ROSENOW SPEVACEK GROUP (RSG) - 2015

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Task 4: Establish Shared Vision of Economic Priorities and Actions Based on the Five Year Strategic Plan Priority Economic Development Issues Task 4a: Review and Modify Land Lisa Controls that Encourage Business Development, and Address Development potential 1. RSG will conduct a high -level market assessment of the office, Industrial, and retail markets to provide a reasonable range of any additional commercial square footage Santa Ana may be able to obtain, based upon regionally projected Jab growth, vacancy rates, competitive lease rates, and other related factors. 2. Vtillzing cluster data from earlier Task 1, RSG will determine the business sectors most likely to be attracted to Santa Ana in particular, and research the types of Infrastructure these businesses require, e.g, access to fiber networks, freeways, airports, educated workforce, etc. 3, RSG will engage City staff In a working group discussion related to existing land use controls that either foster or Inhibit the types of growth or change that could occur In the business community with the right encouragement. Infrastructure needs will be included in this discussion. Based an this conversation, RSG will draft land use policy options that will benefit the business community for City consideration as the General Pian update process unfolds. Task 4b: Implement Strong Customer Relations Between the City and the Business Community, Including Business Outreach 1. The great thing about City Interactions with the business community is that they are entirely within the City's control to manage and modify as needed. And while good customer relations will always be critical to a successful economic development strategy, we believe a part of this EDSP will be about Identifying the target business audiences the City can focus on currently and In the near future in order to he most effective. 2. To achieve insight Into customer relationships, RSG recommends convening of a limited number of business owners and developers that have recent interactions with the City to share their experiences, As a result of these two tasks, we can make recommendations on best practices for staff /business Interactions that are grounded In job growth and retention priorities. Task 4c; Continued Concentration on DTBA as a Focal Point of Interest for Regional Att r action s and Activities, Dining and Nightlife, urban Living, Jobs, and Connectivity, Including Business Outreach 1. As a tsn�year member of the DTSA community, we believe we can garner a number of unique perspectives on doing business in downtown that will help to frame further discussion on the evolution of the area both as a magnet for enfreprenours as well as a regional focal point. Our outreach efforts will focus on uncovering why businesses and residents are choosing DTSA, what's working well, and why any suggested Improvements would benefit long -term and next - generatlon Investors, 2. Working with City and community partners that put on events such as Cinco de Mayo Festival, the Patchwork Indie Arts and Crafts Festival, and First Saturdays, RSG will drill down Into the social and economic successes had by large -scale events, and their Impact on City services, 3. As a result, RSG will put forward a series of recommendations focused on continued viability and vigor of the downtown area.