Issue Spotlight – “Candidate” Update

As of Monday August 15^th, WE HAVE A LIST! There is still an opportunity for changes and feedback over the next couple of months (and go before the full roundtable for a vote), but here is where we stand as of today.

Atlanta:  BeltLine, likely streetcars, consists of several sections, $600 million

Cherokee County:  Widening Ga. 140 (Hickory Flat Highway), $190 million    

Clayton County:  Turning Tara Boulevard into a “super arterial,” $130 million

Cobb County:  Atlanta to Cumberland, possibly light rail, $856.5 million

DeKalb County:  Clifton Corridor MARTA route to Emory University, $700 million

Douglas County:  Widening Lee Road/South Sweetwater Road from I‐20 West to U.S. 78, $18.9 million

Fayette County:  Widening Ga. 85 from Bernhard Road to Grady Avenue, $24 million

Fulton County:  Improvements for the interchange of I-285 at Ga. 400, $172.5 million

Gwinnett County:  Sugarloaf Parkway extension from Ga. 316 to Ga. 20 (Buford Drive), $296 million

Henry County:  Widening North McDonough Road from Bill Gardner Parkway to Racetrack Road, $48 million

Rockdale County: Widening and improvements for Sigman Road from Lester Road to Dogwood Connector, $30 million

Check out this article on the AJC’s website for more information on the $6.14 billion list, and other potential projects coming to our city!

Photo credits: AECOM and Forever I Love Atlanta

Now Accepting Applications for the YLG Mentor Program

The ULI Young Leaders Group Mentor Program 2011 season is about to kickoff, and all YLG Members are invited to participate!  The program is offered at no cost to you, requires attendance at a kickoff social and a closing breakfast, and is as valuable as you make it.  Like anything of value, supply is limited, so we urge you to apply now – only twenty of the most deserving ULI Young Leaders will be offered this opportunity!

The pool of this year’s mentors include some of our regions most prominent leaders in areas ranging from retail, design and planning, finance, law, development and construction to name a few.  They have graciously committed their time, experience, and expertise to help you make the most of your career. 

Applications for the 2011 season of the ULI Mentor Program are due on Friday, August 26, 2011 at 5:00 pm sharp.  We are excited about sparking a new round of meaningful relationships and look forward to receiving your application!  Apply now!

Historic Fourth Ward

In mid-June two significant parks along the Atlanta Beltline officially opened, the Historic Fourth Ward Park and Historic Fourth Ward Skate Park . The 17.6 acre park is not just a park, but part of a larger stormwater management solution also serving as a detention pond.

For many the skate park has been a long time in coming, and was finally made possible through a range of funding sources.  (One noteworthy grant coming from Tony Hawk’s foundation.) The skateboarding legend even made an appearance at the opening.

As temps cool down this fall spend some time in one of these two NEW parks!

 

Photo Credit: Creative Loafing

Young Leader Spotlight – John Rhodes

Position/ Company:  Project Manager – Foresite Group

Education:  Georgia Institute of Technology – BS Civil Engineering.  Currently enrolled part-time in the Georgia Institute of Technology – Masters of City & Regional Planning Program.

Why I joined ULI:  I actually fell into ULI, I did not have much knowledge about the organization prior to starting my masters degree.  During my first semester in the masters program I participated in the UrbanPlan program and my group won the competition.  The prize was a year’s free membership to ULI….therefore I have been involved to some extent since 2007.

What issue is ULI tackling that is of particular importance to you?
Today’s economic challenges and how we move forward to a sustained recovery in our industry.

How do you like to spend your time outside of work + ULI?
I catch up with the family that I have in the area on a regular basis.  I am currently enrolled in the Masters of City and Regional Planning Program at Georgia Tech.  I play soccer in a clubsport league here in Atlanta.
I recently purchased my first home that I am currently working to improve.

What is your background?
I was born in Atlanta.  Roswell was home until I purchased my house in the Chamblee area.  My Dad is a CPA while my Mom is a registered nurse.  My twin brother and I are the oldest of five children (Three boys, two girls).

How did you get started in this business?
After graduating from Georgia Tech with a Civil Engineering Degree I started with Foresite Group, Inc., a land development firm, in Norcross and have been working in the industry ever since.

