R2006-198 AUTHORIZING AGREEMENT WITH THE BUXTON GROUP

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ECONOMIC AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT MEMORANDUM Memo No. 06-293 December 12, 2006 TO: Honorable Mayor Paul Osborne and City Council Members FROM: Steve Garma ity Manager Dane C. Bragg AICP, Assistant City Manager� Mark L. Smith, Senior Pl f` SUBJECT: The Buxton Company—An Eco omic Development & Marketing Study SUMMARY RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of the attached professional services agreement with the Buxton Group to provide marketing and demographic analysis for up to three (3) retail sites in Decatur in an amount not to exceed $63,000. BACKGROLJND: This item was originally proposed as part of the Comprehensive Plan effort. At the request of the Council, it has been separated from that work element. Pursuant to questions raised by the Council at the November 6 City Council meeting, City staff inet with Matt Montgomery of Buxton Group to discuss options for the retail marketing study. Mr. Montgomery provided the following insights: 1. The site matching process will also cover sites in an approximate 2.5 to 3.0 mile range of the specific site; 2. Covering three distinct trade areas such as Mound Center, Downtown and the Southeast Corridor will cover the majority of the City and provide sufficient information for the entire City's marketing efforts; 3. The Council may elect to pursue full retail matching for all three sites (this can be accomplished for an additional $20,000), but it would be preferable to wait and review the preliminary analysis from Buxton before committing to an additional expenditure. Based on these factors, City staff recommends pursuing the project as proposed. Mr. Montgomery would be available to present the preliminary findings to Council in February. The City Council could decide at that time whether to pursue additional retail matching for the sites. POTENTIAL OBJECTIONS: None. INPUT FROM OTHER SOURCES: This study will be conducted in conjunction with representatives of the Economic Development Corporation. Mr. Montgomery will be in attendance at the December 18 Council meeting to answer any questions of the Council. STAFF REFERENCES: If Council members have questions they may contact Mark Smith, Senior Planner, 424-2790, or at mismith cr,decaturnet.org. BUDGET/TIME IMPLICATIONS: The project cost of$63,000 will be paid from the General Fund, Professional Services, Planning & Economic Development. The project cost has been discounted 10 percent if approved before December 31, 2006.