Proactive planning for the CEZ

Taking action for a creative enterprise–friendly future, the CEZ partnered with two student teams from the Humphrey School of Public Affairs this spring. Both teams reported their results in a May 16 presentation at CoCreatz. Working with CEZ board vice-chair Jack Becker of Forecast Public Art, one group focused on the role of public art in placemaking. Using data and community-based interviews to anticipate our demographic trends, they also took a close look at the upcoming Chroma Zone festival, suggesting targeted outreach to raise the CEZ's profile and also to build our next generation of creatives.

Guided by CEZ coordinator and U of M faculty member Erin Heelan, the other team studied real estate in the Zone, particularly workspaces for creatives. Surveying current users, they found that while the district offers a wide variety of stock, there's a need for larger, more affordable work and storage spaces, and also for spaces specifically designed for collaboration, a goal we're well-positioned to pursue. The CEZ board's real estate committee will use that input in its strategic planning for more community-based real estate development in the district.

Do you have ideas or leads? Contact us at coordinator@creativeenterprisezone.org.