Business Retention and Development Committee Agenda and Packet 2016 09 06

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Business Retention & Development Committee Meeting Minutes August 1, 2016 Page 5 of 6 City Manager Fleming asked if Council can commit to something that they don't know what the outcome will be? Chair Loo said Council should put this on the table at a Study Session asking Council to revisit. Is parking more important than the museum? Council member Maloney said Council needs staff framework. Tracy Hobbs said she is hearing we don't have a commitment and we have a 5 year plan for a parking structure. Can we look at short term solution for enforcement? Maybe a baby step rather than metered parking or garage. David Sinkey asked if Louisville in growth mode? If you want to see money flow into town, it can happen quickly if private investors see that projects will be approved and that vertical density is desired. The question that he sees that needs to be answered is what does Louisville want to be? We are currently maxed out on retail and office. I would like to build more but worry that it will be a long expensive process with little likelihood of success. Randy Caranci agrees with what David Sinkey said. We have experienced a parking problem for many, many years. Hard to increase square footage because of parking. Growth is limited. We lost the opportunity for large parcel of assembly at Pine and Front. That parcel of land was assembled for parking. BRaD encourages further discussion of this and if this is an issue worth pursuing. Menaker motion was amended to recommend to City Council to review the information and discuss solutions for downtown parking at a future study session. Justen seconded revised motion. All were in favor. DOWNTOWN RETAIL: DeJong reviewed the information in the packet and the presentation attached to these minutes. Retail is an important part of downtown and helps form downtown's brand. Tracy Hobbs, owner of Eleanor's said business is good and has increased but it is hard. Her shoppers do not come from downtown, they come from other areas. Shoppers do not come in with bags from other places. Street Faire does not increase her business on a Friday night. Lafayette, Erie and Superior and clamoring for businesses and offering incentives. The building she is in is for sale and she has to decide what to do. David Sinkey said Louisville does not cater well to people who live downtown. On a day to day basis, there is not "useful" retail for daily needs. He feels that, politically, if you change anything you'll meet very strong resistance. He feels he may need to start