Economic Development

Visioning, Market Assessments & Development Strategy Robina Town Centre, Queensland, Australia

To investigate the best location and economic potential for the rail terminus of the Gold Coast '96 Brisbane train connection at the RTC to maximize both commercial and mix use development potential, we came up with a highest and best use development strategy. This involved a large, new multi-faceted town centre on the Gold Coast serving the entire region (about 400,000 residents and several million visitors). We benchmarked successful town centers & ‘edge cities’ throughout North America. The land uses we conducted market studies on included various types of retail and commercial uses, knowledge based/office/business park, hotels arts & cultural facilities, residential, and open space/recreational uses.

Uptown Rutland Transit Bus Station & Town Centre Market Assessment, Kelowna, BC

We completed a market assessment for various land uses, concentrating on mixed use development and retail merchandising strategies (including Point Of View consumer research) as well as success principles and pitfalls to avoid, based on Transit Oriented Development (TOD) case studies associated with transit stations throughout North America. We also identified the key principles for successful pedestrian oriented town centre developments and TODs as well as created an action plan.

Highest & Best Use Development Strategy & Master Plan for Bridge Bay Marina lands, Westbank, BC

The land uses we examined included expansion of the marina and related uses, a maritime and public market, residential and resort hotel facilities all situated on WFN leased waterfront lands next to the bridge to Kelowna.

‘Market driven’ development strategy & master plan for Vail Valley Center, Avon, CO

We employed a Highest & Best Use Development Strategy for a 190-acre master planned mixed use (MXD) town center development serving the entire Vail Valley. Uses included retail (restaurants & entertainment), hotels, high technology, office & business park, residential, medical or wellness facilities, and other institutional facilities and services. The master plan supported by extensive market research yielded two main commercial MXD hubs which included: (1) ‘big box’ and power center developments complementing the town’s Wal-Mart and (2) a pedestrian oriented town center with lifestyle/entertainment based retail, high technology/business parks, community sports and recreation uses connecting the two commercial precincts. We contacted key national & state corporations and other users to assess their interest in locating to this ‘town center’ mixed use project.

Economic Development Strategy, District of North Vancouver, BC

We directed the completion of an economic development strategy focusing on commercial/light industrial, hotel and mixed use development. We relocated some commercial uses along the major thoroughfare from Marine Drive to stimulate MXD there and the development of Harbourfront Business Park, Auto Mall and waterfront MXD.

Cypress Mountain Skier Surveys, West Vancouver, BC

Using the Point of View Survey System TREC International assessed skiers’ satisfaction of existing recreation, retail & restaurant facilities plus determined importance & phasing of various ski infrastructure, expanded services, food & beverage facilities, and potential to tap into a larger regional resident market. This was instrumental in not only ongoing marketing but also obtaining funding approval for the mountain’s new facilities supplementing those provided by the Provincial and Federal governments for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games '96 the snowboarding, and freestyle venue. 2001-2006 seasons.

Visioning, Market & Economic Analysis, and Development Strategy including Master Plan for Mount Washington Alpine Resort, near Courtenay, BC

An integral part of this project was deriving & testing uses, activities and programs, including operational and marketing recommendations that repositioned the mountain from largely a local winter operation into a regional multi-use/season attraction and recreation resort for both regional residents and tourists alike. Uses examined were retail, residential, hotels, and various other leisure facilities to stimulate visitation and revenues. Extensive market and consumer research was conducted on the market for various residential types, co-tourism, Nordic skiing, and other non- downhill skiing markets which resulted in effective marketing to off-season markets, including attracting Nordic skiers training for the 2010 Winter Olympics.

Tourism Investment Strategy, Town of Tumbler Ridge, BC

We evaluated of the best tourism investment opportunities based on market assessments, site and locational characteristics.

The Power & Light (Urban Entertainment) District, Kansas City

This involved town centre and tenant mix planning for retail, restaurant, entertainment, arts, and cultural uses of a 28-block historic downtown site known as The Power & Light District, anchored by a 30 screen American Multiplex Cinema facility. Pre-leasing activities during project implementation.