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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.

How did you get into real estate development at Hunt Midwest?

My degree is in finance, so I started my career in corporate lending to middle market companies in Central Florida. When I joined Hunt Midwest in 1991 as manager of new business development, my mission was to find ways for the company to grow and expand.  A related entity owned raw land in the Northland so we began our initial foray into residential development in a big way by entitling 300 acres for 900+ homes as our first project. At that point, our president, Lee Derrough said to me, “You can turn this project over to our commercial folks or you can try to grow the residential side of the business yourself.”  I chose the latter, and 18 years later, I’m so glad I did! Since 1993, I have been responsible for the acquisition and entitlement of over 3,300 acres for 20 projects and the actual development of 5,000 residential lots in the metro area. Over 4,000 families live in a Hunt Midwest community. In 2007, I took on the additional responsibility of overseeing the commercial /industrial division as vice president and general manager of the overall Hunt Midwest real estate operation.

How have SubTropolis and your surface business park been impacted by the current economy?

Traditionally, when the economy struggles, we see more businesses interested in leasing space in the underground so they can operate their companies more cost effectively. SubTropolis can save businesses up to 70 percent in total occupancy costs compared to surface properties. Both large and small businesses benefit from low lease rates, on-site property management and 24/7 security.  Constant temperatures of 65 to 72 degrees year-round reduce heating and cooling costs and underground parking is a big benefit – especially during this time of the year. For those who cannot be accommodated in SubTropolis, our surface business park, Hunt Midwest Business Center at I-435 and Parvin Road, offers another option. Despite the current economy, Alexander Mechanical, Inland Truck Parts, and Murphy Tractor & Equipment chose our industrial park for their new operations in 2009. In anticipation of more activity in 2010, we are in process of completing an 80-acre expansion to Hunt Midwest Business Center.

You work in a predominantly male industry and are the highest ranking woman at Hunt Midwest. As a woman, how did you navigate through?

I think I was able to make my way because I didn’t really overthink it. Instead of focusing on whether I was the only woman in a room, I worked to understand the business, find opportunities, build relationships, put the right team in place, and give them the tools to be successful. I also spent a lot of time networking with others in the industry and have greatly benefited from many mentors both inside and outside of Hunt Midwest. Bottom line, I think hard work pays off, whether you are a woman or a man.

You’ve spent many years with the Hunt family, and everyone in town knows about SubTropolis and the Chiefs (and now your residential and surface industrial). But what other things in the community does Hunt Midwest get involved in?

Hunt Midwest encourages our employees to be involved in the community. We are active in several of the Chambers of Commerce, economic development organizations, arts organizations and groups that support our local schools.  Another example of the Hunt’s generosity is the Groundhog Run, which is the only known sanctioned 5K and 10Krace run entirely underground in SubTropolis. Hunt Midwest donates the facility and staff. This January will be the 28^th running of the race, which has raised $3.4 million to help children at Children’s TLC (Therapeutic Learning Center).

You have a lot on your plate right now. What do you do in your spare time?

I love to play tennis (competitively sometimes!) and try to work that into my schedule as often as possible. I am a “foodie” and love our great local restaurants. I read, attend the theatre, and love to travel. Vacation spots in 2009 included Santa Barbara; St. John USVI; Vancouver, BC; New York City; and Chicago. It is important to work hard, but it is also important to play!

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.

Before Peck spoke, several new members were recognized including Nicholas Lamb – Georgia Pacific; Michael Jones – True North Snow;  Al Stokes – G4S Wackenhut;  Junior Thomason – Oliver Electric; Bob Kunze – Cates Service Co.; Kyle Kiekel – Cates Service Co.; David Elmore – Metro Air; Christy Ford – ThyssenKrupp; Mike Schwartz – ThyssenKrupp; and Nicole Buland – Regents Flooring.

