Prosperity Agenda- Brandon 2.0

What does all this talk of New Economies and Creativity have to do with the 2010 civic election in Brandon? It is about a stance, a way of thinking. The mayor is the City's civic leader. Does this person embrace change? Look for opportunities? Have a curious mind? Encourage innovation vs the way we've always done it? Because these are the characteristics that will drive a successful economy or business in the 21st century, and they are also the characteristics that will drive a successful city.

I believe that because of the new technologies and the acceleration of change, knowledge and creativity will be centre of success in the future. Concentrations of skilled people, rather than raw materials, are the engines of growth. Brandon is well positioned to maximize these new opportunities because of our university, community college, and the regional health authority. Access to well-educated pools of creative people (entrepreneurs, innovators, researchers, artisans, designers) is what counts.

Human capital, centres of innovation, research institutions are key assets in Brandon's future. Fostering connections between them and the business community is critical. And the mayor can play a key role in putting the right people around the table.

Brandon will also benefit from this move to the New Economy because of the restrictions of location- access to raw materials, cheap labour, and transportation which was critical in the old economy, is decreasing. People often bemoan our lack of air service. Rather than letting that be a barrier to economic growth, what about looking for economic opportunities where airports are redundant? The internet highway is key to our future, and Brandon's connectivity is outstanding.

One of our challenges in the city will be to build on our culture as a learning community. I'll be presenting ideas on this in other blog postings called One Smart City. We need to create opportunities to have more people connected online, engaged intellectually, and contributing. Brandon needs to be known for our brains, not our brawn.

Our cities must be livable to attract the creative and skilled people that fuel the economy of Brandon's future. Studies show that quality of life and place are more important to attracting technology firms for example, than traditional factors such as land costs and taxes. cultural life, diversity, environmental quality, and digital infrastructure are the magnets for economic growth in Brandon. We are a lovely, safe, clean, beautiful city. Pity the people in large urban centres, stuck in long commutes, anxious about lack of family time, desperate for a bit of green grass and gardens. Brandon is the ideal community to recruit these people to. And the computer on their desk can connect them back to that office tower where they used to work.

Brandon could be a natural location for pools of creative, knowledge-based jobs- if the city can attract and hold them. Old economy negatives can become new economy assets. Recognizing the opportunities, responsiveness, and flexibility are needed to attract these people, these jobs, and capitalize on Brandon's assets.

The Prosperity Agenda is a series of postings dealing with economic development in Brandon. City Hall needs to develop a strategy to capitalize on these new opportunities to encourage higher income growth and increased prosperity for Brandon. I'd love to hear from you. Email me at shariformayor@gmail.com with your ideas.

Prosperity Agenda- Welcome to the New Economy

In the last few years, Brandon has experienced a remarkable period of population and job growth. It has lead to a booming real estate market and an expansion in the service sector. This growth has come about primarily because of Maple Leaf and our new immigrant families, and the relocation of 2PPCLI.

Brandon is coming to the end of that growth spurt. If we are to keep expanding our tax base and the associated enhancements to City services and quality of place/ life, we are going to need to develop a new economic strategy for Brandon.

The next phase of growth for Brandon needs to focus on quality, not just quantity. Not only does growth mean getting bigger, but it also means becoming more prosperous. We need to focus on income growth. And if the City is going to thrive in the upcoming years, we need to look for opportunities in the New Economy.

No doubt you've heard people refer to the New Economy, but what does that mean? Simply put- we are moving towards a knowledge-based economy (brain over brawn, better over cheap) where the keys to jobs and a higher standard of living are innovative ideas and technology. Goods jobs have become technologically complex and are demanding sophisticated work skills. Jobs based on simple, low level work skills are diminishing.

A side by side comparison of old and new economies:

In the old economy, people believed that:

• Being a cheap place to do business was the key.
• Attracting companies was the key.
• A high-quality environment was a luxury that stood in the way of attracting cost-conscious businesses.
• Regions won because they held a fixed competitive advantage in some resource or skill.
• Economic development was government led.

In the New Economy, people believe that:

• Being a place rich in ideas and talent is key.
• Attracting educated people is key.
• Physical and cultural amenities are key to attracting knowledge workers.
• Regions will prosper if organizations and individuals have the ability to learn and adapt.
• Only bold partnerships amongst business, government, and nonprofit sector can bring about change.

In the future, the path to rising incomes and a thriving economy in Brandon will be

• recruiting those knowledge-based workers,
  
• ensuring a technologically advanced infrastructure- both physically as well as intellectually through R&D at BU and ACC;
  
• boosting the skills in Westman's workforce,
  
• creating fast, efficient, responsive government, and
  
• ensuring a superb quality of place and life.

The New Economy is here to stay- there's no going back. It brings enormous potential to Brandon, but we must invest in a knowledge infrastructure- education, training, and technology. By focusing on innovation, learning, and constant adaptation, Brandon will succeed, thrive, and grow.

The Prosperity Agenda is a series of postings that look at economic development in Brandon. Future postings will deal with entrepreneurship, cluster development, education and other aspects integral to growing our economy. I would love to hear from you.... email me at shariformayor@gmail.com.

