mpls downtown council launches first annual downtown mpls retail report to support attracting retail to the city

The mpls downtown council (mdc) and its partners announced today they are launching yes mpls downtown retail report, an initiative aimed at attracting brick-and-mortar retail to downtown—particularly along Nicollet between 5th and 10th streets.

The initiative, a byproduct of mdc’s Intersections: The Downtown 2025 Plan’s retail task force, will be updated annually and serve as a tool to showcase downtown’s thriving environment, help fuel development strategies and attract business and retail to downtown Minneapolis.

The retail report, which contains detailed breakdowns on development and investments, office market and workforce, mobility, residents, retail and restaurants, tourism and attractions and more, is designed to showcase why downtown Minneapolis is an attractive place for local and national companies and retailers.

Now with a newly-redesigned Nicollet, the Dayton’s Project underway, renovations of buildings like RSM Plaza, Gaviidae Common and RBC Plaza #OnNicollet, along with the recent additions of HopCat, Devil’s Advocate, Nordstrom Rack, the renovated Target flagship store and others, it is an ideal time to begin new conversations about retail opportunities in downtown Minneapolis.

“The yes mpls downtown retail report clearly showcases why downtown Minneapolis is the economic engine of our region and how new and renovated office space, greener public spaces, improved sports facilities, new restaurants and incredible entertainment options all provide the backdrop for a changing and revitalizing retail scene,” said Steve Cramer, president and ceo of the mpls downtown council.  “This report clearly spells out the vibrant energy coursing through our downtown that has served to attract not only a tremendous amount of development, but also a strong, highly educated workforce and a thriving and growing residential community, all of which will lead to investment in the coming years.”

The 2025 plan’s retail task force, co-chaired by David Frank and Jim Durda, first convened in late 2016 and brought together more than 30 individuals representing downtown’s retail community, property ownership, brokers, community partners and real estate entities, to develop a strategy for enticing retail to the city’s core.

The task force moved forward six recommendations, one of which called for a comprehensive data source, updated annually, that would be useful to any party interested in contributing to the vitality of the core retail district. The full recommendations included:

  • Define, publicize and market a core downtown retail district: 5th to 10th on Nicollet
  • Create a comprehensive data source, updated annually, to promote downtown retail
  • Organize an on-going alliance of stakeholders for the area to meet regularly focusing on:
    • Communication and alignment of interests
    • Coordination of messaging and programming
    • Cross-promotions
    • Cooperative and coordinated tenant recruitment
  • Examine signage and other regulatory requirements for the area and enact any needed changes that facilitate a vibrant retail core
  • Work to develop smaller store footprints and more “doors on the street”
  • Integrate Nicollet and general downtown safety and activation strategies with activities of the core retail district alliance

The first report, which contains 2017 data, is available online at mplsdowntown.com/retail-report. A 2018 report, which will be available in hard copy and online, will be completed in the coming months and will feature updated information aligned with new data that will be announced at the 2019 mpls downtown council annual meeting on Wednesday, February 13 at The Armory.

The report was developed by the mpls downtown council, with support from the City of Minneapolis Community Planning & Economic Development department (CPED), and the Minneapolis Foundation.  The report’s project management and design was done by Evans Larson Communications.

 

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