Peck talked about many issues affecting the industry, including the roll out of the development of the BOMA 360 Performance Program, a groundbreaking new program designed to validate and recognize commercial properties that demonstrate best practices in all major areas of building operations and management. A BOMA 360 Performance Building designates that a property is being managed to the highest standards of excellence.

 The Building Owners and Managers Association of Metropolitan Kansas City (BOMA Kansas City) was established in 1926 as the trade association for the areas office building industry.  BOMA Kansas City is made up of the companies and individuals who own, manage, supply and provide services to the metropolitan area’s commercial, corporate and government office buildings. BOMA Kansas City offers a year-round schedule of services, programs, and activities designed to support the professional development of its members, represent their common interests, and provide them with a means of building and maintaining industry business relationships.

Power Partners bring unparalleled value to construction industry 

Recently we met with NECA/IBEW Power Partners (above from left: Terry Akins, Roger Beach, Kevin Head, K.C. Borden, Travis Ragan and Jerry Root) at their Labor Management Cooperation Committee (LMCC) meeting. The Power Partners is a unique alliance between the Kansas City Chapter of the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union No. 124 (IBEW). Representing 72 electrical contractors and over 2000 skilled workers, the Power Partners specialize in industrial, commercial and residential installations, renovations, design-build and maintenance for the Greater Kansas City Area.

Attending the meeting were board members Kenneth C. “K.C.” Borden, Executive Director, NECA; Jerry Root, President, Broadway Electrical Construction, Inc.; Bob Blake, President, Shaw Electric Co.; Kevin Head, President, Superior Electrical Construction; Terry Akins, Business Manager, IBEW Local Union No. 124; Roger Beach, President, IBEW Local Union No. 124; Bryant “BZ” Parscale, Business Representative, IBEW Local Union No. 124; and Travis Ragan, Executive Board, IBEW Local Union No. 124.

We talked to LMCC members about what they believed were hot topics for the local electrical construction market. Energy management and green building efficiencies are at the forefront of the news these days, but for the Power Partners, that’s the way they’ve been doing business all along. “Renewables, energy management, LEED Certified projects, retrofits—we were all on board long before it was considered new,” said Terry Akins, business manager for IBEW Local Union No. 124. Power Partners’ members have been professionally installing state-of-the-art building energy management systems, high-efficiency lighting and environmental systems, renewable energy solutions and retrofitting buildings with energy-saving technology for over a decade. Because the industry is ever changing, training is key in keeping current and meeting the needs of an expanding field of work. At the Power Partners Joint Apprenticeship Training Center (JATC), apprentices work full-time and take classes in the evenings during a five-year program. Journeymen also participate in continuing education to stay abreast of the latest technologies. In addition, Power Partners’ electrical contractors have LEED Accredited Professionals (APs) available that have gone through training and accreditation in order to help support the many LEED Certified projects in and around Kansas City. “Our contractors provide progressive power solutions and can assist during the building design process, adding expertise and innovative answers that can help control costs and ensure LEED certification requirements are met,” said K.C. Borden, executive director of the Kansas City Chapter of NECA.

 In Kansas City, the Power Partners have worked on many LEED Certified projects, including Gold LEED Certified Johnson County Emergency Communications Center, Gold LEED Certified Johnson County Sunset Drive Office Building, Silver LEED Certified Grand Ballroom at the Kansas City Convention Center, Silver LEED Certified Applebee’s Support Center, and the LEED Certified IRS Processing Facility.

They strive to bring unparalleled value to the construction industry in the Kansas City area through their experienced contractors and highly-trained workforce. They’re committed to providing innovative solutions and lasting, quality installations. Year-round community involvement is also an important focus for the Power Partners. Most recently, they were sponsors of the holiday lighting at the Ronald McDonald House Charities at Longfellow Park, located at 25^th and Cherry. This was their fourth year stringing lights for the enjoyment of the children and families staying over the holiday season. This is only one of the many worthwhile charitable events sponsored by Power Partners every year. For more information, please visit www.thepowerpartners.com.

