problem with the development and expansion of the <br />commercial/industrial base, and job opportunities that come with it, is the mismatch <br />between where jobs are located and the availability of nearby affordable housing choices. <br />This is a growing issue in many markets and has become the number one issue in siting <br />decisions for many new businesses. A ULI MN housing forum revealed that the <br />business/housing mismatch is affecting the growth and locational decisions for many of <br />our region’s major employers. <br />• The office market will continue to be challenging throughout the metro area. High <br />vacancy rates and a predisposition to downtown locations continue to hamper the <br />construction of new office development in suburban settings. Therefore, Little Canada <br />should not anticipate significant office development opportunities. <br />• Little Canada, like most cities in the metro area, is well-retailed, i.e. a broad range of <br />goods and services are readily available to members of the community even if those <br />goods and services aren’t specifically located in Little Canada. They may be just across <br />community lines, or on the dominant routes that take residents to and from work or <br />around town. Retailers tend to pay less attention to community boundaries than to <br />circulation patterns and shopping habits. Although online retailing will continue to <br />dominate the market, experiential retailing will offer a niche especially for goods and <br />services not available on Amazon. <br />• Little Canada is not alone in desiring more dining opportunities within its <br />boundaries. The lack, or apparent lack of dining choices is a common theme in almost <br />all cities that have held ULI MN workshops. Like retail, restaurants follow rooftops and <br />employment concentrations. The City may identify the types of restaurants that it desires <br />and then go after them. Knowing the City’s inventory of suitable locations will help in <br />this effort, especially older shopping center and other underutilized retail spaces that may <br />offer more competitive lease rates. In addition, attracting and/or allowing food trucks <br />within areas of the City may be a great way to test dining choices before the investment <br />in permanent spaces. <br />• The importance of creating gathering places. More than ever, the Next Generation as <br />well as Boomers are looking for communities that are experience-based, i.e. where they <br />can bump into other people and have access to a variety of activities, especially in places <br />that are viewed as authentic. Places where things are happening all the time and full of <br />people are very attractive places for the Next Generation and Boomers. More and more