The Commercial District Advisor

05/22/2024

In this month's issue of Planning, I write about the oversupply of retail space found in many downtown environments - one that is too frequently sanctioned by zoning requirements that either require ground-floor commercial or restrict ground-floor residential (really, the same thing). This often happens in places where there is scant market demand. Even in instances where developers express resistance to requirements that will saddle them with unproductive space, planning orthodoxy often reigns, rooted in what I consider a mischaracterization of Jane Jacob's philosophy of "eyes on the street".

So, what is the solution? First, let's acknowledge that great streets do not always need ground-floor retail, and vacant retail spaces never make for great streets. Is this really so controversial? APA seems to think so! Let me know what you think in the comments.

Rethinking ground-floor regulations to include residential uses is a controversial but doable solution to housing underproduction and a glut of empty storefronts.

10/22/2023

Love this example of business owners who share a similar customer base coming together to raise their collective profile. An event like this reinforces an identity and brand that lives beyond the event itself. And working together by sharing mailing lists and multiple social media feeds amplifies the message even more. Sometimes it’s the simple solution that works best.

10/08/2023

07/09/2023

This has been an in going problem in NYC that has been a thorn in the side of many BID directors. Glad to see the NYC DOT is looking to resolve it.

Beginning in July, NYC DOT & partners will tag abandoned to be removed from public bike racks. Abandoned bikes are usable bikes that are locked to a public bike rack for more than seven consecutive days & are different from derelict bikes.

More: http://nyc.gov/bikeparking

If a tag remains on a bike for 7+ days, NYPD, NYC DOT, or designated representatives can remove & confiscate the bike. The local precinct will store it for 30 days before moving it to the NYPD Property Clerk. Bike owners will be responsible for retrieving their bike from the NYPD.

07/08/2023

Solution that gives us bike parking and tree coverage

05/20/2023

Public transit systems in major U.S. cities are starting to focus on non-rush hour travelers as pre-pandemic commuting patterns shift and transportation needs change.

05/14/2023

Always a fan of the work done by 3CDC

Willkommen Urban Infill in Cincinnati, Ohio, is a scattered-site revitalization of a historic area, focusing on affordable housing. Model Group, 3CDC, and GBBN won a Merit Award in the Block, Street, and Building category of the CNU 2023 Charter Awards.

05/14/2023

02/18/2023

Great story that includes coverage on work that our team did to assess the impact of zoning on retail leasing.

Cushman & Wakefield executive vice chair Kazuko Morgan lost a major deal last year in downtown San Francisco’s Union Square. To be sure, the commercial district’s struggles with trash, burglary, loitering and record-high vacancies had been making...

12/17/2022

Too often, the “15-minute city” is just a slogan. A better understanding of the 15-minute city, with its walking and bicycling sheds, is critical to achieving the benefits of placing human access at the heart of community planning.