OFFICE

Uhlig LLC leased 77,828 square feet at Six Pine Ridge Plaza in Lenexa, KS.  Kenneth Block, Gene Elsas, and Brian Bock of Block Real Estate Services represented the landlord.  Rollie Fors, Tom Volini, Ed Elder, and Tom Haverty of Grubb & Ellis, The Winbury Group represented Uhlig.

Ferrellgas, LP renewed their lease of 28,582 square feet in Lighton Tower located at 7500 College Blvd. in Overland Park, Kansas.  Jeffrey Kembel and Matthew Hanson of NAI Capital Realty negotiated the transaction along with Kristi Grego of Ferrellgas Real Estate, Inc.

CRST Logistics, Inc. leased 3,293 square feet in Fairway Corporate Center located at 4210-20 Shawnee Mission Parkway in Fairway, Kansas.  Robert Keatley, SIOR of NAI Capital Realty negotiated the transaction along with Patrick Meraz of Harbinger Property Group.

INDUSTRIAL

Sealy Mattress has leased 121,500 square feet in 435 River Park in Kansas City, KS for 10 years.  Paul Neal, SIOR, CCIM of Grindstone Industrial negotiated the lease. 

 
Norbrook, Inc. renewed their lease of 31,134 square feet in Kansas Commerce Center located at 9733 Loiret Blvd. in Lenexa, Kansas.  Phillip Algrim, SIOR and Erik Lund of NAI Capital Realty negotiated the transaction.

B. Dalke Custom Design, LLC, headquartered in Lenexa, Kansas, has hired Rose Construction Co. to design and build a 9,000 square foot office/manufacturing center at Parkside Business Center located near
Ridgeview and Kansas City Road in Olathe, Kansas.  Russell Pearson and Nathan Anderson, CCIM, SIOR represented Rose Construction in the transaction.

 
Pitney Bowes Inc. renewed their lease of 5,169 square feet in Exchange Place 5 located at 13430 W. 98th St. in Lenexa, Kansas.  Phillip Algrim, SIOR and Erik Lund of NAI Capital Realty negotiated the transaction along with Joe Accurso of Kessinger/Hunter & Co. LC.

THD At-Home Services, Inc. renewed their lease of 6,144 square feet at 9900 Pflumm Rd., Building 6, in Lenexa, Kansas.  Phillip Algrim, SIOR and Erik Lund of NAI Capital Realty negotiated the transaction along with Brian Staton of CB Richard Ellis.

RETAIL

Dr. Dennis Stites has signed a five year lease extension for 1,710 square feet in Douglas Square at 1325 NE Douglas Road in Lee’s Summit, Missouri.  Scott Jerwick and David Bayer of KC Commercial Realty Group, Inc. represented the Landlord.

  Teresa Lippert is CEO of C.R.E.S. Management, L.L.C. (C.R.E.S.), a Missouri-based limited liability company. C.R.E.S. is a well-known leader in the real estate industry, with expertise in acquisition, development, renovation, condominium conversion, and management of multi-family properties throughout the country.

         CRES has received various recognitions for leadership, management and renovations, including 2009 Project of the Year: Apartment Renovation for Quality Hill Apartments and Condominiums by the Multi-Family Executive Magazine. Describe the project, your strategy, and share with us a behind the scenes look at the challenges.

