Retail is on the rise in San Fran, and infill development is a win in Boise
Mar 2, 2015
Here are the news stories you might have missed last week:
The New York Times: Downtown Cincinnati thrives as riots’ memories recede
Cincinnati is undergoing a quiet rebirth. The city saw a decrease in residents and businesses after the 2001 riots, but now Cincinnati is regaining economic ground. The city’s downtown district is experiencing a rush of new commercial development in the office, retail, and multifamily sectors, aided by the long-standing financial encouragement from legacy enterprise companies like GE. Read about all of Cincinnati’s new development at NYTimes.com.
Crain’s Detroit Business: Investors see downtown Ann Arbor as hub for tech startups
Ann Arbor might not be the first city you think of when you mention tech hubs, but that hasn’t stopped the region from striving to be a new startup hotbed. A group of investors are purchasing office buildings throughout the city in order to develop a business incubator and transform Ann Arbor into the next hotspot for technology firms. These types of businesses — small, young, and broke — aren’t traditional office building tenants, but as downtown city centers continue to woo top talent, these nontraditional moves might help recruit and retain employees in the region, encouraging additional growth and development. Learn more at CrainsDetroit.com.
Idaho Statesman: In Boise, development turns to filling in gaps
Boise is the new poster child of infill development — redeveloping or retrofitting undeveloped lots in established neighborhoods. A local contractor recently completed an overhaul of Downtown Boise’s historic Owyhee Hotel, and now the company is planning to construct a seven-story apartment building in the Central Addition neighborhood. While infill development can often be a tough sell to government officials and locals, Boise stands as the perfect city for this type of construction. Infill developments are most often a success when they match the area and when the demand, like it is in Boise, is present. Find out more about Boise’s renovation at IdahoStatesman.com.
San Francisco Business Times: Why these are boom times for some Bay Area malls
The Bay Area is booming thanks to its growth as a tech hub, and the influx of new businesses and office buildings is now having an impact on the region’s shopping centers. These retail centers are experiencing low vacancy rates, and power centers — shopping centers anchored by large national retailers — are seeing occupancy rates at an all-time high. The success of these spaces, as well as Class A properties and enclosed malls, underscores the fact that property owners need to invest money into properties in order to stay competitive. Find out how other types of malls are performing at BizJournals.com.
Author: Raymond T. Cirz
