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Lessons Learned: Thinking Outside the 'Burg - Atlanta Edition

 

Thinking Outside the 'Burg is the Chamber's annual benchmarking trip to discover successful strategies used by other cities to bring home to St. Pete. For the 2024 trip, the Chamber's planning committee chose to visit Atlanta, GA where more than 50 of St. Pete's business leaders and elected officials convened to network and learn how to grow smarter together. The benchmarking trip to Atlanta provided valuable insights into urban growth, economic development, transportation infrastructure, and land use. Here’s a consolidated summary of the key takeaways and insights, along with "What's Next?" action items:

 

 

 

Day 1: Monday, September 23, 2024

Baseball and New Development in Cobb County

  • Transportation Connectivity: Highlighting the need for robust first-mile/last-mile solutions, shuttle systems, and seamless access through MARTA-like stops.
  • Integrated Development: Combining stadium projects with surrounding businesses and infrastructure boosts economic benefits and visitor experience.
  • Key Considerations: Ensure accessibility, proactive connectivity planning, and developer involvement (e.g., Braves Development vs. Rays with Hines).

 

Day 2: Tuesday, September 24, 2024

Hines & The Gas Plant District

  • Advocacy Against Highway Removal: Removing established highways like I-175 may not align with broader urban connectivity goals.
  • Trail-Centric Development: Advocating for bike and pedestrian safety, trails integration, and aligning Hines' projects with active trail-centric designs.
  • Safety First: Prioritizing safe and efficient access to stadiums and related developments for all users.

Strategic Planning & Funding for Transportation

  • Corporate Engagement: Strong corporate philanthropy and involvement are essential for funding transport projects.
  • Innovative Funding: Consider implementing taxing districts (CID/TIF models) and leveraging federal funds to accelerate local projects.
  • Smart Cities Technology: Advocate for integrating technology in all transportation initiatives for efficiency and sustainability.

 

Building for Business

  • Regional Focus: Prioritize a regional approach to development, considering transportation, housing, and economic ecosystems holistically.
  • Affordable Housing: Address diverse needs with incentives targeting lower AMI percentages and linking affordability with accessible transit.
  • Quality Growth: Develop a strategy emphasizing high-value industries like marine science, healthcare, tech, and finance, while integrating culture and education.

 

 

Leadership in Action - "The Atlanta Way"

  • Quality of Life Metrics: Adopt quantifiable measures like park proximity, air quality, and tree canopy to assess and enhance living standards.
  • Recruitment Expectations: Set clear cultural, community, and philanthropic expectations for companies relocating to St. Pete.

Placemaking Talent & Innovation

  • Talent Gaps: Focus on addressing real-time workforce demands and supporting the ecosystem for talent attraction.
  • Collaborative Planning: Engage with regional entities, including education institutions and businesses, to support vibrant and sustainable communities.

Collaboratively Building an Inclusive EcoDev Ecosystem

  • Mentorship and Accessibility: Provide mentorship for new businesses and create pathways for minority entrepreneurs to overcome systemic barriers.
  • Network Integration: Help new players integrate into established ecosystems and build lasting partnerships.

 

Day 3: Wednesday, September 25, 2024

(cancelled due to Hurricane Helene - these topics were scheduled to be covered)

Arts Funding in Atlanta

  • Catalyst for Economic Development: Innovative funding models like Idea Capital can support arts-based education which can be pivotal tools for nurturing creativity and driving economic growth.
  • Supporting Creative Industries: Approaches such as targeted investments and collaborations can serve as a roadmap for leveraging arts as a core driver of community and economic success.

Trail to Prosperity

  • Trail Vision: Pinellas Trail could replicate the success of Atlanta’s Beltline by integrating zoning overlays and business engagement.
  • Greenway Impact: Enhance connectivity and economic growth by prioritizing trail-centric development with creative funding strategies.

 

"What's Next?" Top Take Aways and Action Items

And how to help take action on these Chamber initiatives: 

  1. Economic Development and Urban Growth:
    • Adopt a collaborative, intentional approach focusing on long-term benefits over rapid expansion.
    • Include diverse voices in planning to ensure inclusivity and equity.
  2. Sustainability and Innovation:
    • Learn from Atlanta’s innovative projects like The Stitch and Beltline, emphasizing community and environmental priorities.
    • Use sustainable and creative solutions in planning infrastructure and development.
  3. Leadership Philosophy:
    • Embrace the “Atlanta Way” by fostering corporate collaboration, community engagement, and inclusivity in all initiatives.

 

 

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