creating a neighborhood retail strategy
TRANSCRIPT
Creating a Retail Strategy
Commercial Revitalization 101
Rick Jacobus
Burlington Associates in Community Development
LISC Urban Forum, November 8, 2006
Buckeye RoadCleveland, OH
Buckeye Road
Historic Hungarian Neighborhood
Now mostly African American
–21 Blocks of struggling retail
–Vacancy around 30%
–Concerns about crime and vacant properties
Weizer Building
Buckeye Area Development Corporation purchased vacant building in 1999
14, 979 square foot, three-story building Historic Bank Building Now a source of blight
Activity
Based on what little you know about this neighborhood, what kind of businesses that might be attracted to this development project?
Buckeye Road
BADC bought 11 buildings in the center of the commercial district
Weizer Building
Weizer Building
Entire building leased to children’s services agency
10 year lease at asking rent
Completed renovation
No retail
Re$tore Buckeye Initiative Established as Buckeye Main Street Comprehensive effort to improve commercial corridor
Soul of Buckeye Festival
Façade Improvements
Promotion
Leasing Assistance to property owners
Safety Patrols
Security Cameras
Core Area Development Strategy Revise Zoning to concentrate retail activity Designate unique nodes
- The Strip
Auto-oriented Retail
- Performance Row
Pedestrian oriented Art and Culture
- The Commons
Higher Density Housing
The Strip
Children’s Village
Performance Row
Performance Row
Renovate Moreland Theater• 800 Seat Theater
• $5 million renovation needed
• Create venue for Jazz and other performance
Attract sit down restaurants into surrounding buildings (many already owned by BADC)
Encourage other arts and culture uses
Artisan Square
Changing Focus Summer of Soul
- Arterial – Buckeye Arts Festival
- All That Jazz
- Book Fair
Public Art Initiative– Install outdoor art wherever possible
– “Artistic” signs for parking lots
Bus stop/mini park– Relocate major bus stop (in front of theater)
– Install Public Art
– Internet Access
Re$tore Buckeye
Results Reduced Retail Vacancies from
> 30% to ~ 10% Attracted many businesses
– 2 bank branches
– Internet cafe
Purchased and renovated 11 commercial buildings
Soul of Buckeye Festival draws 10,000 visitors