Quality Hill Apartments and Condominiums consists of 382 residential apartments and condominiums stretched over four and a half blocks in downtown Kansas City. It is made up of 21 buildings (11 of which are historic), 2 parking garages, a number of gated parking lots and a swimming pool. Our company acquired this project in February, 2008. At that time it was apartments, several street side retail spaces and the YMCA. Our goal was to convert the community to accommodate a wide variety of homes to meet almost any lifestyle and price range. We began renovating a number of the buildings to condominiums using timeless materials, including new cabinets, sleek granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, plank hardwood floors, tile and slate, walk in showers, new lighting, hardware and six panel doors. The exterior of the buildings also received wood replacement, siding, windows, new roofs, paint and landscaping. We also renovated a number of the apartment buildings to include new or upgraded cabinets, appliances, paint, countertops, decorative lighting and hardware. The common areas of the buildings were also updated with new paint, flooring and elevator upgrades. This project was challenging in many ways, from city restrictions, historical building restrictions and the need to offer a different product in a developing downtown area full of loft-style living spaces.  We wanted our project to stand out as different, inviting, and within a price point that was affordable for everyone. Our goal of being able to offer a variety of lifestyle choices to any person entering our newly updated offices, regardless of their needs, has been met. From the basic apartment, to luxurious apartments and condos – Quality Hill now offers it all.

What are your biggest challenges for 2010 and for the apartment industry in general?

As in 2009, the economic condition of our country will continue to be our biggest challenge.  Unemployment, the lending market in turmoil, and public concern for the future all affect our condo sales, leasing and collections. With more and more people losing jobs we are seeing a rise in nonpayment of rent and families consolidating to save money. This affects our apartment occupancy and income. Expenses continue to increase and most markets are seeing a decrease in rental rates due to the need to offer move-in specials to attract residents whose income has decreased.

 What trends do you see emerging for the next 24 months in the multi-family market?

Economic forecasts tell us that 2010 will remain flat, but 2011 will see improvement. Apartment purchasing and sales should see improvement in late 2010 and in 2011.

 With over 7,000 apartments and condominiums in your portfolio, what types of activities do you and your employees spend the most time doing to ensure your success? 

We constantly monitor the market place in which we do business. Knowing what the competition is doing and making sure we are in line with them is extremely important in today’s world. It is changing almost daily and we must always be competitively priced. We also focus on resident retention. It is now more important than ever to keep our residents and homeowners happy so they will continue living in our communities. We are also spending more time and effort on decreasing expenses. We made big strides in this direction in 2009, by going paperless with our accounts payable, reporting and most communications.  

Describe your involvement with the American Diabetes Society.

I am the Chairperson for the ADA Hoops and Sneakers Gala, Kansas City’s largest fundraiser for the American Diabetes Association. In 2009 we held a number of fundraisers for the ADA leading up to the Gala which will be held Feb. 27 at the Hyatt Regency hotel. I feel very strongly about the importance of raising money to aid in the research of defeating this disease that affects so many people in our world. This is one of the many charities my husband and I are currently involved in. We feel that it is very important to give back to our community and those in need in the world around us.

Tell us about your staff and your commitment to a team effort.

My husband and I are partners in our business and we both work toward growing our company on a daily basis, not only for ourselves, but our employees and their families. We currently employ over 300 people in 5 states and assisting these individuals in realizing their dreams with regard to their career and personal goals is very rewarding. We feel continued education, training and motivation is not only beneficial to them, but also our company, as we gain knowledge and dedication with our “family” of employees. We also take great pride in providing quality homes and service for thousands of people. Our partnership is also a very solid personal one, which is grounded with a wonderful family and friends. Our favorite thing to do is spend time with our adult children and grandchildren.

From national real estate trends to discussions on the industrial and multi-family markets as well as the challenges of working with troubled assets, the eighth annual Integra Real Estate Conference at the Kansas City Convention Center this week hit all the hot topics.

More than 400 professionals attended the “Real Estate Trends & Investment Criteria Forecast 2010″ conference that was presented by Integra Realty Resources in partnership with the Lewis White Real Estate Center at the Bloch School of Business, UMKC. Panelists included Ken Block (above), Managing Principal of Block Real Estate LLC, who spoke on the Office panel and is shown here with Mark Halter, Senior Principal with IRR Corporate & Public Finance.

