Knowledge Center
Economic Development
A primary objective for place managers is fostering a healthy, sustainable, diverse and prosperous economy for the managed place. The place manager collaborates and works closely with various levels of local and regional economic development organizations, developers, real estate brokers, private firms, philanthropic foundations, destination management organizations, non-profits, and state and federal government agencies, while representing the specific and unique needs, challenges and trends of the managed place.
Additionally, the place manager will work to recruit and retain businesses, conduct market research, encourage a strong local workforce, maintain a diverse mix of commercial and residential development, and facilitate a built environment that is accessible for all users to live, work, play, visit and invest.
Cultivating Placemaking with Economic Impact
Economic Development drives our mission to support constituents and ratepayers while enhancing place vibrancy through programming, events, art and merchant support—all within a clean, safe environment. How can we choose the right path and maximize our initiatives?
We’d love for you to see this member-only resource to help make a difference in your district. Make sure you are logged in or join IDA to learn more about how members get sh*t done!
From Vacant to Vibrant – Adaptive Reuse Strategies for the Great Lakes
Transforming underutilized buildings can drive economic growth, create jobs and revitalize communities. Discover case studies from the Great Lakes region, showcasing adaptive reuse as a cost-effective, sustainable solution. Gain insights on leveraging retrofits to reduce costs and carbon emissions while improving community outcomes.
We’d love for you to see this member-only resource to help make a difference in your district. Make sure you are logged in or join IDA to learn more about how members get sh*t done!
Supporting an Experience Economy – One Free Concert at a Time
In our post-COVID world, Downtowns are transforming into 18-hour entertainment districts fueled by the experience economy. Free, high-caliber concerts in Dayton and other cities catalyze consumer spending and propel further downtown investments. Get a crash course in the principles of the experience economy and gain insight into today’s consumer preferences.
We’d love for you to see this member-only resource to help make a difference in your district. Make sure you are logged in or join IDA to learn more about how members get sh*t done!
Starting From Scratch
Due to the damage wrought by the pandemic, and/or the lack of a true “center” amidst rising demands for one, many communities are struggling to revive or establish downtown retail districts from a base of what feels like nothing. Unearth and tap the latent potential that still exists in urban and suburban settings.
We’d love for you to see this member-only resource to help make a difference in your district. Make sure you are logged in or join IDA to learn more about how members get sh*t done!
Entertainment Zones Unleashed – A Blueprint for California’s Downtowns
This presentation covers Entertainment Zone legislation to energize public spaces and activate downtowns across California. Discover practical strategies to transform underutilized spaces into lively social hubs that enhance community engagement and stimulate local economies.
We’d love for you to see this member-only resource to help make a difference in your district. Make sure you are logged in or join IDA to learn more about how members get sh*t done!
The Transformational Impact of PPP for Downtown Revitalization
Vacant to Vibrant is a public-private partnership (PPP) revitalizing downtown San Francisco through community-driven pop-ups. The initiative supports small businesses, artists and cultural organizations in activating vacant storefronts. The program has brought together the public and private sectors to address urban challenges and work collaboratively to envision and build a dynamic future for downtown.
We’d love for you to see this member-only resource to help make a difference in your district. Make sure you are logged in or join IDA to learn more about how members get sh*t done!
Top Issues Council Brief: Downtown Investment
Shifting work patterns, downsizing, flight to quality and weak leasing markets have raised concerns about downtowns’ economic resilience, urban vibrancy, talent retention, and community engagement. This brief reviews the role of UPMOs, examining challenges facing both office and retail markets.
Read MoreAdvancing Places: Investing Downtown
In spring and summer of 2024, six urban place management leaders from around the U.S. worked collaboratively to define critical investment issues facing UPMOs. Learn about their conclusions regarding office to housing conversions, retail reinvigoration, shifts in messaging and the internal structure of the traditional UPMO.
Read MoreEmptying Houses of Worship – Strategies for Downtowns
The tsunami of emptying houses of worship engulfing the U.S. and Canada requires place management professionals and volunteers to reach out to the faith community, understand the regulatory environment, and consider creative solutions to what is becoming one of downtowns’ top challenges.
We’d love for you to see this member-only resource to help make a difference in your district. Make sure you are logged in or join IDA to learn more about how members get sh*t done!
Community-Centered Economic Inclusion
This session addressed lessons from a community-centered economic inclusion initiative in Detroit and Puget Sound. It focuses on bridging the gap between underinvested areas and regions of opportunity, offering a framework for inclusive economic revitalization and connecting business districts with local residents.
We’d love for you to see this member-only resource to help make a difference in your district. Make sure you are logged in or join IDA to learn more about how members get sh*t done!
