Birmingham could turn to Realtors to help diversify retail mix

Downtown Birmingham isn’t hurting for retail options, but one city group has suggested a new strategy to bring in more quality and variety of shops.

Last month, the Birmingham Shopping District Board voted to research and discuss the possibility of an incentive-based program that would entice area real estate professionals to help ll vacant commercial space in the downtown area.

e program is in the preliminary stage, according to Cristina Sheppard-Decius, the new executive director of the Birmingham Shopping

District. Realtors who recruit retail businesses to downtown Birmingham based on a to-be-determined criteria would qualify for an incentive, Sheppard-Decius told Crain’s.

“Our goal for the area is quality and diversity of businesses over quantity,” said Sheppard-Decius, who began her role with the city on Dec. 1 after working in downtown economic development roles in Dearborn and Ferndale. She was also a Crain’s 40 Under 40 honoree in 2009. e move comes after the city ended a three-year relationship with Bloomeld Hills-based CC Consulting, operated by Principal Cindy Ciura. Ciura, who also has helped bring retailers to the Somerset Collection in Troy and Campus Martius in downtown Detroit, helped ll six retail space vacancies over those three years.