Guest Speaker Bob White with Real Capital Analytics kicked off the morning session, and this year’s conference was dedicated to the memory of Kevin K. Nunnink, Integra’s co-founder and chairman who passed away in August. The traditional “Leadership Award,” presented to a long-standing professional with crowning achievements in real estate, was re-dedicated the Kevin K. Nunnink Leadership Award and bestowed to Lee Derrough, former president and CEO of Hunt Midwest Enterprises. (below with Integra Realty Resources President JoAnn Nunnink.)

In the afternoon, Esther George, First Vice President of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, gave the keynote presentation on the outlook of the economy and the current position of the Federal Reserve with regard to monetary policy and how it relates to the real estate industry. The rest of the conference included presentations and panel discussions on local retail, office, economic development initiatives as well as the impact of the capital markets on real estate development and finance.  

“I was really impressed by the discussions of Sprint Center (being in the leasing market,)” said Frank Sciara of Grandbridge Real Estate Capital (above), who attended the event and its after-conference happy hour with Eric Enloe of Integra and Tom Turner, also of Grandbridge. They also thought discussions on the industrial market by Michael Block of Block Real Estate Services, Olen Monsees of Karbank Real Estate Company, and Dick Ringer from Hunt Midwest were helpful as they focused on growing supply and flat effective rents as well as discussing significant transactions over the past year and changing demand components.

Larry Baughman with Great Western Bank and Doug Miller with Miller, Haviland, Ketter (above) also spent the day listening to experts. One of the more popular discussions was the Troubled Assets panel that was made up of several attorneys who gave insights on how work outs of troubled loans are handled from both the borrower and lender perspective. And talking about the office market were Kenneth Jaggers, Managing Director of Integra, Ken Block, Tom Blunk, principal, Quadrangle, LLC, and Jon Copaken with Copaken, White & Blitt.  Finally, the cheerful Integra staff (below are Shanna Vance (event coordinator), Brenda Rinehart, Joanna Ripley and Tonya Caffery) was always present throughout the day, keeping the conference running smoothly from beginning to end.

Walt Clements, CCIM, MRCM, is the Director of the Lewis White Real Estate Center in the Bloch School of Business at the University of Missouri in Kansas City.  He is also a broker and developer with Grubb and Ellis, Winbury of Kansas City. 

Walt has been in the brokerage business since 1971 and received his CCIM designation in 1975. He has participated in exchanging, syndication, and development, including marinas, mini-storage, and fast food restaurants. In that time, he also started his own commercial real estate brokerage, development and management company in St. Joseph, Michigan. Walt moved to Kansas City in 1983 where he became a full-time sales manager, building an 18-person investment brokerage firm into a 40-person commercial real estate company with annual sales in excess of $100 million. He served as Senior Vice President-Principal with Colliers Turley Martin Tucker, the largest commercial real estate brokerage and development firm between Chicago and Dallas for 14 years specializing in investment properties.  He started a real estate development company and developed two shopping centers and an office park.  Recently he has been devoting a larger portion of his time to starting a Real Estate Center at University of Missouri in Kansas City.  

What is the state of the real estate industry today?

The cyclical nature of the real estate industry is alive and well and real estate values will most definitely return. Since real estate is a lagging indicator of economics, the pace or timing of the real estate recovery will depend on the pace of our overall economic recovery. I do believe our overall economy is recovering albeit somewhat artificially stimulated. Value creation in real estate is caused by demand for space measured against the existing supply. Our supply chain of space stopped in late 2007 while demand has slowed but not stopped. Population is still increasing in the U.S. and that means more people will need to occupy space. National Retailers haven’t stopped growing. They have merely slowed their growth. Eventually the existing inventory of space will become occupied (just as we witness inventories being depleted in general manufacturing) and equilibrium will return.

What are some stand-out topics from this week’s Integra Real Estate Conference at the KC Convention Center?

