World Business Chicago’s Post

American urbanist William Hollingsworth "Holly" Whyte Jr., in the early 1980s, spoke three words at a Pittsburgh lecture that shaped my life's work. "People," Whyte said, "attract people." That simple guidance informed me as I wrote the first article on the future of Pittsburgh's riverfronts (1986) and instigated the idea of continuous riverfront access as a co-founder of Friends of the Riverfront (1990). It later informed my writing of Tom Murphy's four-part policy Red Book (1993) and my participation in the Forbes Field II Task Force (1996) that envisioned PNC Park. The Urban Land Institute's recent Downtown Revitalization report to Point Park University presents an either/or fallacy of choosing between downtown as a Central Business District or a Central Neighborhood District. Elements of each will be required. Like many aspects of life, short-sighted profit motives often steer investments in high-end downtown housing, neglecting the needs of middle- and low-income participants. Downtown Pittsburgh thrived when all could enjoy the simple pleasures of Jenkins Arcade and Candy-Rama. Buried in the ULI's 71-slide deck are three simple words that honor William Whyte's legacy. "Remove (the) invisible wall." While the ULI sees the wall as the separation between the university and the universal, broad economic participation is the greater barrier. Somewhere between the extremes of haute couture and street-hustled vendor goods lies the economic mortar (produce from GC Murphy's New Diamond Market and Nicholas Coffee peanuts) that long glued downtown Pittsburgh together. https://lnkd.in/eKBTGr8R

I'm starting the year off right by launching a 2 hour 15 minute response video to the city council of Cedar Rapids downtown development plan. In the video I address the ongoing bias in development research by the city and its affiliates - bias that is resulting in unequal outcomes that push low-income earners out of neighborhoods and into poorly constructed mass housing. I also highlight some examples of downtown development from Denver including some kitchy art installed in the Dairy Block, a city/private development initiative in the same vein. If you're interested in city development, arts council work, diversity, equity, and inclusion, you'll likely be interested in this. #citydevelopment #cedarrapidsiowa #cedarrapids #publicart #publicprivatepartnerships #publicspace #publicspaces https://lnkd.in/gCbejFVU

Rather than subsidizing stadiums and kowtowing to conventioneers, #Chicago ought to be resourcing its extraordinary BIPOC artists and entrepreneurs, according to an opinion piece by PSP’s Philip Barash that was recently published in Crain's Chicago Business. They are shaping Chicago’s narrative for the next generation. They serve as global ambassadors for Chicago’s brand. And they are undoubtedly the city’s most valuable asset. In his article, Philip makes the case for celebrating and investing in Chicago’s culture-makers. He offers a counterpoint to all the pearl-clutching about Chicago’s reputational challenges. And he argues that the cities that are successfully repositioning themselves are those that recognize the assets already embedded in their communities. #opinion #cities #economicempowerment #publicsphereprojects

Not for or against this idea. Just thinking it through from a #marketdemand perspective. Is #induceddemand the driving theory behind this proposal? If #visitor-driven, how will location relate to where most downtown #hotel rooms are located (ie. towards #UnionSquare)? We’re working on #downtown #masterplans across the #unitedstates right now, so interested to see how this evolves and if it’s a model for other cities. #retailresilience #communitydesign #economicdevelopment #downtownrecovery #sanfrancisco #retail #foodandbeverage

It's taken a few months, but I have my newest deep dive history of downtown Gainesville, part two of a three-part history. The 1980's were the first steps in revitalization. By focusing on designing for people and investing in the arts we created the sparks that would make downtown a lively city center by the early 2000's. How we funded that and how these decisions made downtown what it is today was what I focused on. Give it a read and let me know what you think: https://lnkd.in/gdCwxspF

Excited to mark my 2-year anniversary at Juniper Square! As a proud Houstonian, I wanted to share an article on real estate developments in Houston. It's fascinating to see how Houston's new Master Communities are embracing a nature-centric approach. 🌿 Quick summary: 🚜Houston's Appeal: Houston offers great opportunities for large-scale development due to abundant land, water access, and development freedom, making it attractive for master-planned communities. 📈Rapid Growth: With around 100,000 people moving to Houston annually, demand for suburban homes is rising, driven by factors like lower cost of living and better schools. 🌳Nature-Centric Development: Buyers increasingly seek eco-friendly communities emphasizing nature and outdoor amenities, reflecting a trend amplified by the pandemic's focus on environment and community. 🏡Changing Work Dynamics: Hybrid work models are reshaping suburban life, creating demand for amenities like restaurants and offices within master-planned communities, offering convenience and shorter commutes.

Preserve Summerhall as a Cultural Hub in Edinburgh! Please sign this petition to protect Edinburgh's cultural heritage and preserve spaces like Summerhall for future generations. The potential sale of Summerhall, a vital cultural institution in the city, is deeply concerning. To the petition: https://chng.it/F88BGtwb6k Since its transformation from the Royal School of Veterinary Studies in 2011, Summerhall has been a thriving multi-arts venue, hosting over 110 companies, galleries, studios, and community spaces, such as the Artiscience Library, which international Bioartist Oron Catts, University of Western Australia, called "a unique treasure-house of inspiration”. To convert Summerhall into apartments or student flats would not only strip away a crucial cultural asset but also diminish the unique character of the community. We urge to explore alternative solutions that preserve Summerhall's role as a hub for creativity, innovation, and community engagement. Whether through community ownership, partnerships with cultural organizations, or other innovative approaches, there are viable alternatives that can ensure Summerhall's continued success. #art #innovation #creativity #galleries #studios #communityengagement #communityspace #culturalinstitute #STEAM #libraries #artiscience

Urban Land Institute‘s national advisory service panel came to stl with a powerhouse team of international and local experts to talk about downtown and the future of the Gareway Mall. See the report below for the full report. Exciting things to come in stl!

Repositioning can lead to remarkable outcomes, and we're thrilled to share a success story that came from navigating unexpected post-Covid tenant shuffle. Our skills in working across product types helped deliver a great outcome, and we're proud of the impact it's had for our tenants and the broader community. #repositioning #communityimpact #minnesotarealestate #retailrealestate

The root of crappy leadership is fear. Over eggs, toast, and coffee this morning, Asim and I talked about what it takes to gather a group of people and get them moving toward a positive, unified goal. Clearly one of his strengths because he's done several times in his career, Asim reminded me of the power of understanding the collective benefit of working together when we just decide that's what we're going to do. I saw many examples of bravery, excitement, and success from his experiences. (As a part of our chat, he shared this article from Steve Smith in the St. Louis Business Journal as a response to a The Wall Street Journal article on STL.) These regional issues are the same issues I see within many organizations. They're because a leader and/or group of people are operating from a place of fear. Fear keeps people and organizations not just stagnant, but eventually dry and dusty places where life used to be. What is one practical way you take action to solve problems as a leader? What is the impact you’ve noticed?