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<br />Retailers: Niche retailers, such as those that would locate in the Main Street District or <br />o <br />neighborhood centers, need attractive space, quality control, and assurance of adequate local <br />demand. Ensure that the city has the appropriate infrastructure and policies in place to attract <br />retailers. <br /> <br />Hospitality Businesses: As La Porte invests in tourism amenities, hospitality businesses become a <br />o <br />natural target. Full service restaurants are a prime target immediately. Long-term, small grocers, <br />wellness businesses, art studios, and bed and breakfasts will fit well in La Porte. City may wish to <br />consider recruiting a hospitality-training academy as an anchor. <br /> <br />Real Estate Developers: (II,15) <br />o <br /> <br />Local leaders recognized that quality of life is critical to helping local businesses and residents thrive. The <br />r <br />one of the most desired destinations in the Greater Houston Area. (III,3) <br /> <br />Two different kinds of retail markets (destination and local service), a tourism base, and downtown living <br />can establish La Porte as one of the best places in the Houston Region to live and visit. (III,4) <br /> <br />Main Street is positioned to provide a community gathering place to anchor expanding residential urban <br />living in the Greater Downtown (La Porte) Area. The sustained living environment will make service retail <br />for tourists and neighborhoods more viable on Main Street. (III,5) <br /> <br />Incentives to consider to revitalize downtown La Porte may include expanding the TIRZ, empowerment <br />zone, and Chapter 380. (III,6) <br /> <br />The key to La Porte sustaining its new economic development prospects will be a focus on the livability and <br />the current code would need to revise the existing Main Street Overlay and Main Street District <br />Guidelines to create a new comprehensive master plan for Greater Downtown that includes a higher level of <br />detail that creates investment certainty from property to property and street to street. (III,9,14) <br /> <br />Expanding the recreational and retail capacity of the community will serve both residents and tourists. In La <br />Porte, entertainment, retail trade, and enhanced tourism amenities are valid targets for economic <br />development. For example, a destination retail/entertainment project not only attracts regional shoppers, but <br />also helps stop retail leakage to neighboring communities. (III,17-18) <br /> <br />The community has overwhelmingly stated its desire for economic development to prioritize qualify of life <br />enhancements, specifically in four areas: <br /> <br />Beautification <br />o <br /> <br />Downtown <br />o <br /> <br />Sylvan Beach <br />o <br /> <br />Retail (III,26) <br />o <br />3 <br /> <br />