Center City hears retail report, update on Court Square project - Memphis Business Journal:

Downtown retail strategy, Court Square development and problem loans during its regular meeting Wednesday. Margaret McCauley, principal of Economics Research Associates, gave the board a report on developing retail along Downtown's Main Street. The CCDC retained the Washington, D.C.- Downtown and to create a merchandise mix plan and implementation strategy.

It is partnering with Linx Consulting, a minority-owned firm in Memphis, on the project. ERA's report called for the return of traffic to Main Street, stating "pedestrian and trolley mall on Main Street thwarts retail success and is a major barrier for retail recruitment."

McCauley pointed out several principals of good retail in the report, such as unique and distinctive storefront design, avoiding generic storefronts, adding creative and concise signage, engaging displays, creative and colorful merchandising and active and well-designed retail space in parking garages. The report separates Main Street into three sections: Pinch District, Main Street Core and South Main Street.

McCauley said South Main Street has the most potential to grow as a retail district, as it has existing retail and restaurants. She said the timeline for retail recruitment in the Main Street Core will depend on the reopening of the transit mall. Center City Commission staff reports have stated there once was 200 pedestrian malls across the U.S. 30. McCauley discussed examples of failing transit malls in Denver and San Diego. She also pointed to retail success stories in Portland, Ore.,

Philadelphia, where transit malls were reopened. The report listed the Pinch District as a "long-term development" which could take about 10 years to attract significant retail. ERA's study also suggested the medical center and south central business improvement district would be the best locations for a grocery store.

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