CUED

The Retail Sector in Harvey: Analysis and Alternatives for Revitalization

Evidence gathered for this report established that Harvey residents can support a larger and more diversified local retail sector. Residents purchase much of their footwear, apparel, dining, grocery, sporting, home improvement, and department store goods in stores located outside of Harvey. Chain stores specializing in these goods may be targeted for attraction, or independent retailers may be assisted and supported for development of these types of stores. The need for a large grocery store seems particularly pressing. Given their seemingly higher commitment to retailing in Harvey and their low comparative representation among retail owners, residents and African-American individuals may be especially targeted for development of these stores.

There are several concepts that should be explored for the revitalization of local retail, including: redevelopment of the downtown area around a theme (a meeting place, an administrative center, an African-American cultural or entertainment core for the south suburbs); development of retail to serve Metra commuters who park their cars near the downtown area (e.g., card/gift shop, convenience store); development of mini-malls in support of the main existing concentrations of retail; efforts to consolidate existing retail strips and to concentrate any new retail; development of a retail park for auto repair businesses; targeting areas of heavy traffic along the secondary highways, for example, around gas stations and mini-malls offering retail and services to a regional clientele. Copying, faxing, and computer services are examples of the types of stores that could be included.

Shoppers come from outside Harvey to buy cars or parts or to have their cars fixed. They also come to shop for drug items and furniture. The City of Harvey should explore ways to reinforce and solidify these businesses. They are the magnets bringing outside consumers to town. They can bring others. Meanwhile, improvements in retail may get shoppers to buy other retail goods as well.

Harvey needs to pay special attention to the improvement of current retail areas, to issues of image and security, to vacant retail space, and to other matters discouraging consumers from shopping locally.

Organization of a chamber of commerce or a local non-profit economic development organization and financial and other assistance to retailers may be the starting point for these efforts. In the interim, we are recommending a series of short-term action steps ranging from close consultation with retailers through agreement on a set of revitalization strategies to close coordination of efforts between retailers, public officials, real estate owners, developers, bankers, and consumers towards the revitalization of retail in the city.

Finally, Harvey's proximity to the communities of Dixmoor and Phoenix, with which it has much in common, suggests that these three communities could benefit from developing a common retail strategy in one or more areas. For instance, attraction of a supermarket, department, footwear, and/or apparel store to the area would capture local dollars which now flow out of the communities, as well as have the possibility of attracting shoppers from other communities. Also, the communities may want to consolidate, improve, or develop a retail park in one or more areas of current retail strength, for example, auto after care and/or home improvement. Any such strategy should be developed with the concerns of all three communities taken into consideration so that each realizes concrete benefits from cooperation.

This website is maintained by Cedric Williams, Manager System Services,
UIC-Center for Urban Economic Development