Our nationally recognized economist Bob White will address the economics from his perspective at the conference. Other things you will learn from experts is that costs of construction are lower now than we’ve seen in years. You also will hear from people who are getting projects financed in this financial climate and how they are doing it. You will also find out what product types have already met equilibrium and the new product being built to meet the excess demand. Another topic that will be discussed by a panel of leading real estate counsel is the result of a highly restricted capital market at a time when the real estate developer/investor truly needs capital. The federal government’s over regulation of real estate lending is forcing respectable projects to elect into Chapter 11 bankruptcy. This is a particularly timely topic as we face a very tenuous capital restricted market in 2010.

What exciting things are going on these days at the real estate center at UMKC?

The real estate program at the Lewis White Real Estate Center is rapidly gaining momentum. The new dean, Teng Kee Tan, has a vision of making the Bloch School of Business one of the premier business schools in the country. Dean Tan has directed us to develop an Executive Masters in Real Estate Venture program for the experienced commercial real estate professional. The curriculum is in its final development stages and the proper approval processes are being pursued to have this available by August, 2011. The program will include Financial Modeling for Real Estate, Market Analysis and Feasibility Study, Appraisal Processes, Property Management, Entrepreneurial Real Estate, Commercial Real Estate Brokerage, Construction Management, Urban Planning, Corporate Real Estate, and a Global Real Estate Course that includes travel to several foreign countries wherein you will meet with real estate professionals from each country and exchange business cards and best practice ideas. This will truly be the most advanced real estate degree in the country.

You’re coming off the Integra Conference, where the net proceeds go to support your center. On the personal side, what do you do to unwind?

I have been winding down my real estate development activities, and trying to find more time to spend with our nine grandchildren. My wife and I enjoy bicycling and travel when time allows.

Developers Diversified Realty (DDR) has appointed Kansas City-based LANE4 Property Group, Inc. to lease Merriam Village in Merriam.  LANE4 will immediately begin a leasing program focused on the Center’s available retail space and development parcels.

“LANE4 is pleased to be associated with an international owner and manager of shopping centers with significant holdings in Kansas City,” said LANE4 Senior Vice-President, Jeff Berg (above).  “DDR is the sole owner and operator of Merriam Village and is ready to aggressively move forward with leasing and sales activities.”

Merriam Village currently has 53,182 square feet of built and available space for lease, along with 16 acres of ground parcels available for future development. 

 “The project (below) is located on some of the most valuable commercial real estate in the metro area.  Merriam Village has everything retailers desire in a regional shopping center, including a community with a strong, dense population and excellent visibility from Interstate 35, Kansas City’s highest traffic corridor,” said Tom O’Leary (above), LANE4’s Senior Vice-President.

DDR selected LANE4 based in part on the strong, professional relationships forged from previous commercial transactions.  Berg adds, “We are proud to be one of the first third-party leasing firms DDR is working with in the region.”  LANE4 Property Group specializes in project leasing, tenant representation, development and property management of retail, office, hospitality and mixed-use projects throughout the United States including The Trails in Kansas City, The Village and Corinth Square in Prairie Village, Briarcliff Village in Kansas City, One Kellogg Place in Wichita, The Shoppes at Market Pointe in Papillion, Neb., and Tiffany Springs MarketCenter in Kansas City. Developers Diversified owns and manages about 665 retail operating and development properties in 44 states, Brazil, Canada and Puerto Rico. Totaling more than 147 million square feet, the company’s shopping center portfolio features open-air, value-oriented neighborhood and community centers, mixed-use centers, and lifestyle centers located in prime markets with stable populations and high-growth potential. Developers Diversified is a self-administered and self-managed REIT operating as a fully integrated real estate company. 

MainCor spreads the word about progress on Main Street

Keith Baker, CCIM, has been a commercial real estate agent in the Kansas City area since 1985. At CB Richard Ellis just east of the Country Club Plaza at 47th and Grand, he specializes in representing tenants/landlords and buyers/sellers of office and medical office properties. In 2009, he was the top producer in the office.

