PRACTICE AREA

Downtown

Randall Gross / Development Economics (RGDE) is a firm specializing in market economics, strategic planning, and economic development. RGDE has consulted on more than 600 projects worldwide over the past 30 years, providing market & financial analysis, land use economics, and strategic planning and outreach marketing services for the redevelopment and revitalization of downtowns and town centers. 

Mr. Gross works directly with public agencies, private developers, downtown organizations, and communities to understand needs, assess economic assets and potentials, and create targeted implementation plans to meet goals and objectives. Specifically, he forecasts the market demand and financial feasibility of development, determines highest and best use for buildings and land, designs creative strategies for business development and retention, and creates mechanisms to maximize community benefits including job creation and fiscal stability. 

He provides direct marketing and outreach services to potential downtown developers, tenants, and investors using information he has gleaned from his market and financial analyses. Such outreach efforts help identify specific tenants, developers or investors; determine their requirements for market entry or expansion; and ensure strategies address those specific requirements to leverage development and tenanting. This work is meant to assist the ongoing efforts of downtown organizations, agencies, developers, brokers and managers. 

He has particular experience providing inputs on market potential, fiscal & economic impacts, financial analysis, and strategic planning as part of master plans and development strategies for Downtowns and Town Centers. He has worked on a broad range of projects and has particular expertise in Downtown retail, office, tourism, and housing. He has worked with, or helped establish, Community Development Corporations and Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) focused on Downtown development and management. He has assisted Main Street and Chamber organizations on downtown recruitment and incentive issues. He has determined the potential for use of Tax Increment Financing (TIF) and other incentives and tools that leverage Downtown investment. As noted above, Mr. Gross works intensively on implementation of downtown strategies, such as through direct outreach to potential tenants, investors, and developers. 

Mr. Gross is a former Division Chairman in the American Planning Association (APA) and At-Large Board Member of the National Capital APA Chapter. He has also been an elected Board Member of the Georgetown Public Policy Institute, past committee member in the International Economic Development Council (IEDC), and former editor of the Council for Urban Economic Development (CUED) military base reuse newsletter.