[COMM-ORG] query: getting a grocery store

[Discussion list for COMM-ORG]

[ed:  Thanks to Richard for the reply.]

From: Richard Layman <rlaymandc at yahoo.com>


While researching something else, I came across this report from The 
Reinvestment Fund:

CDFI Financing of Supermarkets in Underserved Communities - A Case 
Study: A Study by The Reinvestment Fund

This study examines whether (or the extent
to which) there are economic reasons for the lack of supermarkets in 
distressed urban areas, such as ocation-dependent expense differences 
between urban and suburban locations. We also explore how various 
financing strategies help to mitigate those expense differences. 
Finally, we assess some of the impacts of supermarket development in 
urban and other underserved places. A full report can be found here. (2008)


I haven't read it, but having read a number of their other reports, I am 
sure it's excellent.  If the live URLs don't come through, it can be 
accessed on this page: http://www.trfund.com/resource/policypubs.html


Richard Layman

DC




On 6/21/2009 4:56 PM, Discussion list for COMM-ORG wrote:
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>  
> From: Mike Hodge <mhodge at tnrc.net>
>
>
> Hi COMM-ORG,
>
> I am working with a neighborhood group here in Nashville, that has been 
> without a grocery store for many years.   
>
> Urban Renewal took out 10-15 "mom and pop" stores and built much public 
> housing in the area.  After about 15 years or so, and much work by 
> neighbors and a local church pastor, a mid-sized grocery store was built 
> in the area.   There are over 300 units of family public housing across 
> the street from the site, along with about 280 units of high-rise 
> housing for the elderly and handicapped.   More units of "publicly 
> assisted" housing are just down the street.
>
> The grocery store operated fairly well, although it changed hands 
> several times.   Then the property owner insisted on higher rents.   The 
> building has now been vacant for seven years -- due mainly to a crazy 
> property owner.  The neighborhood group has met with our city 
> development agency, as well as other agencies and elected officials.   
> In recent meetings, the development agency rep acted as though he had 
> never heard of public funds being used to assist in the acquisition or 
> support of a grocery store for an under-served low-income 
> neighborhood.   I had a small amount of info on the possible use of 
> stimulus funds for this -- a very small amount of info.
>
> SO ---- The question I am asking all of you is:   Do you know any 
> specific stories of municipalities assisting in the acquisition of 
> property or the operation of a grocery store through the use of public 
> funds such as CDBG, stimulus funds, tax increment financing, etc???   I 
> KNOW this has been done, but I'd like to be able to have some specific 
> stories -- and then be able to talk to the city agencies in whatever 
> city this took place and possibly with whatever grocery went in.
>
> Thanks in advance for any help you can provide!
>
> Mike Hodge
> Neighborhoods Resource Center
> Nashville, TN
>
>
>
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