ECONOMICS + URBAN ANALYTICS
what we do
The Economics + Urban Analytics team is a blend of highly experienced professionals with a proven track record of successfully meeting client needs across a wide range of sectors including community planning initiatives, institutional and agency support, private development, litigation, public and private utilities, and strategic funding solutions.
Effectively managing complex public and private resources requires more than just understanding basic facts—it demands the ability to transform data into actionable insights. In today's environment, market analytics should be leveraged when making decisions across both public and private markets.
WE DO ANALYTICS
Our commitment to meeting client needs enhances opportunities by delivering data-driven insights derived from analyzing a community's physical, social, and economic elements. The foundation of our approach lies in the extensive use of data, statistical and quantitative analysis, and the development of explanatory and predictive models, enabling fact-based management to guide decisions and actions.
" risk comes from not knowing what you ' re doing . "
— Warren Buffet
economics + urban analytics team
Making the right decision is always better with the right information. GAI's Community Solutions Group (CSG) Economics + Urban Analytics team is a blend of highly experienced professionals who can help maximize market opportunities with the appropriate mix of analytical insight.
LAURA SMITH, MPA , Fra- ra Director, Economics + Urban Analytics
Ms. Smith serves as Director of the Economics + Urban Analytics Group who conducts and oversees the research and analysis of market, economic, and demographic data; commercial, industrial, and multifamily performance indicators; census data; and employment statistics
for various products of the firm. Ms. Smith served as a professional municipal planner for 6 years, expanding her expertise to include writing and updating land development codes, development plan reviews, comprehensive plan rewrites and updates, comprehensive
plan Evaluation and Appraisal Reports (EAR), Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Findings of Necessity (FON), and redevelopment plans.
Ms. Smith is a graduate of University of South Florida, where she earned an MPA in Public Administration and a bachelor's in Political Science. She earned her master’s in Urban and Regional Planning (MURP) certificate from the University of Central Florida. Ms. Smith currently serves on the Planning and Zoning Board of Lake County, Florida.
contact L.Smith@gaiconsultants.com
321.319.3088
NATALIE FRAZIER, MBA , Fra- ra Urban Analytics Manager
Ms. Frazier serves as the Urban Analytics Manager for the Economics + Urban Analytics Group who takes an innovative approach to presenting economic data by using informative, easy-toread graphics which provide
HANNAH
a snapshot of pertinent information. Her essential duties include delivering key insights that educate and influence economic business decisions; assisting with strategic, economic, and financial planning services;
conducting economic and fiscal impact studies; and designing market studies and reports.
Ms. Frazier is a graduate from the University of Florida, where she earned an MBA in Business Administration and
HOLLINGER, MURP, leed ap o+m Urban Planner + GIS Analyst
Ms. Hollinger has a comprehensive academic background in environmental and planning topics, and utilizes GIS applications to conduct spatial analyses and modeling for tasks such as data
verification, site selection, and land suitability analyses.
As a LEED-accredited professional, Ms. Hollinger has a solid background leading sustainability and green building initiatives,
such as authoring water conservation, climate action, and campus master plans.
Ms. Hollinger holds a master’s in Urban and Regional Planning (MURP), as well as a bachelor’s in Environmental Studies—both from the University of Central Florida.
graduated Cum Laude with a double-major BA degree in Economics and Political Science. contact N.Frazier@gaiconsultants.com 321.445.8024
contact H.Hollinger@gaiconsultants.com 321.319.2516
THOMAS KOHLER Senior Director
Mr. Kohler has extensive experience in strategic planning and public policy, project implementation strategies, and public-private negotiations. In his 22 years serving as Executive Director of Orlando's Downtown Development Board (DDB) and Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), he was involved in the planning, programming, and development of more than $500 million in public and private ventures.
contact
T.Kohler@gaiconsultants.com
321.319.3133
OWEN BEITSCH , PHD, Faicp,
Senior Director
Dr. Beitsch is active in the management and execution of complex studies for public and private clients. He has a particular interest in special real estate issues set in mature urban environments. He has held an active leadership role in the Tampa Downtown Partnership, and is a founding member of the Orlando Neighborhood Improvement Corporation.
contact
O.Beitsch@gaiconsultants.com
321.319.3131
OUR PEOPLE MAKE THE DIFFERENCE
service highlights
CULTIVATING ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES
We help communities cultivate locally existing assets, entrepreneurial skills, and business ideas. Opportunities are driven by local economic fundamentals and by leveraging strengths and resources across multiple disciplines with shared objectives. The real estate and economic development industries associate community sustainability with measures of population growth, job creation, and local financial capacity. Planners, on the other hand, see sustainability expressed in terms of community function—attributes of livability, place, and broadened appeal to a wider intergenerational population. We understand the importance of the interplay between these needs and how to direct a community’s specific capability to achieve their fundamental visions of “a special place to live.”