Any favorite movies, books, hobbies that you would like to share?
Scientific American (Magazine),  Lone Survivor (Book),  Studying new languages (Hobby).

Are you involved in any community outreach?
Due to my schedule with work and school I have not been able to restart my community activities, however, I have volunteered for Saint Joseph’s Hospital, North Fulton Charities, etc…. in the past.

Any pet peeves?
Not having enough time to do all the things I want to accomplish each day.

How long have you worked at Foresite Group? 
Six years, I started at Foresite Group on June 6^th, 2005.

What is your favorite thing about your job?
The people I get to work with, both inside and outside the company, as well as the fact that I get to work on a wide range of projects.

YLG: Learn from the Best – Jim Meyer

By Taylor Smith

Our Learn from the Best events keep getting better.  Jim Meyer, Managing Director and Atlanta Regional Head of Tishman Speyer, came to speak to us on June 16th.  Jim has over 25 years of development experience in Atlanta and has developed many notable projects in the city, including: Two Alliance Center, One Alliance Center, One Atlantic Center, Centergy Plaza, 171 17th St, Equifax HQ building, the Atlanta Federal Center (the old Rich’s department store) and even a jail!  He’s gone from a public company to starting his own small shop and back to a large, private, international firm.  Every stop influenced his career and taught him valuable lessons.  Jim regaled us with stories from many of his projects and left us with a few lessons learned:

1. When you’re young “work your butt off”
2.  Seek out and heed good counsel
3. Embrace your chance when it comes.  Every success takes a little luck, but you have to be ready for it (Jim was just 29 at Prentiss Properties when he took over project management for One Atlantic Center to fill a recent vacancy)
4.  Take time to build experience and networks
5.  Don’t fear taking a well-calculated risk (like starting your own company).  You’ll be surprised by how many people will support you

Participation from the attendees was great and made the meeting.  It was one of our most interactive LFTB events to date.  Jim even surprised a good many of us by throwing around a few questions of his own.  If you want the chance to sit around the table (literally) with 20 colleagues and chat with some of the city’s commercial real estate leaders, I encourage you to come out next time.  We want to thank Jim for sharing his time and experiences with us, but most of all for opening up to the group and making such a great event.

Photos by Duane Stork Photography

 

YLG: LEARN FROM THE BEST: ROMEO de LEON

Memorial Day, the unofficial kick-off for summer, is right around the corner. Just like back in our school days, we would like to provide you with a summer reading list courtesy of Romeo deLeon of Terracon Consulting.

Romeo spoke as part of the exclusive Learn From The Best Series hosted by the Young Leaders Group on Wednesday, May 11th.  Romeo is a Professional Engineer in the geotechnical discipline who began his career as a project engineer and has progressed to one of the company’s most valued business development professionals.

Romeo shared lessons about expanding your network, client keeping, and building long term relationships. One of the rules he lives by is the 80/20 rule: eighty percent of your work should come from existing clients while twenty percent of your work should come from new clients.

Throughout the talk Romeo recommended reading the following books to the attendees (aka YOUR summer reading list):

• The Heart and Art of Netweaving – Robert S. Littell.
• The I HATE Selling Book – Allan S. Boress.
• The Trusted Advisor – Ford Harding.
• Creating Rainmakers – Ford Harding.
• Team Players and Teamwork – Glenn Parker

The YLG would like to thank Romeo for sharing his time + expertise with the ULI YLG.

The next event in the Learn From The Best Series is currently slated for June, 15th, 2011.  We look forward to seeing you there!

ULI YLG: History Spotlight

UNDERGROUND ATLANTA

In March the team of Forest City, Cousins Properties, and the Integral Group was selected to transform downtown through the development of the MMPT project. As the team begins work on the project, this week we are taking a look back at another significant project in downtown – Underground Atlanta.

In 1989, the New York Times ran the following article about the opening. It goes to show that projects bringing progress always seem to meet opposition along the way.

Underground Atlanta Opens Despite Jeers: Associated Press

Hecklers and a last-minute lawsuit failed today to stop the opening of Underground Atlanta, a $142 million complex of shops, restaurants and clubs intended to lure people back to downtown Atlanta.

Mayor Andrew Young’s speech was drowned out by advocates of the homeless, who blew whistles and chanted, ”Atlanta keeps the homeless underground.” The police said six protesters were moved, but they were not immediately charged.

