We're here to support you and your community during this unprecedented time 

The response to the spread of the COVID-19 virus has caused widespread strain on communities, businesses, retail establishments, families and individuals alike. As humans, our natural response to dealing with collective stress is to come together and to support each other in community. The need to maintain physical distance during the spread of the virus makes this crisis a uniquely lonely one.

So, there has never been a more important time to find creative solutions to keep and strengthen the fabric of our relationships, communities, and economy. It's imperative that we as a local and global society stay connected so that we can weather this time of crisis and emerge from it potentially stronger and ready to take on the social and economic recovery with all the energy and aplomb required.

As such, we offer the following to support you, your family, and your organizations during this time of flux. Scroll down to view resources for:
  • Commercial Districts and Small Businesses
  • Parks, Streets, and Neighborhoods
  • Office and Industrial Buildings

​Wintertime Activation Strategies

Our COVID Winter Activation rapid response toolkit focuses on the unique challenges - and opportunities - posed by winter while COVID-19-based restrictions and considerations are still in effect. In particular, the toolkit presents strategies to support:
  • People staying connected to their communities in order to reduce social isolation and support mental health
  • Outdoor active living and physical wellness
  • Continued access to critical services for all members of our community
  • Economic vitality by driving customer traffic and sales to small businesses and to commercial districts

Winter Activation Strategies: Extended Article
For a longer examination and list of activation strategies for downtowns and public spaces, check out this article by Max Musicant published in the American Downtown Revitalization Review. 

For Commercial Districts and Small Businesses 

These are challenging times. The spread of the COVID-19 virus and our society’s efforts to contain it have affected our main streets and their small businesses especially hard. Into this breach we've crafted this rapid response toolkit to support commercial districts and help your small businesses navigate and survive the repercussions of COVID-19.

As the societal situations change, so too will the toolkit, with iterative versions released going forward. To provide us with feedback on what you'd like help and guidance with, please fill out this short 4-question survey: ​https://lnkd.in/eskTqYd. 

Hospitality and Placemaking Strategies During COVID
​Presentation given to the Minnesota Shopping Center Association on June 26, 2020
​Click the image below to download the
Toolkit Version 2.0

For Parks, Streets, and Neighborhoods

​This moment requires us to find creative solutions to support the health of our communities by reimagining our built environment. The crisis caused by COVID presents us with unique challenges we must address, but also incredible opportunities to create a better world now and for after the virus subsides.

This rapid response toolkit, commissioned by Hennepin County, is crafted to support your provision of safe public spaces that foster healthy and active communities. In particular it provides:
  • Specific and creative ideas for how to use public space, streets, and private spaces to solve problems and realize opportunities
  • Processes to implement those ideas
  • Tips for how to overcome obstacles
  • Messaging for internal and external parties
  • Links to additional resources and case studies

As the societal situations are constantly changing, the toolkit will be released in iterative versions to reflect emerging community needs. To ensure we are as responsive to your needs as possible, we've created a short survey for those involved with public spaces, parks, streets, bike and pedestrian transportation, and active living to fill out and guide future toolkit editions.
​Click the image below to download the Toolkit Version 2.0

For Building  Owners and Property Managers

There is a saying that you can only really demonstrate your organization's commitment to customer service and hospitality after something has​ gone wrong. While no one would ever have wished for this public health pandemic, it presents an opportunity for building owners and property managers to step into the breech and support their tenants and their employees when they need it the most. 
​The state of affairs
If you are a building owner or property manager, a significant number of your tenants have likely moved to remote working, or worse, closing completely if they are retail establishments. In response, now is the time to demonstrate that you are a true partner in the success of your tenants and their employees. During this time of physical distancing, buildings can and should support tenants and their employees via : 
  • Offering tips and tricks about how to more effectively work from home, take on additional childcare responsibilities, and maintain a healthy lifestyle
  • Promote retail establishments that are temporary closed and/or are still operating
  • Providing digital venues for people to connect with one another
  • Promote productive ways for people to safely contribute to our societal response to COVID-19
Your tools
While your tenants no longer share the physical common areas of their buildings as they work remotely, they still are linked to your "digital common areas". Hopefully you've been engaging with your tenants prior to this crisis and built up deep communication channels with them. But no matter where you are on this spectrum, buildings can leverage the following to deliver real service, connection, and community to tenants via:
  • E-newsletters
  • Social media
  • Building websites and blogs
  • Surveys to gauge how people are doing and what they need support around
  • Video conferencing platforms
What's Next
This crisis will end, but we don't know how long it will go or the severity of its impact. By focusing on supporting the community of your buildings, landlords and property managers can emerge from this crisis having:
  • Tenants and employees enthusiastic about coming back to the office 
  • Much stronger relationships with their tenants
  • A lower likelihood of tenant-business failure 
  • Meaningfully enhanced the reputation as a building/landlord who cares about and supports their tenants

Musicant Group Examples
For examples on how The Musicant Group is creating a stronger community for buildings and landlords during this time of COVID, you can view and subscribe to our various e-newsletters:
Podcasts and Webinars featuring The Musicant Group
​The Fly Through Podcast: Place Making Without Place
Max Musicant talks about how those in the real estate industry can support their tenants and the broader community during the COVID crisis on The Fly Through podcast
Road to Recovery Webinar: Office Environment
​This Destination Medical Center webinar discusses what building owners and operators can do to successfully re-open their operations as shelter-in-place orders are relaxed. Max Musicant joined other panelists to discuss how to convey a safe and healthy environment as well as creating a compelling tenant experience that will encourage the business world to return to their offices. 

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