ULI Oklahoma members met on March 31, 2009 for a members' forum to discuss major issues affecting development in Oklahoma and what members need from ULI programs to overcome these issues. Members identified six major areas, and through small group facilitation, identified programming needs. Each group presented their ideas to the larger group. All members were asked to place an X on those impact areas they thought most important. What follows is a prioritized list of issue areas and what ULI Oklahoma members want to learn from local, regional and national programs. Issues and votes.

In January, YLG brought you the second part of the Development 101 series, in which Grant Humphreys discussed the financing make-up of his recently completed Block 42 condos and his up-and-coming Flatiron and Downtown Airpark projects.

In February, YLG teamed up with the District Council Executive Committee for a very intimate "Real Estate Roulette". The lights went out, and we had to hold the event over candlelight! This first-of-its-kind event featured long-time OKC developers Ron Bradshaw and David Yost answering randomly selected questions from what can only be described as the "roulette wheel of interrogation". A special thanks to Anthony McDermid for serving as our emcee during this light-hearted event.

In March, the YLG arranged for Chuck Ainsworth to give ULI members a sneak peek of the Candy Factory, which is a rehabilitation project of the Bunte Candy Building located at 1 East Sheridan. Thanks go to the Deep Deuce Grill for hosting a ULI networking event after the tour.

Looking forward...

In an effort to bring the development community's youngest members in contact with some of it's most seasoned professionals, the YLG also likes to occasionally host informal luncheons. The next informal lunch was held with Jane Jenkins and Carl Edwards on April 15.

Finally, plans for Development 101, Part 3, Marketing and Exiting the Project, are currently being finalized for late summer. The developers of Founders Tower at 360 will give insight into exiting a project. More information coming soon!

Ideas?

As always we very much appreciate your input on new topics and/or new projects worthy of a site visit. Please send us your ideas! Also if you know of someone that might benefit from some of the educational and networking opportunities offered by the YLG, please have them contact us at tw@eeda.com or aj.kirkpatrick@okc.gov.

In the past decade cities across America have come to life.  People of all ages are seeking to live and work in places that offer a sense of community.  This is certainly the case here in Oklahoma – and it’s the heart of ULI:
The mission of the Urban Land Institute is to provide leadership in the responsible use of land and in creating and sustaining thriving communities worldwide.

The idea of forming a ULI District Council in Oklahoma began just over two years ago.  Blair Humphreys (I’m proud to be his dad!) graduated of the University of Oklahoma and moved home to Oklahoma City hoping to embark on a career in real estate development.  Having joined ULI as a college student, he believed that Oklahoma City would benefit from a local ULI District Council. 

Read Kirk's complete letter.

 

To view the presentations from our successful Revitalizing Urban Neighborhood Retail event, click here.