Business Retention and Development Committee Agenda and Packet 2014 06 02

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Business Retention & Development Committee Meeting Minutes May 5, 2014 Page 2 of 3 RETAIL BROKER ROUNDTABLE: th The Broker Roundtable was held on April 16. Nine Denver Metro area retail brokers attended the meeting answering questions and providing comments. Aaron DeJong, Economic Development Director summarized the comments which were included in the BRaD packet. The major themes included: Retailers are scaling down the size of brick and mortar stores o US 36 is over-built for retail. I-25 corridor is the “hotspot” o Louisville is not a regional draw; Boulder and Westminster are seen as o regional shopping areas Competition is fierce o Businesses are looking for incentives o Chair Dalton suggested alternating retail brokers with office/commercial brokers for the next roundtable. Commissioner Lipton suggested looking for actionable comments and making a game plan. City Manager Fleming said the comments validated what the City is already doing: trying to keep/make/help businesses be successful. Commissioner Lipton wants to make sure that the brokers’ conclusions from the retail roundtable, and staff’s summary of all the issues from the retail roundtable are incorporated into the materials used to initiate discussion on the Small Area Plans. It is important to ensure the public understands the market realities and the competitive environment going into the Small Area Planning process. Doing so will improve the chances of suggestions coming from that process reflecting those market realities and competitive environment. Sue Loo commented that she heard that businesses are struggling and feels we need a “boots on the ground” effort, going door to door with retention visits. She volunteered for that effort. It was suggested that Bistro 4 needs an exit interview RETENTION MEETINGS: DeJong visited Mountainside Medical, makers of medical devices. Pete Neidecker likes Louisville and is happy they are here. They came here because we do not have a consumer use tax. They have been here since 2008/09 and may expand. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BRIEFING: th Downtown patios will be installed the week of May 5 Louisville Plaza was sold to the Kroenke Group. DeJong sees this as a positive change and is trying to set up a meeting with them. Parking Study – Planning continues work on the Parking Study and will take the topic to City th Council in May 6 .