Strategic Planning Engagement

Consulting team to execute Comprehensive Strategic Plan, the Advancement of a Conference Center within the District, and exploration of potential entertainment district models available for the District.
Phase 1: Downtown Assessment & Strategic Vision
• Economic Baseline Analysis: Audit commercial/retail vacancy, business mix, property values, foot traffic trends, and recent private investment.
• Public Realm Assessment: Evaluate parking availability, streetscaping, lighting, wayfinding, pedestrian/bicycle connectivity, and green spaces.
• Events & Programming Audit: Review existing events, identify calendar gaps, and benchmark programming against peer downtowns.
• Quality of Life Scan: Examine safety perceptions, housing options, access to community services, and user experiences across diverse demographics.
• SWOT & Recommendations Matrix: Deliver a comprehensive SWOT analysis and prioritized strategic recommendations spanning short-, medium-, and long-term horizons.
Phase 2: Entertainment District Feasibility & Framework
• Statutory & Legal Analysis: Evaluate Missouri statutes and case law governing entertainment districts and special overlay zones.
• Peer Benchmarking: Benchmark district models, governance, and operating strategies from comparable university communities.
• Regulatory Tool Evaluation: Assess regulatory mechanisms including hours of operation, alcohol density controls, outdoor music/noise standards, design guidelines, and security requirements.
• Public Safety Integration: Analyze crime patterns and public safety concerns within the downtown core to formulate targeted policy remedies.
• Framework & Legal Pathway: Formulate governance options, draft policy frameworks, and necessary state/local legislative action steps.
Phase 3: Conference Center
• Research Synthesis: Review prior demand and feasibility studies to synthesize past findings.
• Site Infrastructure Evaluation: Assess candidate development sites based on access, land assembly, infrastructure readiness, development costs, and catalytic economic impact.
• Funding Strategy & Capital Stack: Identify public and private funding mechanisms, including federal grants, state economic development incentives, TIF, hotel/motel tax allocations, naming rights, private equity/philanthropy, etc.
• Governance & Partner Alignment: Outline ownership, management, and operational structures involving key institutional partners (e.g., University of Missouri, City of Columbia, CVB, Downtown
community Improvement District, Chamber of Commerce).
• Action Roadmap: Provide a phased implementation matrix outlining critical path milestones and decision points.