Our Boulder HQ has a new view! 👋 We are excited to announce that Sovrn has officially moved to Pearl Street, in the heart of Downtown Boulder, Colorado!
Today, I’m standing with Mayor Breed and Sen. Wiener to announce the first Entertinment Zone in California - Front Street!
“Downtown San Francisco needs a nightlife renaissance post-pandemic. Launching California’s first ever entertainment zone on Front Street is significant and will catalyze more reasons to come downtown,” Robbie Silver, executive director of the Downtown SF Partnership, said in a statement.
Kevin TruongThe San Francisco Standardhttps://lnkd.in/da6Y_3vx
It's taken a few months, but I have my newest deep dive history of downtown Gainesville, part two of a three-part history. The 1980's were the first steps in revitalization. By focusing on designing for people and investing in the arts we created the sparks that would make downtown a lively city center by the early 2000's. How we funded that and how these decisions made downtown what it is today was what I focused on. Give it a read and let me know what you think:
https://lnkd.in/gdCwxspF
It’s no secret that real estate development has long been dominated by a particular demographic, but despite undeniable talent, women and people of color remain underrepresented. The REDI program is a great first step toward building a more inclusive and equitable industry.
The mentorship component of the program is invaluable. Our participants had the opportunity to learn directly from seasoned real estate professionals, gaining insight into the challenges and opportunities unique to our local community.
However, the core reason there is so little diversity in the real estate development industry can’t be ignored: access to equity and the ability to guarantee a loan.
Municipalities, corporations, and banks need to come together to establish first-in catalytic funding commitments as well as pre-development funding sources.
Microsoft, Facebook, Google, Amazon, and Apple have all dedicated funds specifically to address housing.
United Healthcare, Humana, and Blue Cross Blue Shield have dedicated funds to housing.
Bank of America and Wells Fargo have dedicated grant funding as well as low-interest patient funds to support minority developers.
We, here in Northwest Arkansas, need to find local partners willing to do the same.
Vice President | Commercial Lending First National Bank of NWA
Earlier this week I had the privilege to serve Urban Land Institute Northwest Arkansas by joining a judging panel for their newly launched REDI program. This night completed the program where four teams presented their development projects on land that is currently owned by the city of Rogers in the downtown core. Every team did a fantastic job! This program was led by Megan Brown (in photo) and Tiffany Hudson. Great job ladies!!
"It will make you cry." - Stephanie Barber Geter.
I was honored to meet and interview Stephanie Barber-Geter for my film "Buffalo: America's Best Designed City." (see an excerpt below)
Mrs. Barber-Geter (1954-2024) was a "community pillar" for Buffalo - an original opponent of the destruction of Humboldt Parkway, and a tireless champion for restoring it.
Eleven years ago, we released the film in which she appears, which now has 1.2+ million views.
The film reminds Buffalo that it was once "the best-planned city in the world," and recounts how it later squandered that legacy in a series of tragic decisions: Buffalo rammed freeways through its one-of-a-kind world-class Olmsted parks; and for good measure, the city added a freeway all along the entire waterfront, cutting off downtown and historic neighborhoods from access to the Niagara River and Lake Erie.
There really is only one path forward for Buffalo. It's especially obvious now that even the economic development experts (after so many failed silver bullet projects) have realized that the best economic development is actually #placemaking.
Buffalo can easily reclaim its title as America's best-designed city - and it does not require some insanely expensive expenditure or innovative invention. The money and technology to fix it exist right now. It is eminently doable. It simply requires removing the freeways.
This is not even a radical proposal anymore. #FreewayRemoval has been done in cities all across America and around the world, and it has worked every time. Milwaukee, Seoul, San Francisco, Rochester, the list goes on.
Stephanie Barber Geter spoke the truth. Hopefully, other civic leaders will finally rise up and call for the removal of freeways, the reconnection to the waterfront, and complete restoration of Olmsted's parks and parkways.
Green Bay, WI, is often celebrated for its small-town charm and robust community spirit. But let's not sugarcoat it the success of Green Bay is not just due to its picturesque landscape or local camaraderie. There's a parallel to draw here with the rise of Silicon Valley.
Back in the 1970s, Silicon Valley wasn't the tech behemoth it is today. It was a collection of small towns and orchards. The transformation was driven by visionary leadership, investment in talent, and a relentless pursuit of innovation. Similarly, Green Bay's economic resilience and growth are not mere accidents. Strategic investments in local businesses, a supportive infrastructure, and a focus on sustainable development have been pivotal.
However, the difference lies in the scale and ambition. Silicon Valley aimed for global dominance, while Green Bay is content with regional stability. Is this a missed opportunity? Imagine if Green Bay adopted a more aggressive growth mindset. Could it become the next big hub for innovation in the Midwest?
The lesson here is clear: local charm and community spirit are excellent foundations, but without a grand vision and strategic execution, they remain just that foundations. Green Bay has the potential to be more than just a charming city; it can be a powerhouse of innovation and growth. The question is, will it dare to dream bigger? https://lnkd.in/ec5aNdWS
Urban Planning Professional | Human Scale Urban Design | Advancing the redesign of cities to promote environmental & economic sustainability
Touring the Joe Louis Greenway in Detroit at the Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals (APBP) conference last week. This project is a master class in creating an authentic, reciprocal relationship with community that's based in mutual respect. When community needs are centered on a project like this, there's a tangible sense of care when walking the trail. Kudos to Christina Peltier and everyone at the City of Detroit and SmithGroup who made this a reality, including colleagues from Toole Design Group :). And thank you for organizing a wonderful tour, Christina! It was an honor to meet Miss Williams, Miss Pickens, and Mr Rio and witness their testimony about how much this greenway means to them.
Can't wait to visit Detroit again.
Advisor, Office of Kimbal Musk
1moRight next door to me… welcome to the hood!!