Prosperity Agenda

A strong economy brings more to a city than money- prosperity means much more than wealth. Prosperity means opportunity; opportunity makes a city livable, a livable city is a prosperous city. There is a vital cycle where a strong economy supports a vital city, and a vital city supports a strong economy. Isn't that what we want for Brandon? Where there is an interdependence between the community and the economy.

In the past, the labels that separated us were developing countries and first world economies, of rich and poor countries, but those days are swiftly coming to a close. Now, the successful communities will be known as innovative, talent-attracting "have" regions and those that do not prosper will be talent-exporting have-not regions. And before you become complacent, think about the number of graduates from the College and University that leave Brandon to find jobs.

Brandon is well positioned to thrive in the New Economy. We have the College and the University graduating a thousand students a year, well equipped to build a future for themselves. Perhaps we can tap into that potential to build a future for our city. We live in an era where you can be anywhere and online. We live in a wonderful city that offers a great quality of both place and life. We just need to figure out what to do with these incredible assets, and have a City leadership that understands that, in fact, these are assets.

Brandon needs to think about quality not quantity in terms of economic development. Just because the economic recession, globalization, new technological advances have changed the rules, doesn't mean that Brandon can't learn the rules and win the game.

Because of increased competitiveness from the global economy, the emphasis has shifted from cost advantage- because there will always be a country or province or city that will do it cheaper than us- to one of quality of life. What are Brandon's unique, unduplicable, competitive advantages?

• Cities are the key to economic growth- the Feds and the Province aren't going to care as much as we do about Brandon thriving in the new economy. We have to take ownership of this ourselves.
• There is a new knowledge-based economy. We are training (and exporting) graduates for this new world where brain vs brawn power is king. But are we recognizing and seizing on the opportunities available?
• Building community capacity will be critical for success; in our people, in our infrastructure, in our competitiveness. We have all the raw ingredients, we just need to be smarter in how we deploy them.
  
• Strategic planning and allocating resources will be key in how we move forward as a city. How will we use capital assets like the Convergys Building? How will we use technology assets like the MRnet? How will we use the graduates from out educational institutions?
• How will we nurture local competitiveness? Winnipeg used to be the primary threat to Brandon's growth, but other communities in rural Manitoba are now stepping up to the plate and giving Brandon a run for its money. Morden/ Winkler/ Steinbach will soon supplant Brandon for population. Russell, Neepawa, and Portage are expanding the toolbox for economic development. Brandon has been resting on its laurels and now our rural neighbours are seizing the advantage.
• Is Brandon ready for investment? We talk a good fight but if a hightech company was looking for a lovely, safe community to transfer a division- would Brandon have the answers to their questions?

So how do we create a community known for vitality and innovation? That attracts the businesses that will succeed in the new economy? How do we utilize our key, competitive advantages?

The Prosperity Agenda series of postings will look at these issues, and what other communities are doing to succeed in the changing economic landscape. This won't be the Brandon we have known, instead it will be Brandon 2.0. Because you can't have upward mobility if no one is on the move.

(DT) A Vital Downtown- Parting Thoughts

When it's all said and done, the key feature in all of all of the successful downtown redevelopments that we have looked at in the Vital Downtown blog series has been patience. A relentless effort, a well designed strategy, and energy from many directions are integral to the revitalization that will make downtown Brandon distinct and thriving. The Vibrant Downtown posts represent some practical, technical, whimsical, and forward thinking ideas for downtown Brandon.

Goal 1: Carving out a distinct economic role
Other communities have found success in developing their downtowns into vibrant centres of arts and entertainment. We looked at Fargo and their focus on restaurants, and another is Phoenixville, where a three-block area is being repositioned with a strategy that utilizes public art installations, live performances, film, theatre, dining, and the development of creative cultural events.

Goal 2: Encourage more people to live and work downtown
To make downtown Brandon an attractive, safe, interesting place to live and work we must respect and celebrate downtown Brandon's unique built heritage. Residential opportunities must be diverse and include affordable as well as market rates.

Goal 3: Develop a macro-economic strategy for downtown Brandon that supports existing business and attracts new development.
This means re-visioning downtown Brandon as a magnet for visitors. Redevelopment projects must be capable of regenerating their economic base. To be sustainable, downtown Brandon must be equipped to seize new economic opportunities (perhaps within a structure such as CentreVenture in Winnipeg). And finally, development must reflect downtown's unique characteristics, which means establishing a new system for planning approvals, re-evaluating property tax principles, and zoning.

Why is downtown revitalization needed in Brandon? Research shows that a healthy, vibrant downtown boosts the economic health and quality of life of the whole community. It creates jobs, incubates small businesses, reduces sprawl, protects property values, and increases the communities options for goods and services.

A healthy downtown is also a symbol of community pride and history.

The importance of downtown and the future of downtown are two different things. I do not know what the future of downtown Brandon will be, but I do know that October 27th- election day- is going to be critically important for the future of our downtown.