Currently, he markets space for the Creekwood and North Oak professional office parks and is also the lead broker for the Tuileries and New Longview mixed use new urbanism developments. He has also recently worked on site selection assignments for Bank of Oklahoma, Diagnostic Imaging and Sabates Eye Centers, and is currently working on a 100,000-square-foot site selection project for a large financial services organization. ther experience includes repositioning a Topeka company headquarters building into a speculative multi-tenant office building. It was leased to 98%, and then sold to a Topeka based investor. Keith has also developed a 20,000 square foot headquarters office building for a technology company in the Southlake Technology Park located in Lenexa.

How did you begin your real estate career?

I started in the commercial real estate business in 1985 and was hired by Jones & Company Realtors, the developers and joint venture partners of the Corporate Woods Business Park. J & C was purchased by Koll Real Estate Services out of Newport Beach, Calif., in 1995 and then the brokerage and property management divisions of Koll were purchased by CB Richard Ellis in 1998.

You were the top producer last year. How did that happen?

As one of the top producers in the office this year, I was fortunate to have several transactions close that had been in process in 2008. I partnered with Mike Lanning, CPM, a 20-year veteran with CBRE that moved from property management to brokerage and we have been working well together on both the landlord and tenant sides of the business. My experience with production and his with property management gives us a nice blend and the ability to talk on many levels with existing and potential customers.

What types of deals did you close?

Our year included several large transactions at the Summit Technology Campus in Lee’s Summit. Mike and I worked on behalf of Truman Medical Center to terminate their large remaining lease obligation to make way for an existing tenant to expand their premises into 117,000 square feet coupled with a long lease extension. Also at STC we negotiated a new 40,000-square-foot lease with Waddell and Reed, a large local financial institution. On the medical side, we worked on a number of leases including a lease extension for a surgery center in the Creekwood Professional Park in the Northland. We finished up the year with a tenant rep assignment for a large local medical firm that relocated their corporate offices into the 7101 College Boulevard building. Another line of business for us is the General Services Administration Region 5 lease requirements. CBRE is one of three national service providers for the GSA and Mike and I work on that account here locally. As the largest consumer of space in most metro areas, the government has a significant impact on the health of our industry. The GSA is very tuned in to the commercial real estate culture in KC and does a great job representing well over 100 federal agencies.

Tell me about a behind the scenes deal, how did you make it happen?

Probably the most challenging and rewarding part of the year was the first quarter of 2009. Negotiating the termination of the Truman lease and the expansion of the 117,000 tenant had a lot of twists and turns that truly tested us for over a year. It required us to be part of many technology meetings with KCP&L which will be expanding the electrical infrastructure to STC beyond the project’s already heavy capacity. Trying to negotiate with two large companies to time a termination with a new lease commencement required patience and the ability to deal with many personalities and in the end a landlord/owner that believed in what we were trying to accomplish.

 What made you job exciting last year, and what were the biggest challenges?

 As challenging as this business has been over the last couple of years, I’m really looking forward to 2010. CBRE provides many opportunities, resources and platforms that we can tap into which are very helpful regardless of where we are in the economic cycle. Locally we have some incredibly talented people in our office across all service lines. As our business has become much more about long term customer service rather than the “one and done” service mentality, nationally the CBRE business model is to continually look for ways to integrate services that help us meet a variety of customer needs. Finally, deals don’t get done without the hard work of our peers in this city. I would like to thank everyone that I have worked with this last year and look forward to our opportunities in 2010.

What are your outside interests?

 My hobbies include coaching my two daughter’s in softball and basketball. Coaching has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. Watching the kids (and the parents) progress through a season is such a treat and when hard work turns into success individually and as a team – there just isn’t anything much better than that! I am also a veteran “dance dad”. For those of you who have daughters in dance, you know what I mean! I enjoy golf, am getting back into tennis and a couple of times a year participate in autocross events. Another passion as a KU alumnus is enjoying watching Bill Self coach basketball and the teams he puts on the floor.