Tag Archives: Economic Development

Community Identity: Stemming the Tide of Homogenization through Custom Design

EVESHAM, N.J. /ScoopCloud/ -- Drive down almost any suburban highway, and you will be greeted by a sea of sameness. McDonald's, Dunkin Donuts, Wells Fargo, Target, etc. You could be anywhere. But soon, when you drive into or fly over Evesham Township, however, you will be greeted by an embodiment of the township seal. Catalyst Experiential and Evesham Township worked together on the design, which fulfills a township goal to have a unique Landmark letting you know that you are entering Evesham.

Pete Henry, lead designer for Catalyst, noted, "We started playing with the concept of the town seal, and really fell in love with the idea of creating a physical manifestation of the seal. We started to envision the township seal as something that would identify the township even if you were flying over or looking at the satellite view in Google Earth."

This concept led to a triangular Landmark that sits atop a 4,200-square-foot reflecting pool, surrounded by an 88-foot-wide circle with the township name and location. The Landmark features visual communications technology on two sides, and a smaller version of the community seal on the third. A transparent dome sits atop the structure, and will feature subtle lighting that changes based upon the barometric pressure. Vibrant landscaping with over 17,000 plants, including evergreen trees, shrubbery, and flowers, will enhance the experience.

The new Landmark will replace an obsolete gas and service station that has been a well-known community eyesore. Leah Furey-Brueder, Township Planner for Evesham, related, "As we've looked at redevelopment over the past several years, that service station has crossed our mind on several occasions. Sitting at the entrance to Evesham Township, it's the first thing people see when they enter. The reason we never did a redevelopment or rehabilitation designation for the site is that, when you look at that site, we couldn't figure out what we could do with it."

"This project was ideal for Catalyst," explained Amanda Toton, VP of Development, Catalyst Experiential. "Our installations are unique in that we can design something for almost any space, enabling us to revitalize land by replacing an existing use with something more desirable to the community."

The property is less than an acre, which is too small for most modern uses. And, it has a triangular shape and a lot of frontage on the roadway. Leah notes that, "Essentially, it was suited to an old-style gas station and little else." So, when Catalyst Experiential approached to discuss transforming the parcel with a community Landmark, complete with abundant landscaping and water feature, Leah was willing to listen.

Rain runoff will supply the reflection pool, as well as be the primary source of irrigation for the landscaping. The township will have access to the two digital displays to share community information as well as emergency alerts. The new plan also eliminates two curb cuts, increasing safety by reducing traffic that might otherwise be entering the busy roadway.

The new Landmark will fulfill many elements that Evesham had specifically outlined in its 2020 Vision Plan, including conserving open space, preserving natural resources, and promoting public health and safety.

Leah commented on the productive partnership with Catalyst, "Their initial plan met many elements of our vision plan. And, when we asked whether they could provide some additional benefits, they did." For instance, the township recommended sidewalks, and Catalyst agreed to install as part of the plan. And, the township also inquired about solar panels to help power the displays, and Catalyst is developing plans for how to incorporate.

The Landmark was approved on at a zoning board meeting on January 27 that was attended by several community members who expressed enthusiasm for the project. Leighanne Ratcliffe, of Greenhill Court, summed up the view of many in attendance, "I'm proud to live here, and having something that beautiful, and with the landscaping-it's a win for the community."

Learn more at: https://www.catalystex.com/

*IMAGE link for media: https://www.Send2Press.com/300dpi/20-0206s2p-ce-evesham-300dpi.jpg
Caption: The Evesham Landmark is a larger than life town seal.

Drive down almost any suburban highway, and you will be greeted by a sea of sameness. McDonald's, Dunkin Donuts, Wells Fargo, Target, etc. You could be anywhere. But soon, when you drive into or fly over Evesham Township, however, you will be greeted by an embodiment of the township seal. Catalyst Experiential and Evesham Township worked together on the design.

Related link: https://www.catalystex.com/

CONCRETE JUNGLE NO MORE – Catalyst Experiential to Bring Green Space Along Pennsauken, NJ Corridor

NEWTOWN SQUARE, Pa. /ScoopCloud/ — The Township of Pennsauken, New Jersey, in public private partnership with Catalyst Experiential, will bring some much needed green space back to the heavily commercial Pennsauken corridor in the form of two Community Landmarks, a Clocktower on Route 38 and a Monument on Marlton Pike. More than 70% of the land along Route 38 and 70 is zoned commercial, and commercial land can be 85% “impervious” – meaning concrete and asphalt as opposed to landscaping and greenery.

In keeping with that zoning, the actual percentage of impervious surfaces on the commercial land is. . . 85%. Further, businesses maximize the amount of impervious surface for buildings, parking lots, sidewalks, and other things that enable their business to flourish or allow people to get to them.

