Tag Archives: Kim Briesemeister

RMA’s Kim Briesemeister on How City Leaders Must Plan for Smart Growth Trends

POMPANO BEACH, Fla. /ScoopCloud/ -- Kim Briesemeister, co-founder of RMA, recently spoke at the Smart Growth Partnership event in Fort Lauderdale addressing the best ways for city leaders to stay ahead of the trends that are affecting the global economy. The redevelopment expert and author of "Reinventing Your City" stressed the importance of concentrating on the changing retail environment and the growth of smart cities.

"In a recent review of 100 mayors' state of the city addresses, economic development was the number one topic in 75 percent of the speeches nationwide," said Briesemeister. "But to achieve success, city leaders must make strategic changes now to keep pace with what the business community is doing."

As an example, during her speech, Briesemeister noted that city leaders must assess their current zoning to plan for the shifting retail environment.

"With our city-county clients, we are advising them not to look at real estate assets as they exist now, but to look at them as they may be in the future," explained Briesemeister. "One example is in the food and grocery industry where the rapid advancement of online ordering and delivery will change the footprint of stores nationwide, creating potentially smaller front-of-house retail spaces and larger expanses for storage."

Briesemeister also noted that the rapidly increasing percentage of people who purchase groceries online will necessitate centralized urban distribution centers, as rural centers will be unable to meet timely delivery demands. However, current zoning does not typically allow for distribution centers in downtowns, and therefore may need to be adjusted. Another adjustment will be modifications in drop off, pick up and delivery zones near urban stores which will be impacted by cars becoming autonomous.

"Changes in zoning laws will be required to meet the shift in how we buy goods," said Briesemeister.

An additional development that city leaders also need to be ready for is the advent of smart buildings. In the Netherlands, a new concept was introduced that far surpassed the basic LEED certified conditions. In one case, a building was outfitted with 32,000 sensors that constantly monitor everything, including which rooms are the dirtiest so cleaning crews know where to concentrate their time.

"These smart buildings will increase efficiency at many levels, and city leaders need to be aware of that impact," explained Briesemeister. "From changes in permitting laws to timing the flow of Uber pickups and coordinating traffic controls, technology is going to have an even greater effect on our daily lives. These advances will be implemented by the business community quickly, so futuristic city planning must be happening now."

For Briesemeister and the team of experts at RMA, working with city leaders to stay ahead of the trends is critical to a successful economic development plan.

"Reinventing a city is a constant process," explained Briesemeister. "Cities that stay atop of the trends, and become economic development role models, generally have leaders that understand the importance of being progressive and on the cutting edge of society."

About RMA:

Founded in 2009 by Kim Briesemeister and Chris Brown, Redevelopment Management Associates (RMA) is comprised of a phenomenal team of redevelopment experts passionate about building better communities. RMA is the most experienced full-service economic redevelopment consulting and management firm, headquartered in the state of Florida, specializing in revitalizing core areas and corridors for cities, counties and special districts nationwide. The co-founders are also the authors of one of the definitive books about city redevelopment, "Reinventing Your City: 8 Steps to Turn Your City Around." Learn more at: http://www.rma.us.com/.

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Kim Briesemeister, co-founder of Redevelopment Management Associates (RMA), recently spoke at the Smart Growth Partnership event in Fort Lauderdale addressing the best ways for city leaders to stay ahead of the trends that are affecting the global economy. The redevelopment expert and author of "Reinventing Your City" stressed the importance of concentrating on the changing retail environment and the growth of smart cities.

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RMA’s Kim Briesemeister Featured in IDA’s Top Issues Council Report

POMPANO BEACH, Fla. /ScoopCloud/ -- The International Downtown Association (www.downtown.org) recently released their first six Top Issues Council reports, which feature industry leaders who produced in-depth research briefs on top urban issues. Kim Briesemeister, principal of Redevelopment Management Associates (www.rma.us.com), served on the Public-Private Partnerships Council, providing insights into the best strategies city leaders should implement to attract private-sector investment in the report "Partnerships for Urban Place Management."

Briesemeister is an internationally regarded expert on redevelopment and is the co-author of "Reinventing Your City - 8 Steps to Turn Your City Around."

"For the past eight months, IDA Top Issues Council members have worked together to create this invaluable instrument to guide industry leaders and downtown champions," said Briesemeister. "I am honored to have been part of this prestigious group, and I hope that our combined research and recommendations will assist cities in creating new successes for their communities."

This guide is intended to provide practitioners with many methods, tactics, and issues that public-private partnerships (P3s) can address, including improvements within public safety, economic development, planning, mobility, infrastructure, outreach, engagement, planning, finance, public space management and activation, marketing and events.

Briesemeister, who has negotiated 11 public-private real estate transactions resulting in hundreds of millions of investment dollars in city centers and urban cores, focused on real-life examples as a way to guide leaders.

"There are many nuances to the process," she explained. "And it can be very difficult to do it right. A clear vision and strong leadership are key to establishing the environment that will attract the private sector."

In the report, one example that Briesemeister details is the reinvention of West Palm Beach's downtown through the creation of one the largest public-private real estate deals in the country. Briesemeister was the CRA Director of West Palm Beach following the opening of City Place and worked with legal counsel on multiple amendments to the development agreement. Initially, this bold plan called for acquisition of more than 72 acres of land, and redevelopment of the area as a large-scale, mixed-use project.

The development of the site spanned three mayoral terms. West Palm Beach's downtown transformed from what seemed to be permanent blight and hopelessness into a premiere destination featuring top businesses, retailers, restaurants and an acclaimed convention center.

About the IDA Top Issues Councils:

The International Downtown Association's Top Issues Councils are a strategic research initiative that brings together industry leaders to produce research briefs on the top urban issues identified by IDA members in the areas of economy, experience and partnership. Each council is led by a chair, comprised of place management professionals sharing their expert knowledge, and supported by IDA staff and the IDA Research Committee. Those selected to serve on a council contribute their expertise to the growing, relevant body of knowledge on the place management industry. The current report is available for purchase at www.downtown.org.

Learn more about Redevelopment Management Associates (RMA) at: http://www.rma.us.com/.

The International Downtown Association recently released their first six Top Issues Council reports, which feature industry leaders who produced in-depth research briefs on top urban issues. Kim Briesemeister, principal of Redevelopment Management Associates, served on the Public-Private Partnerships Council.

This version of news story was published on ScoopCloud™ (ScoopCloud.com) - part of the Neotrope® News Network - all rights reserved.