Helm Ventures | Commercial Real Estate’s Post

Have you ever noticed how a clean, vibrant downtown just feels different? When storefronts are well-kept, sidewalks are clean, and the whole area feels alive and welcoming, it’s more than just pleasing to the eye—it can actually influence how residents feel about themselves and their community. A thriving downtown isn’t just about attracting visitors or boosting business; it’s about creating a shared sense of identity and pride. When you live in a place that’s cared for and visually appealing, it sends a message: This place matters. And if the place matters, so do the people who live there. On the flip side, when a town’s center is neglected, it can have a subtle but powerful effect on residents’ self-image. Empty storefronts, rundown buildings, or littered sidewalks don’t just make the area look bad—they can make people feel disconnected and disheartened. It’s like the space is saying, “We’ve given up,” and that energy can seep into how people view themselves and their role in the community. Investing in the built environment—sprucing up facades, keeping the streets clean, and making public spaces inviting—transforms more than just the physical space. It tells the community that this is a place worth caring about, a place worth taking pride in. That pride builds momentum, creating a healthier, more positive self-image for everyone who calls it home. In short, when downtown looks good, we all feel a little better about who we are.

I learned a lot at this year’s REjournals Minneapolis Downtown Summit where industry leaders shared their visions for downtown, the challenges we face, and the many reasons to feel optimistic about the future. Each panel discussion revealed dynamic approaches to keeping downtown vibrant, sustainable, and adaptable. Here are a few highlights: City Leadership in Real Estate Development: Our city’s leadership is focused on innovative tools to address current financial challenges and public safety, showing a collaborative spirit across sectors. Minneapolis is dedicated to sustainable and community-driven growth with creative investors bringing new life to buildings, booming nightlife, and strong public-private partnerships supporting events and programming. Revitalizing Through Sports & Entertainment: From Target Field’s expanded events calendar (plus the Twins' not-so-subtle dig at US Bank Stadium's poor acoustics) to potential new investments in sports infrastructure, sports and entertainment continue to energize downtown. Events like the Olympic festival were huge successes, underscoring the economic and social boost these activities bring to our community. Transforming Downtown for Viability & Sustainability: Our downtown is becoming increasingly multi-functional. Converting office spaces into residential or mixed-use areas is crucial, but will require major tax incentives and a careful selection of suitable buildings. Other strategies being implemented include sustainable building designs and pedestrian-friendly upgrades like Nicollet Mall enhancements. The goal is to set the stage for a livable, active, and green downtown. Downtown Office Market Update: The future of office work remains promising, with new amenities, flexible spaces, and community-focused investments to attract businesses back downtown. Security and community outreach programs are bolstering safety and changing the perspective of downtown, and there’s a clear understanding that vibrant, experience-based spaces are essential for the post-pandemic workforce. Multifamily Growth in Downtown: Despite some headwinds, we’re seeing solid occupancy rates and strong retention in multifamily developments, along with a continued focus on affordability and tenant-centered design. Overall, it was inspiring to see so many leaders committed to making downtown Minneapolis a thriving, inclusive, and forward-looking place. Excited to see what’s next for our city! #Minneapolis #CommercialRealEstate #CRE #Office

🌆✨ Downtown Cleveland: Growth, Momentum, and Vision for 2024! ✨🌆 Cleveland is on the rise! 🚀 The 2024 Downtown Development & Advocacy Report highlights exciting progress as our city shifts from recovery to sustainable growth: 📊 By the Numbers: 38 million visits in 2024 (86% of 2019 levels). 21,000 full-time residents now call downtown home. $1.3 billion in development and 29 new storefronts opened! 🗣️ Why It Matters: Downtown Cleveland ranks among the top U.S. cities for visitor and workforce recovery, leads Ohio in office conversions, and shows that we’re stronger than ever. 🏙️ Looking Ahead: To address challenges like safety perceptions and the high cost of development, Downtown Cleveland is launching a new Downtown Champions business center to: 🔹Engage leaders and residents in shaping a Greater Downtown Vision. 🔹Fund placemaking improvements and attract investors. 🔹Advocate for policies that foster walkable, vibrant spaces. 💬 A Bold Vision: “We will cease speaking of recovery and shift toward advancing a Greater Downtown Vision,” says Michael Deemer, President & CEO, of Downtown Cleveland Downtown Cleveland is ready to lead with innovation, collaboration, and purpose. Let’s build a brighter, safer, and more connected future together! ✨ #DowntownCleveland #SaferCleveland #CityGrowth #GreatLakesLeader #ThisIsCle #LetsGo

Highlights from Downtown Cleveland’s 24th Annual Meeting Sponsored by Huntington National Bank, the meeting featured discussions with Mayor Justin M. Bibb and County Executive Chris Ronayne on downtown’s challenges and opportunities. Key Points from Michael Deemer’s Address: 🛡️Public Safety: Clean & Safe services from 7 a.m. to midnight, enhanced with smart tech and safety programs. Strong collaboration with city and county partners to improve safety. 🌱 Development & Advocacy: Focus on high-density development and reducing barriers for business growth. Launch of the Downtown Retail Action Plan and $750K secured for play/recreation facilities. Establishment of a TIF District to support infrastructure improvements and economic growth. 🌆Greater Downtown Vision: Collaboration with the City of Cleveland to reimagine downtown with a focus on Safety, Walkability, Connectivity, Activation, and Inclusive Prosperity. Priorities include retail corridor improvements, greenspace activation, and public spaces for exploration. This is a pivotal moment for Downtown Cleveland as we work together to drive progress and build a vibrant, thriving community.

