Creating a Place With Public Services

Buxton's Retail Economic Development Blog has a little commentary up on how public services can be integral to making successful mixed-use and multi-use projects.

All too often, however, these developments focus on non-retail facilities that are commercial in nature such as hotels, theme parks, luxury housing, outpatient surgery centers, multi-screen theaters, auto malls and fitness centers.

While these commercial-type businesses and services are great to include in a retail development, there are many public-sector services that also should be part of the plan. This is where city leaders need to step in and consider which public services could and should be included in the development, including, perhaps, a new city hall, school district offices, a public plaza, a city-funded daycare center, a convention center, a library or jogging trails.