Co-authored by JLL Senior Vice Presidents Kameshia Freeman and James Birkey
City-owned properties are unique in their opportunity to catalyze growth, identity and functionality. City halls, libraries and public safety buildings are more than just structures; they are the fabric that forms the heartbeat of our communities. Many cities today are wrestling with outdated civic assets in the midst of downtowns that have new demands on space. How do we reimagine these spaces for the future?
Begin with Investigation, Not Promises
In a world where real estate economics have shifted wildly in the last five years, gaining a fundamental understanding of the property’s conditions, appropriate land values, construction costs and development timeline will form crucial tools in framing a strong, deliverable vision. This will be critical throughout your work to set expectations and engagement with the public.
Map Out Stakeholders and Include Them
Success requires engaging stakeholders early and often. Host town halls, conduct surveys and leverage digital platforms so that your community feels heard and your outcome is improved by their voices. This two-way communication aids transparency in the repositioning process, building trust and ensuring the community’s needs are met.
Think Outside the Box
Incorporate stakeholder feedback in an integrated process with your real estate economics. The way residents engage with their urban and civic spaces is shifting, and differentiation is appreciated. For instance, the City of SeaTac, Washington, is creating a new campus that goes beyond relocating city hall, exploring options like mixed-use residential, performing arts spaces and an international market to reflect its unique community characteristics.
Show Me the Money
This is often the make-or-break factor. Develop a robust financial strategy that explores multiple avenues. Federal funding can be secured through grants like the Community Development Block Grant or the RAISE program. Consider public-private partnerships (P3s) to leverage private sector expertise and capital. Traditional methods like municipal bonds are often advantageous for their low cost of capital. The right financing approach needs to be tailored to a project, the city’s financial position and the community’s unique needs. Experienced advisors can lower total project costs, navigate uncertainties, attract appropriate investment, and improve your chances of successfully cutting a ribbon.
To bring these projects to fruition, three elements are crucial:
- Vision Keeper: Strong leadership and community support.
- Implementable Financial Plan: A clear understanding of costs, revenues and funding sources.
- Innovative Partnerships: P3s and other collaborative models to distribute risk, lower public expenditure and maximize resources.
By reimagining civic assets with these considerations in mind, your community can create vibrant, functional spaces that serve you well into the future. If you’re looking to explore what this could mean in practice, you might find it helpful to dive deeper into the current trends shaping civic reinvestment and housing across the U.S. — this guide offers useful context and examples from other cities.
Kameshia Freeman is a Senior Vice President responsible for connecting public institutions with JLL. James Birkey is a Senior Vice President and Practice Leader of JLL’s Civic Revitalization Practice.
JLL is a premier provider of strategic real estate advisory and transaction services for local, state, national, and international public institutions. Offering a range of services that cover the full spectrum of the real estate cycle—from strategy and project management to transaction and execution—we help ensure the optimal and efficient utilization of real property assets.
Visit the NLC Strategic Partnerships page to learn more about the organizations like JLL dedicated to making NLC the premier resource for local governments.
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