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<br />Case # 3 <br /> <br />Consider Attendance at ICSC Chicago Deal Making <br />By: Sean M. Sullivan, Economic Development Coordinator <br /> <br />Background: <br /> <br />The EDA hired the Buxton Group to conduct a market study for Town Center and the 167th Commercial <br />node. The EDA authorized sending the Economic Development Coordinator and City Administrator to <br />accompany the City Council at the Global ICSC Conference in ~ay and valuable .connections were made <br />with key retail decision makers. Good discussions were held with Bass Pro Shop, CVSand Buffalo Wild <br />Whigs to name a few. The City purchased 150 acres of Town Center on June 26th and a Steering <br />committee has been formed to help re-vision the Town Center project and to make recommendations on <br />how the project might move forward both in structure and in form.. A City Council contingent also made <br />a trip to Altoona, IA for a grand opening of the Bass Pro Shop location to complete a detailed follow-up <br />and to learn more about what this particular retailer needs to consummate a deal. Staff has also remained <br />in contact whhretailers from Global ICSC via e-mail, updating them as to the status of the Town Center <br />project. <br /> <br />It is important to continue to have a presence in the retail world in order to remain relevant to key <br />decision makers. ICSC Chicago will have a number of retailers and brokers present with a purpose of <br />making some deals to move forward on projects. To date, the Steering Committee has not completed its <br />re-visioning of Town Center and no formal recommendations have been made specific to the future of <br />Town Center. New marketing packages for Town Center will need to be developed at a later date, once <br />recommendations from the Steering Committee regarding vision, branding and marketing are made. <br />However, some marketing materials that are site specific could be prepared for some of the contacts that <br />were previously established. Our Town Center website could be updated which would also make our <br />unused cue cards current marketing material again. Mayor Ramsey has already signed up for the <br />conference and is planning on touring other transit-based developments while in Chicago. Darrin Lazan, <br />of Landform, will also be in attendance. The HRA will consider other City Council attendees prior to this <br />meeting. The EDA should consider the level of attendance in ICSC Chicago. This event is smaller in <br />nature but maintaining a presence in the retail world is important. <br /> <br />The cost for registration to the just conference is $325 for members with lodging starting at $225 per <br />night per person. Travel could be done via auto and this would make visiting transit-based developments <br />more efficient. The EDA should consider attendance at the conference and make a motion to authorize <br />registration, travel and lodging if a decision is made to proceed. If the EDA does not attend ICSC it <br />should ask for an update as to the findings and lessons learned. <br /> <br />Funding Source: EDA Budget <br /> <br />Staff Recommendation: Authorize registration, travel and lodging for the Economic Development <br />Coordinator and City Administrator to attend ICSC Chicago. <br /> <br />EDA Action: <br /> <br />Based on Discussion. <br /> <br />Attachment: <br />ICSC Chicago Deal Making <br /> <br />EDA: 10.08.09 <br /> <br />15 <br />