Making Retail Work in TODs

One of the central arguments in favor of retail space in transit-oriented development is that regular traffic from commuters guarantees business. But Jeff Pace, chief operating officer of the Unity Council (who manage the site's retail), says that it takes a lot more than just proximity to make the retail work.

In this article from the New Urban Network, Pace gives five hard-earned tips for successful retail in TOD. Here's one:

"Mix retail and services: "We evolved from a pure retail strategy on the ground floor to one with a mix of traditional retail and community and professional services. For example, we have a State Farm insurance office, and our children's counseling clinic and high school both have ground-floor facilities as well as second-floor facilities. Altogether, almost 25 percent of the ground-floor retail is being used for non-traditional uses and an expansion of the community services presence on the second floor.""