Thank you to those who were able to join us for Downtown Cleveland's 24th Annual Meeting, sponsored by Huntington National Bank. The event highlighted transformative progress and featured a discussion with Mayor Justin M. Bibb and County Executive Chris Ronayne about downtown's challenges and opportunities.   President & CEO Michael Deemer, JD, LPM acknowledged that challenges remain for downtown, outlined targeted strategies to address them, and issued a call to action for civic and business leaders to engage in this vitally important work, including:    Public Safety – Downtown Cleveland deploys high-quality Clean & Safe services daily, from 7 a.m. to midnight, with unified operations across downtown districts and systems enhanced with smart technology. Ambassadors are supplemented with Neighborhood Safety Specialists and the Court Watch program to improve safety and accountability, while fostering unprecedented collaboration with city and county partners.    Development and Advocacy – Downtown Cleveland advocates for high-density development by reducing barriers to doing business in the core and enabling significant growth. Recent achievements include launching a new Downtown Retail Action Plan to attract businesses and customers, securing $750,000 in state capital funding for new play and recreation facilities and establishing a TIF District to fund public infrastructure improvements and spur economic activity.   The Greater Downtown Vision – Taking the next step in Reimagining Downtown, in collaboration with the City of Cleveland, this landmark initiative unites existing development plans into a cohesive vision. Rooted in five pillars—Safety, Walkability, Connectivity, Activation and Inclusive Prosperity—the vision focuses on improving public spaces, enhancing connectivity and supporting private development. Projects prioritize retail corridor improvements, greenspace activation and creating a public realm that encourages exploration across downtown.   “Today’s meeting was not just a celebration of progress but a call to action for our community to embrace and champion Cleveland’s downtown vision,” said President and CEO Michael Deemer. “With the support of our partners and the collective commitment of our community, we are leading the way and are poised to reimagine downtown as a dynamic hub that attracts residents, businesses and visitors alike.”  Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gd22FVMS

What's more fun than the area of economic development? Re-imagining a downtown skyline, adding housing, and increasing opportunities for new business. Learn more about the MPA and our concentration in economic development by reaching out today! #uncmpa #workthatmatters #economicdevelopment

Cleveland's Revitalization: From "Mistake on the Lake" to Model City Cleveland, once called the “Mistake on the Lake,” has transformed into a model of resilience and innovation. Since 2007, the city has repurposed 7.8 million square feet of vacant office space into housing, reducing office inventory by nearly 40%. This isn’t just change—it’s a reimagining of how cities work. Two Projects Leading the Way The Bell Apartments +Formerly the Ohio Bell Building at 45 Erieview Plaza, this 16-story structure was vacant after AT&T left in 2019. +Now, it’s 367 luxury apartments with amenities like a heated pool, grilling areas with Lake Erie views, co-working spaces, and a fitness center. It’s a centerpiece of downtown living. The Centennial +Once the Union Trust Building, this 1.3 million-square-foot property at East Ninth Street and Euclid Avenue is being repurposed for affordable housing, retail, and public spaces. +Construction began in 2023, marking a significant step in Cleveland’s downtown revitalization. Addressing Key Challenges +Housing Shortages: New residential units fill a critical need. +Economic Growth: Downtown thrives as residents support local businesses. +Environmental Sustainability: Repurposing structures reduces waste and lowers environmental impact. #TheLand Leads by Example #CLE isn’t just fixing past mistakes; it’s setting the standard for urban renewal. The city has proven how empty spaces can become thriving opportunities. As someone who has seen this transformation, I’m proud of Cleveland’s journey. Once underestimated, it’s now a leader in urban development and a model for others to follow. #UrbanTransformation 🌟 #MistakeToModel 🌊 #AdaptiveReuse 🛠️ #DowntownLiving 🏡 #InnovationCity 🚀 #HousingSolutions 🏗️ #ClevelandStrong 💪 #LakeErieViews 🌅 #SmartGrowth 🌍 #Housing #SFR 🏢 #MFR 🏘️ #Procurement #Mortage 🏠

