Client Samples
`
“PLACE has played an important role by listening to our needs and executing a plan that has proved to be very successful. The demographic and consumer comparison study has been a great tool for us to attract new business to our community. The business attraction forum developed by PLACE was a huge success with a great mix of landlords, brokers and potential tenants. We hope that other districts recognize the value and essential tools that PLACE Consulting offers, which are so needed to help keep our business districts thriving in such a challenging economy.” – Maureen Martino, Lakeview East Chamber
PLACE Consulting www.placeconsulting.net
Leadership and Organizational Development
Lincoln Park Commercial District Study
The Clark Street commercial area in Lincoln Park had strong local spending power and a stable community, yet was unable to compete with its more desirable regional neighbors. While other commercial areas nearby had become destinations for boutique clothing, dining variety, Clark Street had become a commercial area without a compelling identity, lacking a critical mass of strong destinations. The Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce hired PLACE Consulting to assess the competitive strengths of Clark Street, understand the primary target audiences and their needs, and then develop an economic development plan to capitalize on its assets. PLACE conducted extensive interviews with local shoppers, residents and leaders, analyzed the demographic and economic data of Clark Street and its competitors, and assessed the commercial area’s place in the local and regional economy. PLACE discovered resident groups with clearly disparate needs and sub‐districts with very different opportunities and challenges as part of the economic development plan. PLACE identified specific retail niche markets that could be developed or supported to improve the competitiveness of the district. Working collaboratively with the Chamber, PLACE developed clear and implementable recommendations in three phases, created engaging materials for proactive business recruitment, and produced concise summaries of findings and recommendations to communicate the plan to elected officials and neighborhood groups.
The Little Village Chamber of Commerce hired PLACE Consulting to guide them through the SSA reconstitution process. PLACE successfully led the Chamber through the public meetings, data analysis, market analysis and other requirements of SSA reconstitution and then developed the organizational capacity to ensure the success of the organization and its programs. PLACE Consulting has since provided ongoing budgetary guidance, executive coaching and organizational and capacity development. PLACE recently completed a strategic planning process with the Chamber. The Wicker Park Bucktown Chamber of Commerce retained PLACE Consulting during a period of leadership change to help ensure a smooth transition. PLACE was hired to provide interim Executive Director services as well as lead the search and recruitment process for a new director for the organization. In addition to focusing on crucial day‐to‐day operations, PLACE supported and guided staff and worked closely with the Board of Directors to streamline to the organization’s systems, structures and effectiveness.
Client Samples “The Lakeview Area Master Plan will be a great tool to help guide our economic development efforts going forward. It has already gotten our capital projects the immediate attention of decisionmakers and fast tracked us for consideration.” – Heather Way, Lakeview Chamber of Commerce
PLACE Consulting www.placeconsulting.net
Special Service Area Establishment and Reconstitution
Lakeview Area Master Plan (LAMP) – Lakeview Chamber of Commerce Commercial Visioning and Workplan Development - Chicago
PLACE was hired as the lead consultant by the Lakeview Chamber of Commerce and Special Service Area #27 to develop a comprehensive approach that would ensure that the Lakeview community maintained its commercial vibrancy and continued to improve as a shopping and entertainment district and destination. PLACE Consulting focused on broad and deep community engagement through extensive use of social media, competitions, open houses, a dedicated project website and smaller hosted parties. PLACE also teamed with an architectural firm, moss design, to incorporate sustainability initiatives and develop persuasive visuals to demonstrate to residents, elected officials and funders what could be done in the neighborhood in terms of open space, connection to urban agriculture, and enhanced connectivity. Another key component of the project was the formation of a youth task force, whose participation and recommendations impacted final findings. Five key documents were created: a sustainability guide for business owners, business attraction materials, an executive summary, workplan with sub‐district implementation strategies and a best practices manual. All of these components were designed as tools for implementation. The project received widespread media attention, and was featured by the Chicago Tribune, WGN TV and WGN Radio, Fox News Chicago, WLS 890AM, Chicago Public Radio and the Huffington Post.
In early 2010, the Southeast Chicago Chamber of Commerce (SECC) hired PLACE Consulting to lead them in the establishment of two new Special Service Areas on the south side of Chicago. This marked the 9th and 10th SSA project PLACE Consulting has successfully led. PLACE led the Chamber Advisory Committees that included Alderman Sandi Jackson through the entire process of taxpayer analysis, determining local priorities, community process and the City application. PLACE worked with the committee to analyze budget and program options and communicate the potential positive impact an SSA could have on local businesses and property owners. The SECC Executive Director found PLACE Consulting “a pleasure to work with. They knew every aspect of what it took to successfully create an SSA on a short timeline. I recommend them to anyone working SSA programs.”