Memorandum

City of Lawrence

City Manager’s Office

TO:	David L. Corliss, City Manager
FROM:	Diane Stoddard, Assistant City Manager
CC:	Cynthia Wagner, Assistant City Manager
Date:	January 27, 2011
RE:	Final Report and Recommendations of the Retail Task Force

Please place the following item on the agenda for February 8, 2011:

Receive the final report from the Retail Task Force and consider issuing a Request for Proposals for retail database information, as recommended by the Retail Task Force, if appropriate. 

Background:

The Retail Task Force was created by the City Commission in 2009 to identify ways to improve the retail economy in Lawrence, Kansas.  The Task Force met over several months between May 2010 and January 2011 and received valuable data and information regarding the retail sector in Lawrence and the planning processes and policies governing retail business development in the City.  The following members served on the Task Force:

Leslie Alhert, Owner, Stitch On Needlework Shop (representing Downtown merchants)

Robert Chestnut, Lawrence City Commission

Susan Cook, Owner, Lasting Impressions (representing City merchants)

John Ellena, Owner, Ellena Honda (representing City merchants)

Michael Gaughan, Douglas County Commission

Tom Kern, CEO, Lawrence/Douglas County Chamber of Commerce

Allison Vance Moore, Commercial Real Estate, Colliers International

Earl Reineman, Vice-President, Weaver’s Department Store (representing Downtown merchants)

The Retail Task Force has completed its Final Report.  The City Commission may wish to discuss the recommendations presented by the Task Force.  One of the recommendations includes acquiring a database of market and spending information to help local retailers identify ways to grow their businesses.  Staff has developed a draft RFP for such a database should the City Commission wish to direct issuance of that RFP. 

Requested Action:

Receive the final report from the Retail Task Force and consider issuing a Request for Proposals for retail database information, as recommended by the Retail Task Force, if appropriate.