|
Chris Brewer
<br />Downtown — Attractions & Venues
<br />Downtown Dallas Farmers Market Master Plan, Dallas, TX
<br />For the City of Dallas, Mr. Brewer completed a market and
<br />financial assessment for the Dallas Farmers Market. The effort
<br />included evaluation of recent downtown housing trends in
<br />downtown Dallas, as weB as a review of recent retail, office,
<br />transportation, and tourism development trends in the city. The
<br />approach led to identification of repositioning strategies for the
<br />market.
<br />Iowa Events Center, Des Moines, IA
<br />Between 1997 and 2009, Mr. Brewer worked with Polk County,
<br />and the Greater Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau.
<br />to evaluate Veterans Auditorium, the Polk County Convention
<br />Center (the Plex), and the Des Moines Civic Center theater, to
<br />determine if these venues were adequate to serve existing and
<br />future markets. Our 1997 master plan identified a $250 - million
<br />convention and arena development program, along with event,
<br />attendance, business plan, and economic impact forecasts for
<br />the proposed complex.
<br />In 2000, we were engaged to review three revised convention
<br />and arena development options. Based in part on our work,
<br />local officials began construction of the Wells Fargo Arena and
<br />the HyVee Exhibit Hall; the two venues opened by 2006. In
<br />2008, we were engaged by the Polk County Board of
<br />Supervisors to evaluate further expansion of the IEC, with
<br />about 60,000 sq. fl, of new meeting and ballroom space.
<br />Subsequent to this study, the county approved plans to expand
<br />the IEC again.
<br />Convention Center Assessment, Kalamazoo, MI
<br />An evaluation of the market for a new convention center in the
<br />downtown area, built in proximity to a renovated Radisson
<br />Hotel. The assessment considered existing meeting space in
<br />the market, competition from other destinations in Michigan,
<br />and a full survey of meeting planners active in the state, to
<br />Confirm the current destinations of groups, their sizes, room
<br />demands, and space requirements.
<br />Convention Center Assessment, Dayton, OH
<br />The Dayton Convention Center's strategic market position was
<br />assessed. This venue had already been expanded once since
<br />its opening in the 1SN's. The assessment considered the
<br />available number of downtown hotel rooms, proximate parking
<br />availability, costs of air travel, and proximity to Columbus, the
<br />State's primary destination for state level conventions. Case
<br />studies of competing Midwestern cities were also completed.
<br />The neighborhood around the convention center was also
<br />R9surne
<br />studied, evaluating it as a potential area for broader
<br />development of urban entertainment functions. The
<br />assessment focused on recent operating revenue and expense
<br />trends at the facility, as well as implications for capital
<br />improvement needs. The assessment considered how
<br />changes in event activity may impact the convention centers
<br />mandate to cover its operating costs in the future.
<br />Downtown f Arena District Master Plan
<br />Wichita, KS
<br />For the City of Wichita, Mr. Brewer evaluated downtown real
<br />estate market and demographic conditions, as pan of a broader
<br />downtown master planning effort, centered on plans to build a
<br />new mufti- purpose arena in the downtown area. The approach
<br />included evaluation of real estate market conditions for
<br />downtown housing and retail, factoring in the evolution of
<br />projects such as Waterwalk and the proximate historic district.
<br />
|