The UMKC Bloch School of Business and Public Administration’s Lewis White Real Estate Center and the Allen and Gloria Block Family Foundation recently announced the formation of the Allen J. Block Scholarship Fund to support students at the Bloch School wishing to pursue a real estate career. Above, back row, from left are Stephen Block, Kenneth Block, Michael Block, Block Real Estate Services, LLC with (seated) Gloria Block, wife of the late Allen
Block, and Walter Clements, director, UMKC Bloch School White Real Estate Center. In the background is a portrait of Allen Block. The Allen and Gloria Block Family Foundation has created a scholarship endowment, which will remain open for ongoing additional contributions from the Foundation, friends and colleagues who wish to honor Allen Block, and those who wish to provide more opportunities for real estate students.
“Our family could think of no better way and no better place to start this scholarship fund in our father’s honor so that his love for the business can be carried well into the future through upcoming young professionals,” says Kenneth Block, Managing Principal, Block Real Estate Services, LLC and son of the late Allen Block, who passed away in 2009 at the age of 93. The fund will award one or more scholarships every year to prospective recipients who demonstrate noteworthy accomplishments such as community service, extracurricular activity, commitment to a career in real estate and a GPA of at least 3.0.
“It is an honor to be recognized as an innovative provider of real estate education in Kansas City,” says Walt Clements, director of the White Center. “The generosity of families like the Blocks is what makes what we do possible – we hope others will join in keeping Kansas City’s inspiring real estate legacy alive for generations to come.”
Aron Real Estate specializes in Crossroads properties
Suzie Aron (above left with daughter Debbie) has been involved with the Crossroads area of Kansas City for many years. She started buying properties there about 12 years ago, and at the same time developed a neighborhood association (where she’s currently president) to stabilize and help grow the area. So when she decided recently to launch Aron Real Estate with her daughter, Debbie Aron-Williamson, it made sense to stick with her expertise and open their new office in the Crossroads.
“I’ve been involved with the Crossroads since the beginning of its revival, and our family is really invested here,” Aron said. “So now we’re working with the community as brokers and as volunteers.”
The Arons are urban core specialists catering to owners, users, investors, and small business owners interested in the creative reuse of commercial properties. They have experience with rehabs, new construction, and build to suits. Their buyers work with governmental agencies for tax abatement, PIEA, TIFF and Historic Tax Credits. Currently, sample listings include 1903-1907 Wyandotte (up to 13,800 square feet in the heart of the Crossroads with an incredible roof garden); 1612 Grand (15,000 square feet of office or residential rehab just a short walk to Power & Light); and 1919 Baltimore (4,000 square feet in central Crossroads with fireplace, garden, kitchen and more.) For more information, go to www.aronrealestate.com.
Grubb & Ellis|The Winbury Group hosts Lawrence commercial real estate forecast event
If you’re a Jayhawk fan, or just a fan of Lawrence, you’ll be interested in the 2010 Lawrence commercial real estate forecast event that was held recently at the Lawrence Arts Center, presented by Grubb & Ellis|The Winbury Group. Featured speakers included Robert Bach (above), Senior Vice President, Chief Economist, Grubb & Ellis Company, who prepares Grubb & Ellis’ national market publications and oversees the preparation of over 90 metro trends reports covering quarterly market conditions in metropolitan office, industrial, and retail markets around the country. He was joined by Kelvin Heck, Senior Vice President/Principal and Branch Broker, Grubb & Ellis|The Winbury Group, and Tom Kern, President/Chief Executive Officer of the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce, and panelists included (below) Lynn Parman, Vice President, Bioscience Development Kansas City Area Development Council; Carey Novak, Director of Business Relations and Development University of Kansas Center for Research; and Sherry Schaub, Outside Director HiPer Technology, Inc. and Reuter Organ Company.

One interesting report noted that in Lawrence, new retail construction will inch overall inventory upward with additions in Bauer Farms and Oread Inn, but that the area will likely see additional retail closings while economy works to rebound. Retail vacancy is expected to creep further upward to nearly 7%; lease rates will experience continued softening with leasing incentives for qualified tenants; but new restaurant interest remains strong; and they may finally see the former Food-4-Less and other chronically vacant spaces occupied in 2010.
Correction: Ora Reynolds, who was featured in Wednesday’s edition of MetroWireKC, became president of Hunt Midwest Real Estate Development on January 1. As noted, Reynolds was promoted to president of the real estate company after Lee Derrough retired at the end of 2009.
Ora Reynolds is the new President for Hunt Midwest Real Estate Development. Her responsibilities include overall management of Hunt Midwest’s residential, industrial and commercial properties — including SubTropolis, Hunt Midwest Business Center, and 12 master-planned residential communities. In addition, she focuses on expansion opportunities and strategic planning. Ora took over as President of the company when Lee Derrough retired on Dec. 31.
The Building Owners and Managers Association of Kansas City held its regular monthly luncheon meeting recently at the KC Club featuring speaker Jim Peck (above), chair and chief elected officer of BOMA International. The mission of this association is to promote realization of the full value of the human, intellectual and physical assets of the commercial real estate industry through advocacy efforts, educational opportunities, information exchange and professional alliances.
