Final Progress Advisory Panel Report - Knight Program in ...

Conduct Regular Market Research
Research to understand and document the market should be part
of the regular routine. Research should include:
• Annual online surveys – a consumer survey of major employers’
staff (housing, retail, entertainment) and another consumer
survey of college students and their parents related to housing
and safety.
• Formal housing market research beyond students – bankable,
don’t skimp.
• Visitor research – should recognize a distinct place-brand for
Canal Park (versus other parts of downtown) and better analyze
responses from females because they make more than 80
percent of the decisions relative to purchases.
It might be possible to partner with universities, real estate and
realtor organizations, and others to help generate, track, and report
the data in a standardized format on a quarterly schedule. That
could be supplemented with niche studies that are critically important
for identifying gaps and opportunities in the market.
Arts and Economic Development
The number of recommendations to grow the arts and, in turn,
the economy, underscores their importance in making the Duluth
Creative Corridor work.
Institute a Connected Multi-Node Strategy
The centerpiece is a connected multi-node strategy that involves
centering art-related activities in nodes and creating strong connections
between them. Nodes should have easy access to transit and
offer urban living opportunities.
Concentrating new growth and investment in key strategic nodes
along key corridors is consistent with Duluth’s 2006 Comprehensive
Land Use Plan and the 2010 Unified Development Code.
Specific strategies include:
• Build on existing assets, strengthening two nodes at a time with
civic investments while keeping in mind the concept of a retail
Various types of arts expressions and arts facilities are used
to bring life and visitors to public spaces and create those
memorable destinations that residents and visitors want to
visit.
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