AgdaPkt 2019-10-14 Joint SA PFA - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

S.A. - Page 43a6lL26 /<�ik Redwood CitylCallifornia Faunded 1867 A,&/ DATE: January 28, 2019 SUBJECT STAFF REPORT To the Honorable Mayor and City Council Downtown Retail Task Force Findings and Recommendations RECOMMENDATION 1. Accept the findings of the Downtown Retail Task Force; and From the City Manager 2. Direct staff to consider the guiding principles, conduct further study of the recommendations of the Downtown Retail Task Force, and present a "Retail Action Plan" that includes a timeline and next -steps for implementation by May 2019. STRATEGIC INITIATIVE Economic Development BACKGROUND On August 28, 2017, the City Council held a study session on Downtown retail and hotel opportunities and endorsed the creation of a Downtown Retail Task Force. The task force directives included: create a retail vision for Downtown Redwood City; determine any barriers to strengthening and increasing retail opportunities in the Downtown; and develop policy recommendations for addressing those barriers. For any city, a thriving Downtown is an indicator of that city's economic strengths. Redwood City's Downtown has a very low vacancy rate for ground floor retail space, which is an indicator of market strength, but is also a challenge to diversifying the Downtown's retail base. As such, task force meetings were designed to provide an opportunity to inform and educate businesses and community stakeholders who share a concern about the economic vitality of Downtown Redwood City, and provide a framework for recommending policies and initiatives to strengthen retail in the Downtown. The task force's findings and recommendations would also assist the City with proactive efforts to attract and support new retail to the Downtown. City of Redwood City 1017 Middlefield Road, Redwood City, CA. 94063 Tel: 650-780-7000 www.redwoodcity.ore 1103