HomeMy WebLinkAbout2D, Review of Draft Community Development SWOT Analysis i
EN HILLS
Request for Council Review
2D
Prepared By: Jill Hutmacher, Worksession Date: December 20,2010
Community Development Director
Community Development SWOT Analysis Discussion
Discussion Topic:
SWOT(Strengths,Weaknesses,Opportunities,and Threats)Analysis for Community Development in Arden Hills.
Supporting Documents:
1. Memorandum dated December 20,2010, from Jill Hutmacher
2. Community Development SWOT Analysis
,- S DVEEN HILLS
MEMORANDUM
DATE: December 20, 2010
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Jill Hutmacher, Community Development Director c�L'
SUBJECT: Community Development SWOT Analysis
Attached is a draft SWOT(Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats)Analysis for
Community Development in Arden Hills. The points listed in the analysis are compiled from
conversations with Council and staff, demographic data included in the 2030 Comprehensive
Plan, and my observations over the past six weeks. The draft SWOT Analysis is not a complete
or refined document,but is meant solely to serve as a starting point of an on-going discussion on
community and economic development goals and priorities.
City Council feedback is requested including additions, deletions,and other suggestions.
City of Arden Hills
City Council Work Session December 20, 2010
Page 1 of 1
City of Arden Hills
Community and Economic Development
Draft SWOT Analysis
December 2010
Neighborhoods, Housing Stock, and Housing Supply
R
Strengths
• High median housing value
• Predominantly single family homes
• Long tenure of residents
• Established, cohesive neighborhoods
• Relatively few foreclosures
Weaknesses
• Few life cycle housing opportunities
• Limited pedestrian and bicycle connectivity
between neighborhoods due to freeways and natural barriers
Opportunities
• Redevelopment to provide additional life cycle
housing
3,
• Potential to work with Sheriff-elect Bostrom on
quality of life issues
• Potential to increase pedestrian access as
intersections are reconstructed
Threats
• Single family rentals
• Aging housing stock
• Limited capacity of aging homeowners for maintenance and investment
• Impact of foreclosed and/or poorly maintained homes on neighborhoods
r
Jobs, Employers, and Business Environment
Strengths
• Large employee base relative to population
• Education attainment higher than area median
• Close proximity to metro freeway system
• Mix of office, retail, and industrial properties
• Proximity to Medtronic
Weaknesses
Ipl4�I�ll MI it �i
• Aging office/industrial stock that may be
becoming functionally obsolete
• Little communication and relationship-building with business community
• City website does not have a page for business interests and issues
• City does not use electronic communications as extensively as private sector businesses
Opportunities
• Improving economy KIM ;
• Growing med tech sector
• Strength and growth plans of corporate entities
• Strength and growth plans of Bethel University
and Northwestern College
Threats
• High office vacancy, particular in older buildings
• Two large corporate employers hold large proportion of jobs
• Reuse of corporate headquarter buildings can be difficult
• MnDOT plans to reduce access to freeway system
Table 2.9-Educational Attainment(2000)
Arden Hills Mounds View s tew Brighton Roseville Shoreview Ramsey County 7-County Metro
Those 18 and over,High
School Graduate 93% 88% 92% 91% 95% 81% 79%
Those 25 Years and
Over,Bachelor's Degree
or higher 51% 42% 41% 2% 47% 34% 35%
Source.U5 Census
Development, Redevelopment, and Community Branding
Strengths
• 132 Plan adopted
• TCAAP zoning adopted
• Low level of property tax capacity in existing TIF districts
Weaknesses '
• Very few greenfield development sites
• Little community identity in commercial areas
• Little progress made on implementation of 132 plan
• New development will incur expensive redevelopment
costs
• No district plan for Red Fox/Gray Fox area
• City website has no marketing/branding component
Opportunities
• Redevelopment in 132 and Red Fox/Gray Fox Districts
• Redevelopment of TCAAP Site vs
• Redevelopment of Old City Hall Site
• Redevelopment of scattered infill sites
Threats
• Potential for delayed or failed TCAAP bid process
• If TCAAP bidding process is successful, cleanup and
development will likely take many years '
• Slow projected recovery of office market
• Reduced access to freeway system
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