SERVICES
Redevelopment + Strategic Action Planning
Real Estate Analysis + Strategies
Economic Development Prospectus
Market Reporting
Public-Private Partnerships
Incentives + Partnerships
SAMPLE PROJECTS
Market Reports
– Orlando | Tampa | Zephyrhills | West 192 District | Charleston BID | Southland Development Authority
Opportunity Zone Prospectus
– Orange County | Orlando | Tampa | Jacksonville | Zephyrhills | Charleston BID | Southland Development Authority | Town of Cutler Bay
Inverness Depot District Development Solicitation
C ity of Tampa Market Report and Prospectus
City of Orlando Market Report
City of Jacksonville Prospectus
Town of Cutler Bay Prospectus
PLANNING, BUILDING, DEVELOPING, AND SUSTAINING COMMUNITIES
Successful CRA programs are characterized by the ability to implement a variety of projects based on the community’s specific goals and objectives. CSG professionals add value to clients' decision-making processes through customized, innovative strategies that equip CRAs for future growth and maximize the potential for redevelopment opportunities. Our team’s extensive experience ensures clients are paired with knowledgeable professionals sensitive to the public sector environment in which CRA projects are developed. We have been “in the trenches”—developing and updating plans for CRAs in small municipalities as well as in large, high-profile cities. Our services include establishing budgets, generating resources, managing projects and programs, and engaging the public—all in concert with local political realities.
SERVICES
Economic Development Planning
Community Revitalization
Tax Benefit Analysis
SAMPLE PROJECTS
High Springs CRA Strategic Action Plan
I-Drive CRA Plan
OBTNext Corridor Plan Implementation
Sebastian CRA Master Redevelopment Plan
Winter Park CRA Master Redevelopment Plan
Zephyrhills CRA Master Redevelopment Plan
OPTIMIZING PUBLIC AND PRIVATE RESOURCES
Scarcity of resources is a basic economic problem in both public and private markets, and will always exist. With the ability to manage very complex systems with significantly large amounts of data, we help public and private clients understand optimal solutions for creating value, generating revenue, or minimizing the effects of added costs.
SERVICES
Bond and Revenue Funding Strategies
Financial Modeling
Market Studies
Cost of Service Allocation
Tax Increment Finance (TIF) Districts
Rate and Fee Studies
SAMPLE PROJECTS
Jacksonville Beach Market Analysis
City of Wildwood Housing Study
Port St. Lucie Planning and Infrastructure Study
St. Johns County Market Analysis
Bellmont Promenade Bond Revenue Study
Downtown Kissimmee Site Redevelopment Tax Increment Analysis
UNDERSTANDING COMMUNITY IMPACTS OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE DECISIONS
For many communities, understanding economic and fiscal outcomes alone meet their needs for measuring community impacts. However, the broader context of community impacts includes concepts of employment growth, the nature of jobs, educational opportunities, safety and welfare, income and wealth, among others, of which economic and fiscal impacts are a subset. We assist both public and private clients with these types of impact analyses that provide the information needed for insightful decisions on government agency matters and private undertakings.
SERVICES
Fiscal Impacts
Economic Impacts
Cost-Benefit Analysis
Socio-Economic Analysis
SAMPLE PROJECTS
Villages at Town Center Fiscal Impact Analysis
Osceola County Trail Economic + Fiscal Impact Analysis
Atlantic Fields Economic + Fiscal Impact Analysis
Champions Gate Economic + Fiscal Impact Analysis
Three Lakes Economic + Fiscal Impact Analysis
Osceola County Trail
Economic + Fiscal Analysis
Osceola County Park
Economic + Fiscal Analysis
DRIVING DECISION-MAKING
Decision-making in the "information age" is a complex matter. As more data becomes available and accessible, leaders in both public and private markets are pressed to understand what that data means for their decisions. We help clients integrate data into their decision-making processes by providing the critical insights, challenges, and opportunities discovered through data analysis.
SERVICES
Community-Wide Systems Planning
– Parks and Open Space System Planning
– Level of Service Analysis
– Bike and Pedestrian Master Planning
– Connectivity and Mobility Planning
– Wayfinding and Environmental Graphic Design
Land Use Analysis
– Small Area and Corridor Planning
– Resiliency and Sustainability
– Feasibility Analysis
– Economic Development Strategies
SAMPLE PROJECTS
SR 200 "Timber to Tides Trail" Corridor Design Study
Orange County Parks Growth Analysis
New Smyrna Beach Strategic Planning Framework
Zephyrhills Development Opportunities
Winter Park Retail and Gap Analysis
S.R. 200 "Timber to
Trail" Corridor Design Study
Orange County Parks Growth Analysis
Smyrna Beach
Tides
PLANNING + URBAN DESIGN
Master Planning & Community Design
Community Redevelopment Agency Plans
Urban Infill & Mixed Use Development
Campus Master Planning
Neighborhood Design
TOD & Corridor Planning
Development Codes & Guidelines
Lotting & Site Plans
Land Entitlements
Comprehensive Regulatory Approvals
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE
Civic & Cultural Facilities
Streetscapes & Urban Places
Parks, Open Space & Trails
Campus & Institutional
Green Infrastructure & Healthy Design
ECONOMICS + URBAN ANALYTICS
Market Report
Economic Development Prospectus
Market Study
Real Estate Analysis & Strategies
Economic Impact Study
Fiscal Impact Study
Community-Wide Systems Planning
Land Use Analysis
Bond Feasibility Study
Cost of Service Allocation
Cost-Benefit Analysis
Financial Modeling
Rate & Fee Study
Socio-Economic Analysis