Catalyst Experiential is working with Pennsauken to introduce nature along two parcels. The first, a Clocktower on Route 38, will replace a car stereo installation shop that occupies an unsightly 1960s single-story purple building. The site, which is almost entirely covered in concrete, will be demolished, and the property will be converted into a vibrant green space with an extensive water feature. The current cold, uninviting concrete building will be transformed into an enticing Clocktower constructed of living plants, an extensive water feature, township identification, and, of course, a clock.

The second is a Monument on Marlton Pike that will replace a closed rug store. It will include a pond as well as township identification.

Amanda Toton, VP of Development for Catalyst Experiential, noted, “The projects both uniquely identify Pennsauken Township, welcome visitors, and revitalize two underutilized parcels in the community.”

The structures each feature high quality digital displays that, in addition to advertising, will be used by the Township as a communication platform that enables quick information-sharing with local residents about community events and other important messages, free of charge.

“Both of these sites have been on our wish list to revitalize,” said, Betsy McBride, former Mayor and a member of the Pennsauken Township Committee. “We are very excited to not only revitalize them, but to transform them into much needed green space in our community.”

The structures fall in line with the Pennsauken Green Team initiative that consists of residents and municipal employees who have a strong interest in the environment and who work towards making Pennsauken Township more sustainable.

The Township participates in Community Visioning, by which residents envision the future they want through meaningful public participation. Stakeholders imagine where they would like the community to be in 10 or 20 years. This shared vision creates the basis for developing goals and completing actions that move the municipality toward a more ideal, sustainable community. This vision is moving towards more green space in the area, with the transformation of two underutilized concrete spaces.

RMA Reveals Behind-the-Scenes Strategies that Helped Secure Amazon Deal for City of Deltona

POMPANO BEACH, Fla. /ScoopCloud/ -- RMA (www.rma.us.com) has now revealed the international deal-making that was required to secure an Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN) distribution center as the anchor for the new Portland Industrial Park in Deltona, Florida. RMA's economic development and real estate project management team brokered the deal between DOT Properties headquartered in Australia; Seefried Industrial Properties, the developer for Amazon; and the City. RMA was hired by the City just one year ago to create a 5-year Strategic Plan, and now, a 2020 opening is anticipated for the business park.

"This is a remarkable achievement for Deltona, and we are pleased that RMA was the catalyst behind this transformative deal," said Chris Brown, RMA's Principal/Real Estate Broker. "Our strategic plan revealed an opportunity which we aggressively pursued; making the right connections and creating a win-win scenario for all."

As RMA crafted the Strategic Plan, it became apparent that the key to a business park included approximately 240 acres of prime undeveloped property along Interstate 4. This undeveloped property provided all of the necessary attributes required by major distribution centers. RMA contacted the owners abroad and commenced a series of meetings to discuss and define goals for the property. All agreed that the highest and best use was as a business park with logistics facilities, and RMA utilized their extensive network to reach out specifically to developers that specialized in those target industries.

Deltona's Economic Development Department, headed up by Jerry Mayes and Dr. Tom Tomerlin, had identified specific targeted industries with the stated goal of the City to attract corporate business investment and quality jobs. Early stages of RMA's discussions included meetings with Duke Energy, Halifax Health, Deltona Village, Team Volusia and other stakeholders in the region.

With the land secured and a vision in place, RMA contacted Seefried Industrial Properties headquartered in Atlanta and initiated the plan to secure the Amazon distribution center, a pivotal move for the industrial park.

"We were confident that RMA would create the strategies and relationships necessary to achieve the development of a business park and manufacturing related recruitment," said Jerry Mayes, Economic Development Manager. "However, what they accomplished in such a short time span is truly remarkable and will spur additional commercial growth in the City. We are very proud of this partnership, and we look forward to more successful ventures to come."

Development of the site will begin immediately, with a planned 2020 opening. Within the first 5 years, 500 new jobs will be created according to the incentive agreement with the City and County. The City's focused 5-year strategic plan, with targeted economic development implementation strategies, is quickly and successfully becoming a reality.

About RMA:

RMA is Florida's most experienced full-service economic redevelopment, consulting and management firm; specializing in revitalizing core areas for cities, counties and special districts nationwide. Learn more at: http://www.rma.us.com/.

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Tickers: NASDAQ: AMZN / NQ: AMZN

RMA has revealed the international deal-making that was required to secure an Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN) distribution center as the anchor for the new Portland Industrial Park in Deltona, Florida. RMA's economic development and real estate project management team brokered the deal between DOT Properties headquartered in Australia; Seefried Industrial Properties, the developer for Amazon; and the City.