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6 Reasons Why Some Small Towns Never Grow

6/28/2016

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Kent Dussair
​CDS Community Development Strategies
Every big city was once little. But why do so many small towns never really grow? Here are six common reasons why some small places stay that way. While most little towns cannot affect the first two, the last four might represent an opportunity for growth... if they can be corrected.
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1) The times they are a changin’.
There are historical reasons cities are located where they are and sometimes the original location factors no longer exist or at least are not relevant.  When highways replaced railroads as the primary means of access some small cities became less of a destination and more of a self-contained community.  Typically, new highways intentionally bypass commercial areas to avoid stop lights and congestion.  Over time key industries/employers can dry up or even shut down and the demand for historically mainstay agricultural crops may diminish.  Replacing these employers or products can be slow if not impossible.  

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The Rule of 70 and Calculating Growth: Why Jeb Bush's Economic Plan was Widely Panned

4/27/2016

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J. Kirby Snideman, AICP
CDS Community Development Strategies
The US population growth rate is currently around 0.7%. US GDP growth during the 4th quarter of 2015 was 1.4%. Stock market growth of over the long term is generally expected at 6-7%. What do these growth rates mean and how can you quickly makes sense of them? This article explains the Rule of 70, a tool frequently used by urban planners to help the public quickly grasp the impact of growth rates--like Jeb Bush's 4% economic growth goal released last year.
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Image Source: New York Times
Explanation of the Rule of 70
The rule of 70 is a way to estimate the time it takes to double a number based on its growth rate. The formula is as follows: Take the number 70 and divide it by the growth rate. The result is the number of years required to double. For example, if your population is growing at 2%, divide 70 by 2. The result is 35; it will take 35 years for your population to double at a 2% growth rate.

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Why Retail Developers Like Parking Lots in Front

3/10/2016

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J. Kirby Snideman
CDS Community Development Strategies
Proponents of pedestrian friendly design often advocate for retail parking lots to be placed in the rear; behind retail buildings and away from roadways. Moving parking lots to the rear concentrates people and places along the street, creating an environment that is arguably more accessible, interesting, and safe for walkers and bicyclists. While this seems advantageous, retail developers are often opposed to this layout. This article examines a few reasons why. Understanding the concerns of retail developers will help community leaders and members find the best solutions for their community.
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Provo, Utah above, Chicago, Illinois below; Source: Google Street View

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Dogs and Dog Parks On the Rise

1/29/2016

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J. Kirby Snideman
CDS Community Development Strategies
According to recent data, the number of households with at least one dog is on the rise. As a result, communities around the country are making room for dog parks. In some cases, playgrounds are even being replaced to accommodate for the growing canine demand. This should come as no surprise, given the fact that around 2010, the number of households with a dog surpassed the number of households with children.  
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The author and his dog, Parley, a Red and White Irish Setter
​In addition to having more dogs, households are spending more money on them. While the percentage of households owning a dog increased by roughly 6% from 2005 to 2015, total U.S. consumer spending on pets nearly doubled, going from just over 36 billion to a projected 60 billion over the same period. A significant portion of that pet spending is dog related.
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Not only are the number of dog owning households increasing, but dog owners have become increasingly vocal. Jurisdictions around the country have been responsive. In the 100 largest cities the number of dog parks have increased from roughly 420 in 2005 to more than 650 in 2015, a 53% rise. 

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CDS Presents: The Color of Housing

10/9/2015

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Presentation at the American Planning Association, Texas Chapter Conference
Authors: Kirby Snideman, AICP & Steve Spillette 
PDF of the presentation.
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The Color of Housing: How a Growing Population of People of Color in will Impact Housing Preferences in Your City. And How to Better Plan for It.

This presentation was delivered by Kirby Snideman and Steve Spillette at the Fall 2015 Texas APA Conference. This presentation provided many interesting demographic statistics regarding the recent population trends of people of color in Texas.

Kirby and Steve also discussed how housing preferences among people of color has been impacting the real estate market. The audience was particularly interested in the increased demand for multi-generational housing.
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  • Home
  • Who We Are
    • Our Team >
      • Steve Spillette
      • Brenda Crenshaw
      • Michael Prats
      • Ty Jacobsen
      • Scott Reineking
    • Our Clients
    • Testimonials of our Work
    • Work with Us
  • Services
    • Market Analysis & Feasibility Studies
    • Economic & Demographic Analysis
    • Public Plans & Special Districts
    • Housing Studies
    • GIS Services
    • Surveys & Primary Research
  • Newsworthy
  • Lot Price Survey
  • Contact