via Project for Public Spaces newsletter—I had to share this Kris Larson / Downtown Houston shout-out! 🏙 + 🌳🌷🌳 = 📈 "This past Thursday, Project for Public Spaces hosted the first edition of our Made By All webinar series, "How Can Placemaking Help Downtowns Bounce Back?" Our inspiring panel of downtown leaders offered up a diversity of of insights and case studies for placemakers, but four big takeaways stood out: 1. Public spaces punch above their weight. In a direct comparison of a small public park and an office skyscraper, Kris Larson from Downtown Houston found that the park drew twice as many visits, and twenty times the number of people, with a greater likelihood that they would spend time and money elsewhere downtown.   2. In fact, some public spaces are busier than before the pandemic. According to Ian Ross from Placer.ai, a pandemic open street in Arlington Heights increased the reach of a pre-pandemic Sounds of Summer concert series so much that they had to reduce the program from two nights to one! Programs that build and support new habits of use can be key to bringing people back downtown.   3. Focus efforts on nodes of activity. Part of the secret sauce of Cleveland's successful adaptation, according to Hannah Gall of Downtown Cleveland, is to focus placemaking improvements and office and residential real estate efforts on relatively small areas around busy public spaces.   4. YOU are your biggest placemaking asset. The Baltimore Peninsula Community Benefit District's newly minted Executive Director Claudia Jolin reminded us that behind every great place is a great person observing, convening, and caring in countless little ways. Sustainable downtown recovery requires investing in those people."

🏙️ **Exciting Developments in Downtown: Paving the Way for a Vibrant Future** 🏙️ The downtown landscape is about to undergo significant transformation with the addition of two new projects. These initiatives signal a dynamic evolution that highlights the potential and growth of urban centers. 🔍 **Key Takeaways:** - Both projects promise to revitalized underutilized areas, injecting fresh opportunities for small businesses, creating new jobs, and enhancing community spaces. - These developments will not merely change the physical landscape but also the socio-economic fabric of downtown, breathing new life into our beloved city center. **🏗️ Project Impacts:** - **Economic Boost:** - Expected surge in local economy due to increased foot traffic and enhanced infrastructure. - Potential ripple effect benefiting diverse sectors, including retail, hospitality, and real estate. - **Community Engagement:** - New public spaces that foster community interaction and cultural activities. - Improved urban living standards driving local pride and engagement. **🌏 Sustainable Urban Planning:** - Prioritizing eco-friendly practices and green building standards. - Reduced carbon footprint through enhanced public transit options and walkable streets. **👔 Implications for Professionals:** - **Networking Opportunities:** - Collaboration prospects for architects, urban planners, and construction professionals. - Increased demand for service providers including tech, security, and maintenance firms. - **Real Estate Dynamics:** - Shifts in the property market, with anticipated rises in property values and rental demand. - Emerging market for mixed-use developments combining residential, commercial, and cultural spaces. **🔮 Prediction:** As these projects take shape, we are likely to witness a more resilient and adaptable downtown capable of meeting future challenges. Cities that embrace such forward-thinking urban development are better positioned to thrive in an ever-changing economic landscape. It's imperative for all stakeholders—business leaders, city officials, and residents—to actively participate in this evolution. Together, we can turn these projects into lasting legacies that inspire continued innovation and progress. The metamorphosis of downtown is not just a physical change—it's a testament to our collective ambition and vision for a future that seamlessly blends prosperity, sustainability, and community. #UrbanDevelopment #CityPlanning #EconomicGrowth #SustainableFuture 🌟✨

Attention Ypsilanti Staff and Ypsilanti Elected Officials! The downtown stakeholders are done playing around like we did in 2024, we demand immediate improvement to the physical environment! No graffiti, no trash, no loitering for hours on end blocking building entrances, no public intoxication and no public urination. Cmon you can do this! Let’s go! When your downtown is filled with empty and blighted buildings, focusing on recruiting businesses is a waste of time and energy. It’s not going to work. Too many communities waste valauble resources trying to attract businesses to districts that are visibly failing. The truth is, no one wants to start a thriving business in a space that screams neglect. Think about it. What kind of entrepreneur is seeking our poorly maintained space? Not the one with a strong, well-thought-out business plan or a vision for success. These spaces often attract businesses that can survive in subpar conditions—businesses that may not add much value to the district. Worse, they perpetuate a sense of decline, discouraging the very kinds of businesses and customers you want to see downtown. Stop chasing after businesses and start addressing the real problem: the physical environment. People are drawn to places that feel welcoming and vibrant, and businesses follow people. A run-down downtown doesn’t attract people. It repels them. Until your district feels alive, inviting, and well-maintained, recruiting quality businesses will remain a futile effort. The public realm—the streets, sidewalks, parks, and plazas—is the foundation of any successful downtown. If your sidewalks are cracked, your lighting is dim, and your streets are cluttered with trash, you’re sending a clear message: this place doesn’t care about itself. People don’t linger in spaces that feel unsafe or uninviting, and businesses won’t succeed in areas that people avoid. Invest in beautifying the public realm. Clean up the streets. Plant trees. Add seating, bike racks, and art installations. Make sure your downtown is walkable, accessible, and attractive. When people start spending time there, businesses will have a reason to follow. Enforce property maintenance codes to prevent further decline. Implement vacant property registration programs to hold absentee landlords accountable. Use creative solutions to activate empty spaces temporarily, such as pop-up shops, art exhibits, or co-working spaces. This will send a signal that your downtown is evolving and worth investing in. If your downtown feels vibrant and welcoming, the businesses you want will naturally follow. But if it feels like a place where dreams go to die, don’t be surprised when only marginal businesses show up. Sales follow people, and people are drawn to places that feel alive and cared for. Stop chasing businesses and start fixing the setting. The rest will take care of itself.