Your team is assigned to do a study of a retail shopping district in Norman. You will analyze and describe the composition of the district, trying to draw conclusions about the changes which may come about in the next ten years. Your report will be considered as a general survey of the district, the role which the district plays, and its prospects for future business locations.

In your report, you will describe the general character of retail activities in your district. This will require inventory of the number and types of businesses in your study area and a map showing the location of the various stores and other economic functions. In analyzing the area, you will want to consider the following points:

1. The role(s) or function(s) played by this area in the city.
2. The market area served by the district in terms of geographic area, demographic, and pyschographic patterns.
3. The changes which have taken place in the recent past and the reasons for these changes.
4. The future potential for expansion and new business in the area.
5. A prediction of changes in the area during the next ten years.

This report will require several trips to your area for familiarization, inventory, and mapping the businesses. You may wish to interview local business people in the area to collect information. Census and transporation data may aid you in your analysis. You should consider transportation routes and traffic patterns as you consider the market area.

Grading:

1. Team written report. This will be a term paper, 3-5 pages in length, plus any graphs or maps necessary to carry out the tasks listed above. Be sure to include your conclusions in addition to discussing the shopping center, as well as why the team feels the center is a success or failure. It must be typed and adhere to standard grammatical and logical expectations of any professional report. Each group should initially elect a group leader, and individuals may want to divide up work so that time, labor, and talents are best utilized.
2. Team class presentation. Each team will give a visual presentation in class, limited to ten minutes. You may want to elect a presenter for this purpose. You must prepare your report on two large poster boards. Include maps and outlines of your most important conclusions. Use of photographs is encouraged.
3. Individual statement. This will describe your contributions. In addition, evaluate others on the team. This is important. All members must work together, and self-evaluation will provide identification of those who do not contribute.
4. Grade. Following the points listed above, delivering a well-prepared presentation in class, and submission of well-written team and individual papers will result in superior grades. Good speaking skills on the part of the presenter(s), attendance of all members during the presentation, and organization is mandatory.
5. Due Dates:. Wednesday, November 12, will be devoted to a brief report, limited to five minutes, of each team. The poster or formal presentation is not required, but evidence of work must be presented. This will allow each team to prepare for the formal presentations, which start on Friday, November 14, and go through Wednesday, November 19. To avoid undue procrastination and apprehension from early/late presentations, the instructor will decide which times the groups present immediately before class on Wednesday, November 12. The list will be revealed BEFORE progress reports start and will be posted on the course web page.
6. Point Total. This exercise will be worth 15 points. Since all members receive the same grade, it is imperative that all work together, and plan on having your project completed (team and indiviual papers and visual presentation) by Friday, November 14.
7. Need Help? Even though class does not formally meet on either November 7 and 10, Jeff Alexander will be available in the office to answer questions or address concerns that you may have. On Friday, November 7, I will not be available after 12 noon. I will be available from 10-11:30AM, however. Feel free to call the office or send me email should those times not be appropriate for meeting.