Luke Bonner (right), chief executive officer of the Bonner Advisory Group, provides a presentation on Riverview’s proposed economic development strategy during the June 9 City Council study session.
By SUE SUCHYTA
Sunday Times Newspapers
RIVERVIEW – An economic development strategy to identify and capitalize on opportunities for the city’s economic success was presented June 9 by consultant Luke Bonner during a City Council study session.
Bonner, chief executive officer of Bonner Advisory Group of Ann Arbor, said the purpose of the strategic plan was to perform a preliminary analysis of the city’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats, which allow it to identify plans for moving the city forward.
He said a plan to identify and capitalize on opportunities for economic success would provide an actionable guide for economic development that would include identifying roles, setting milestones, identifying benchmarks, and creating plans to leverage city and regional resources.
Bonner said the city’s strengths include its strong school system, its parks and golf course, its landfill revenue, available land for development and its neighborhoods.
He said its weaknesses include its aging infrastructure, the lack of dedicated economic development leadership, vacant and outdated buildings, underperforming commercial areas, particularly along Fort Street and Sibley Road, and the city’s current non-use of economic development tools.
Bonner said opportunities exist for upgrades along Fort Street, development along the waterfront, and for the creation of additional recreational spaces.
He also said there were opportunities for expansion of the golf course, to form regional partnerships for economic development, to utilize vacant land for mixed use development, and to bring in new restaurants and retail businesses.
Bonner said the threats to the city’s economic development include the eventual landfill closure, environmental and site contamination, high utility rates, neighboring communities that are perceived as “better” than Riverview, dilapidated buildings and multi-family properties.
Riverview city officials hear a presentation on the city’s proposed economic development strategy during the June 9 City Council study session.
Bonner said the city needs to be “bold, aggressive and innovative” moving forward.
He suggested the city open up the Arkema waterfront property for use by transferring the property to a land bank or engaging with Arkema to encourage investment.
Bonner said when the legal and environment analysis is complete, the city should secure funding to begin remediation of the site, which could become a prime waterfront parcel.
He said the city should tackle the landfill’s future public use as a recreational area after conducting a full environmental and financial assessment.
Bonner said the landfill closure should be aligned with the city’s development plans as it looks to repurpose it for golf and recreational expansion, which would create new recreational amenities while creating a sustained revenue source.
He also emphasized the need for the city hire an economic development director, and to determine the director’s responsibilities and priorities, to create a budget and job description, and to launch a campaign to recruit strong candidates.
Bonner said Riverview needs a consistent and dedicated leader to provide structure and strategic oversight while advocating for the city’s future.
He also said that promoting and expanding the golf course needs detailed market research to understand expansion and residential integration viability.
Bonner said that in addition to drawing additional visitors to the golf course and restaurant, visitors and additional spending can be driven to other city assets.
He also suggested that the city focus on improvements along the Fort Street corridor and at the Fort Street and Sibley Road shopping center complex.
Bonner said the Fort and Sibley shopping center is one of the city’s most visible and under-utilized parcels.
He suggested that funding sources be secured and that local businesses be engaged in redevelopment discussions, and that the city prioritize upgrade projects in phases, which would improve Fort Street’s appearance to attract new visitors and investment.
Bonner suggested that hiring an economic development director be a top and immediate priority.