I am certain that:

• If we are to have an effective environmental policy, downtown Brandon is important.
• If we are to have an effective mass transit program, downtown Brandon is important.
• If we are to have meaningful heritage preservation, downtown Brandon is important.
• If we want to have Smart Growth, then downtown Brandon is not only important, but critical.
• If we are going to be fiscally responsible, downtown Brandon is imperative.
• If we are going to attract new people and new businesses to our community, downtown Brandon is irreplaceable.
• If new businesses, innovative-creative businesses are going to be fostered and encouraged, then Brandon will need its downtown.
• If we are to have buildings with meaning, buildings with value, they will be downtown.
• If a community is going to embrace diversity and celebrate diversity, it will happen downtown.

This concludes the series on remaking Brandon's core into A Vital Downtown. I look forward to hearing your thoughts and suggestions and can be reached at shariformayor@gmail.com.

(DT) A Vital Downtown- Taxes

Many lovely old buildings have disappeared in downtown Brandon, to be replaced by parking lots. Owners razed them, or did not rebuild them, in part, because it lowered their taxes. We could change that motivation however, by a revenue neutral reform to emphasize the value of the land, not what is built on it. Property taxes levied chiefly on land rather than buildings, could benefit downtown Brandon.

Nobel Laureate Herbert Simon argues that it discourages speculation by raising the holding cost of vacant land and encourages prudent owners to build to generate revenue. Of course, to maximize the benefit for downtown Brandon, tax reform would have to be developed in parallel with a downtown building design standard that would ensure that the new construction complimented the existing streetscape. Tax reform would also induce owners to improve decrepit buildings, as their taxes would also be based on land vs buildings.

Harrisburg and Allentown Pennsylvania changed their tax assessment criteria to emphacise land vs buildings, the number of building permits nearly doubled and the value of new construction nearly tripled. Vacant buildings dwindled from 4,000 to 500.

This post is part of a series on downtown development. I'd like to hear your ideas. Please email me at shariformayor@gmail.com.

(DT) A Vital Downtown- Zoning

Does Brandon's zoning codes help or hinder our downtown redevelopment? Zoning codes were initially written to reflect the new suburban ideal of the automobile and wide open spaces. They don't work well with a downtown's density. Front, rear, and sideyard setbacks, parking restrictions and other suburban zoning codes fail to take into consideration attached, multi-story buildings with no setbacks which are the norm downtown. The need to seek special permits and variances and other municipal approvals add to the cost and complexity of development and may discourage potential developers. The requirement for parking is also a deterrent and is creating a sea of asphalt and interrupting the walkability of our streets.

Our civic leaders need to take a close look at our zoning regulations and codes to ensure that they are supporting not impeding downtown development.

Many cities are creating unique zoning codes for their downtowns that are easy to use and understand. Austin, Texas and Albuquerque, New Mexico are two of those cities that are thinking outside the box in order to address some of the unique needs of downtown development. They have introduced "form-based" codes. Unlike traditional zoning codes that focus on allowed uses, form-based codes focus on form, namely, how the bulding envelopes and ultimately whole blocks, address the street. They do not mandate parking ratios, making the assumption that developers and property owners are better able to decide what makes market sense. The for-based code is simple and allows for greater flexibility and certainty in obtaining building permits.

"The Form-Based Zones implement the goals and policies of (Austin's) Comprehensive Plan and Planned Growth Strategy by guiding development that is pedestrian friendly, has a mix of uses and is more compact than the more vehicular oriented building patters prevalent since the 1940"s. The Form-Based Zones:

• identify a variety of building types and establish requirements for how the buildings must relate to the street, recognizing that their relationship to streets that are pedestrian oriented is different that their relationship to streets that are more vehicle-oriented (eg: setbakcs, access and location of parking),
• regulate the way buildings relate to their surrounding environment (eg: massing, solar access, building setbacks),
• regulate building design which is in scale to the pedestrian.

Basic principles that underlie Form Based Zones:

• ACCESSIBILITY: Encourages development that offers retail goods and services within walking, biking, or short transit distance of places to live and work.
• FLEXIBILITY: Provides a variety of building forms, some of which support the mixture of a variety of uses and bring residents closer to businesses.
• SERVING NEIGHBOURS: Allows some areas of the community that are finer grained- where we develop in an integrated fashion, not in large scale, single use parcels. Such development is more likely to be able to accommodate local businesses and smaller businesses, which in turn become critical quality of life elements for nearby residential areas.
• SUPPORTIVE OF TRANSIT: Encourages development that is shaped by and utilizes a functioning transit system.
• MULTI-MODAL STREETS: Accommodates cars, but is not dominated by them. Buildings are easily accessible by foot traffic and transit. This means buildings are close to the street and its sidewalk, entrances are clearly identified architecturally, and parking is most often behind buildings or in structures.
• SUSTAINABILITY: Gives developers and neighbourhoods the opportunity to create something that fits with our times and our values.
  
• ECONOMIC VIABILITY: Provides market incentives for the development or redevelopment of neglected property.

Zoning is the structure within which downtown redevelopment takes place. Form Based Zoning may provide the framework within which Brandon's downtown can thrive.

This post is part of a series looking at aspects of downtown development. I welcome your comments at shariformayor@gmail.com. Photo is by 1993 ImageCraft/Glenn Smith