Downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan: GPG has been retained by the Grand Rapids Downtown Development Authority (DDA) to assess the market-based potential for the Downtown, East Fulton, South Division and Ionia Commercial Corridors to support additional retail and restaurants.  

Memphis, Tennessee: GPG is conducting a Green Grocer Market Study for the Mayor's Innovation Delivery Team in Memphis.

Woodstock, Georgia: GPG is working with Pond & Co. to analyze the Merchants' Square area's retail market. 

Oakland County's 15th Annual  Heritage Conference September 19, 2012:
Bob will present "Strengthening Place Through Michigan's First Form-Based Code," examining Birmingham, Michigan's 2016 Master Plan.

Harvard GSD: Robert Gibbs has agreed to present his Executive Education seminar, The Theory and Practice for Planning, Developing & Repairing Suburban & Urban Retail, July 6-7, 2011, at the Harvard Graduate School of Design in Cambridge, Mass. 

The program will demonstrate how proven principles of modern retail development can be combined with the best practices of new urbanism, smart growth, and architectural design to create successful and competitive mixed-use urban commercial centers. Ideal for developers, planners, retailers, architects, and public officials, the program will focus on several topics, among them the required market demographics for various retailers, restaurants, and shopping center typologies, including convenience centers, neighborhood centers, power centers, regional malls, and lifestyle centers. Participants will learn about market research, streetscape, store planning, signage, tenant mix, merchandising plans, leasing, anchors' roles and successful new urban planning techniques, design criteria, parking, building, site planning, and developer requirements. The course will also review the synergy among residential, office, civic, and governmental land uses and retailer performance. 

AIA/CES units: 14; AICP units: 14; ASLA units: 14

Or contact: Tel. 617-384-7214

Robert Gibbs has become a member of the IWPR Speakers Bureau:

http://www.iwprgroup.com/sb/sb_top.html

 
Santa Cruz, California: GPG Consults with City Redevelopment Authority and Chamber of Commerce to improve commerce along its Pacific Avenue historic downtown, and the East and West side commercial areas. The City has successfully rebuilt its CBD after a major 1989 earthquake. Known as the surfing capital of the world, Santa Cruz is also the organic food market's grocery store leader. New Leaf, Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, Safeway and numerous other small markets serve the downtown and surrounding neighborhoods. The downtown has two grocery stores, two large book sellers, American Apparel, the Gap, a farmers market and many restaurants and small unique retailers. A major pier and waterfront boardwalk area also complement the beachfront; October, 2010 Study

Reston Virgina:  GPG consults with JBG Rosenfeld on plans for the expansion of the Reston Heights Town Center. Located near Reston Town Center, this new community will include 400 residential units, 300,000 sf of office space, and complementary retail, restaurants and a new supermarket; October, 2010

 
Daytona Beach, Florida:  GPG presents the findings and recommendations of its commercial market study to the Economic Development Department for the CRA Board. GPG finds that the historic waterfront area can support over 80,000 square feet of new retail and restaurants, including numerous flagship regional and national entertainment venues; October, 2010

Butler Town Center, Gainesville, Florida:  GPG retained by Butler Enterprises to consult on its master plan for an expanded mixed-use center to include: 1.4 million of new retail, hotels, office and 1000 residential dwellings; September, 2010

  
Fresno, California: GPG completed a master planning charrette led by Moule-Polyzoides to re-energize a stalled 1965 pedestrian mall. The mall, one of the first in the country, has since lost its department stores and all but a handful of retailers. The greater Fresno region remains vibrant, with a population of over 500,000 and numerous surrounding shopping centers. The CBD has over 50,000 office workers, including federal, state and county courthouses, the city hall, and a new IRS regional headquarters; September, 2010

The mall represents a classic misunderstanding by urban planners - that most retailers can serve without streets and on-street parking. This pedestrian-only format requires the mall to function as a regional shopping destination, with department stores, leading brands and central management. Independent retailers rely on drive-by vehicular traffic and on-street parking for sustianablilty. The charrette was completed during the week of September 26, 2010.