Article Contributed on: 1/22/2009 1:50:32 PM
Economic development officials in Commerce City launched a study this week aimed at evaluating the city's retail market. The city hopes to use the study to learn more about what types of businesses and services residents want.
The city's economic development department hired The Retail Coach, a Mississipi-based retail and development research firm, to conduct a survey of the city's retail offerings, said
Brittany Morris, the city's economic development manager. The study, which will cost $60,000 to conduct, is expected to be completed this spring, she said.
"The purpose is to position Commerce City for when the market bounces back, so we'll be ready to go in and target the retail component of the community," Morris said. "We're asking (The Retail Coach) to look at how and where residents spend money. We're looking to learn more about what we could provide for our residents and what we can do to make Commerce City a more attractive community."
The findings of the study will be included in the city's comprehensive plan update, a guiding document that will direct future land use, economic development, transportation planning and other issues for the next 20 years. The plan hasn't been updated since 1985, according to the city.
Representatives with The Retail Coach visited the city from Jan. 20 to 22 to meet with individual stakeholders in the community, including residents, businesses and retailers, she said.
"We want them to come in with a fresh set of eyes and give some pretty viable recommendations," she said.
A community needs assessment survey, conducted by Corona Research in 2005 and updated in 2008, revealed opinions on economic development varied largely based on residents' income levels and location. Respondents whose income fell in the $30-40,000 bracket were generally satisfied with economic development in the city while those in the $50-75,000 and $100,000 and above brackets were less satisfied.
Likewise, residents in the south part of the city were twice as likely to report being satisfied with economic development than residents in the north. The north end of the city, which includes new developments such as Reunion, has been undergoing rapid housing construction but commercial and retail development has come slower.
"We have seen more retail and commercial business near Reunion," one respondent noted, "but certainly not enough."
The findings of the retail study are hoped to be presented to city council in a few months, Morris said.
So what do you think Commerce City residents? What would you like to see more of in the city? More shopping centers? Restaurants? Grocery stores?
Leave a comment below and we may include it alongside this story in an upcoming print edition. You also can e-mail your comments to Joseph Kirchmer at kirchmerj@yourhub.com.