![Kerr-Elsas-Block[1]](http://metrowirekc.com/newsletters/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Kerr-Elsas-Block1-300x225.jpg "Kerr-Elsas-Block[1]")
It was the best of the best who gathered at Plaza III recently for the 2010 Commercial Realtor Awards and Networking Reception, presented by The Realtors Commercial Alliance of the Kansas City Regional Association of Realtors. The group opted for a more casual venue this year to make the evening more laid back and entertaining. Above, Ken Block (with Gene Elsas and Whitney Kerr, Jr.) was the man of the night as he was awarded the Allen J. Block Realtor of the Year Award.
![BrentRoberts_BrianBacon_CohenAward[1]](http://metrowirekc.com/newsletters/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/BrentRoberts_BrianBacon_CohenAward1-300x225.jpg "BrentRoberts_BrianBacon_CohenAward[1]")
Brent Roberts presents Brian Bacon from Colliers Turley Martin Tucker with the Roger L. Cohen Realtor Salesperson of the Year Award.
![Jang-Brooks[1]](http://metrowirekc.com/newsletters/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Jang-Brooks1-300x225.jpg "Jang-Brooks[1]")
Bucky Brooks (above with Jennifer Jang) of First Scout Realty Advisors received the Home Run Award for the Burns & McDonnell Headquarters office lease along with Jay Ruf, also with First Scout. The two received engraved baseball bats in lieu of the usual plaques!
![Hitchcock-Fagan[1]](http://metrowirekc.com/newsletters/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Hitchcock-Fagan1-300x210.jpg "Hitchcock-Fagan[1]")
Jon Hitchcock, RCA-KC’s Commercial Division President, served as the Master of Ceremonies and mingled with guests, including Bob Fagan with CB Richard Ellis. Hitchcock’s humorous presentation included a google search of Ken Block, which turned up several funny items. What was that reference to Burger King anyway?
![NathanAnderson-RussPearson-RookieAward[1]](http://metrowirekc.com/newsletters/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/NathanAnderson-RussPearson-RookieAward1-300x214.jpg "NathanAnderson-RussPearson-RookieAward[1]")
Nathan Anderson presents Russell Pearson, from Harbinger Property Group, with the Realtor Rookie of the Year Award.
KC’s Urban Land Institute chapter welcomes Troy Schulte
Acting City Manager Troy Schulte (above with MainCor executive director Diane Burnette) was the featured guest speaker at the Kansas City District Council of the Urban Land Institute’s Breakfast with Leaders event at the Kauffman Center.
Schulte talked about the city’s budget challenges, and how the city is working with the Kansas City Economic Development Corporation to increase support for retaining existing businesses. Schulte described the city’s ability to support new development projects as “hitting singles and doubles rather than home runs” due to budget limitations. He said strategic investments in infrastructure and innovative activities could enable Kansas City to continue to support private development.
Kevin Honomichl, president of BHC Rhodes, and Walt Clements, director of the Lewis White Real Estate Center at UMKC, attended the breakfast. They enjoyed listening to Schulte say that the City Planning and Development Department is focusing on a review of the development review process, and is encouraging the development community to get involved and share their perspective on how to improve city processes in support of private development.
Pat Daniels with The Land Source, Tim Underwood with Olathe,and Robert McKim, PGAV Architects & Planners, also attended the event along with (pictured below) Wayne Feuerborn with HNTBDan Musser with Zimmer,the ULI District Council Chair, and Marlene Nagelcommunity development director, MARC.
