WORKSHOP ITEM - Erik Thorvig, Community Development Director
Title
URBAN LAND INSTITUTE (ULI) WORKSHOP
Background
The City of Blaine is a member of ULI Minnesota. The mission of ULI is to engage public and private sector leaders to foster collaboration, share knowledge and influence meaningful strategic action in the responsible use of land to create and sustain thriving communities.
ULI offers several free advisory services to cities. One of the workshops is titled “Navigating Your Competitive Future”. Navigating Your Competitive Future (NCF) is a two-hour interactive workshop with policy leaders and volunteer real estate professionals to focus on the current challenges of development and redevelopment. NCF is designed to foster a meaningful dialogue among the public and private sectors to strengthen a mutual understanding of today’s economic reality, market preferences and demographic shifts. Public officials will better understand the importance of effective partnerships and learn strategies to position your community to be competitive and resilient, and to attract the best quality development.
Attached is a map showing other communities who have participated in the NCF workshop. A majority of the metro cities have participated in the workshop and staff believes that now is a good time for Blaine to participate in the workshop given recent leadership changes, the implementation of the Strategic and 2040 Comprehensive Plans, and the desire of the City Council to learn about the development process and our position in the market.
The expert panel will include representatives from commercial/industrial real estate, housing, public finance, and public administration. A meeting amongst city staff and the panel will occur on Thursday, January 9 to finalize the agenda topics. Staff will provide the City Council the agenda on Friday, January 10 to allow time for preparation of questions or discussion topics from the City Council.
The format of the meeting will be different than a typical workshop and additional staff along, with the Planning Commission, will be invited.