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Hot Deals in the Right PlacesJanuary 15, 2005By Jack SkelleyULI LA’s Urban Marketplace – launched here in Los Angeles and now being replicated by ULI district councils nationwide – has become one of the most important tools in the developer toolbox. Over the previous four years, this conference has attracted over 2,000 real estate professionals and government and community leaders with a common goal: to bring much-needed economic development to the inner city. Judging by the keen interest of sponsors and by the credentials of experts planning presentations, Urban Marketplace 2005 will be among the most powerful conferences yet. Set for Wednesday, March 16, at Los Angeles Convention Center, the event is themed ‘Matching Capital, Opportunities, and Know How,’ and will feature case studies on some of L.A.’s most vibrant urban projects. These include: Chesterfield Square, a retail development in the Crenshaw district by Katell Properties; KoreaTown, a mixed-use project; Santee Court, MJW investments’ adaptive re-use loft community near the Fashion District of downtown L.A.; and Jefferson Plaza, another retail development at Crenshaw and Jefferson boulevards by West Angeles CDC. Industry leaders representing each project respectively are Jerry Katell, Bruce Rothman, Mark Weinstein, and Lula Ballton. Maureen McAvey, ULI Senior Resident Fellow for Urban Development, will provide over-arching perspectives and engage the conference attendees in an interactive discussion. “These panelists provide what we call an anatomy of the successful urban deal,” says 2005 ULI Los Angeles Urban Marketplace Chair John Whitaker, Partner at DLA Piper Rudnick Gray Cary US LLP. “Their observations translate into richly valuable, real-world advice on how capital, opportunities, and know-how come together to build catalytic projects in the inner city.” One of the innovations in this year’s Urban Marketplace program is that the development team from each case-study project will convene at the roundtable discussions with smaller groups for more informal and in-depth dialog on their areas of expertise. Additional Urban Marketplace roundtables bring forth the knowledge of participating developers, civic leaders, lenders, equity investors, attorneys, brokers, and other professionals. Exhibitors offer a wide array of exhibits focused on inner-city development, along with information on eligibility for tax credits in low-income census tracts throughout Los Angeles. “In addition to this high level of expertise, Urban Marketplace provides the opportunity to make strong personal connections among like-minded professionals,” says Whitaker. “All are united in their desire to elevate and transform areas of the city that are most in need of revitalization.” Register before March 11, 2005, to take advantage of the pre-registration rate of $25. Call (800) 321-5011. For program conference information, visit the ULI LA web site at www.uli-la.org. Jack Skelley is public relations director of Rodan Paolucci Roddan, based in Palos Verdes Estates. | |
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