How we assist our clients

Recent revisions to the NJ Urban Enterprise Zone legislation provide opportunities and funding for UEZ towns. Each UEZ town is required to create a detailed Zone Development Plan that provides their vision for creating economic growth in the community. With more than 15 years of experience with UEZ communities, we are well experienced in building and implementing plans that create economic growth.

Revitalizing downtowns begins by understanding who visits and how they use the area. Our Community Insights® process provides a comprehensive fact-based analysis of the community and the trade area. Because our analysis is more realistic, it is also more effective in bringing new development, stores, restaurants and shoppers to the area. Our implementation assistance helps clients turn concepts into successful growth and revitalization.

Building stronger organizations begins with a clear understanding of where the organization is, where it wants to go, and the tools it needs to get there. We help organizations to see their challenges and opportunities, and to better understand the steps to take towards a stronger future. Our organizational assessments are comprehensive and inclusive, and our strategies are fact-based, realistic and effective.

Stimulating economic growth in commercial corridors works best with a proactive action plan. Business Improvement Districts (BIDs), Main Street organizations, Urban Enterprise Zones (UEZ), and similar organizations need an effective growth strategy, and that starts with a comprehensive assessment. Our needs assessments look at stakeholder and consumer preferences, demographic and economic growth potential, nearby competition, and much more. Our goal is to provide a fact-based assessment from which to make strategic plans and goals.

Rather than wait to see if anyone shows up, we help our clients identify the best uses for areas or properties in need of redevelopment. Our comprehensive approach includes conceptualizing projects, marketing the project, recruiting redevelopers and end users.

We help our clients identify and bring the right mix of stores, restaurants and other businesses to their commercial district or shopping center. Our approach is proactive and begins with an analysis of consumer spending and preferences within the trade area. Then we develop marketing materials, pre-qualify prospective businesses and launch a thorough outreach effort.

When engaged with large or controversial projects, public outreach and communications is essential. We work directly with community leaders and organizations to gain insight into their concerns and minimize the spread of misinformation. By engaging the public early and often, many projects can avoid delays and public opposition, while building community trust.

Consumers won’t visit areas if they don’t feel safe. Overcoming this concern is critical in revitalization and redevelopment efforts. Our CPTED-based strategies can enhance perceptions of safety and security through design elements and changes to the physical environment. This not only helps to reduce the burden on law enforcement resources, but it can create a more appealing and inviting environment for consumers while stimulating new economic activity.