The Mayor began to defend the city’s record on the homeless, but when the heckling continued, he gave up trying to speak. The number of demonstrators was unclear because they were scattered throughout the crowd.

Earlier today, a judge refused to block the developers from calling the project Underground Atlanta, ruling against a company called Underground Atlanta Inc., which contends it holds the rights to the name.

The original Underground Atlanta opened in the city’s viaducts in 1969 but closed in 1982 because of the perception that it was riddled with crime. The new version, resulting from a three-year overhaul by the Rouse Company, is at the original site but is three times larger. It offers 22 restaurants and clubs and nearly 100 retailers.

Photo Credit: Georgia.org

ULI YLG: Issue Spotlight

The Future of Regional Transportation

In August of 2012 voters in the Metro Atlanta region will be asked to make a decision about the funding for future transportation. Passage of HB277 would result in a one percent sales tax dedicated to transportation improvements.

This past week the Atlanta Journal Constitution launched an eight-day series of articles about HB277.

http://www.ajc.com/news/georgia-politics-elections/atlanta-at-heart-of-953457.html

The YLG encourages everyone to educate themselves about this bill. (ULI Atlanta actually hosted an Infrastructure Summit this past week where HB277 was a hot topic.) For Metro Atlanta to remain a vibrant + growing region, transportation (road + rail) projects need funding and implementation.

Do you have questions about the bill or other transportation / infrastructure issues? Please reach out to the YLG and we will help find the answers. We can all be part of the solution.

Young Leader Spotlight: Jennifer Russell

Meet Jennifer Russell! After graduating from the University of Denver, this metro Atlanta native moved backed home to begin her career. When she isn’t busy at her day job as the marketing administrator for Fortis Engineering Solution, Jennifer is actively involved in ULI. Recently Jennifer was kind enough to spend time on some Q+A for our readers about her life here and what she enjoys most about ULI.

What led you to pursue your career path?

My love for art is equally met by my passion for business. After taking business classes, I was hooked. Marketing just seemed like the natural tie between business and art. I was fortunate enough to be hired by Fortis right after graduating, where I help with the marketing of three different associated companies. It has been a great opportunity to learn while contributing to the collective companies’ goals.

How did you decide to get involved in ULI as a young leader?

I had been to a few ULI events before becoming a member, but I realized I wanted to be part of the Young Leaders Program during Clean-up the Community at Old Fourth Ward. Of course, it was a great way to give back to the community, but mostly it was a way to plug into a unique group. This is when I discovered ULI was not just a place to learn about our industry, it is also a place to have fun and socialize with young like-minded professionals.

What issue is ULI tackling that is of particular importance to you?

ULI’s interest in improving the infrastructure in Atlanta is of particular importance to me. Atlanta is such an amazing place to live, but we could really improve the quality of life in our city if we could solve our transportation issues. It seems to me that public transportation should bring us together, not divide us. I experienced in Denver, first hand, how quality transportation enhances a community.

What would you tell others wanting to get involved as a young leader?

I say do it! It is important to invest in your industry and to give back to the community. Young Leaders is a great vehicle for accomplishing both. Not to mention it is a great way to meet people, even if it is just at a Young Leaders Happy Hour.

How do you like to spend your time outside of work + ULI?

I love creating art. While usually my medium is Acrylic paints, I will take whatever I can get my hands on, and sometimes that results in using just a pen and the top of a to-go box.  Also, going to school in Colorado sealed my love for snowboarding!

EDGEWOOD CORRIDOR

Over the last five years the Edgewood corridor has quietly become one of the hippest places to hang out in Atlanta. Ellen Mendelsohn, Vice President of Economic Development for CAP, says “The Edgewood Corridor is entrepreneurship at its best.  The small business owners have opened inventive restaurants and nightspots in historic structures along an easily walkable street, attracting the most diverse clientele from across theregion.”

It is a favorite area for many YLG members, and for those of you who haven’t checked it out you should. The corridor links Downtown, Inman Park, Old Fourth Ward (and the nearby MLK Historic District) through a series of small businesses, convenience retail, bars + restaurants. April Ashby + Stephanie Espy recently enjoyed their birthday dinner with girlfriends at Café Circa. They choose the corridor because “Cafe Circa has great food and a wonderful ambience. It is in one of the few locations in Atlanta where you can walk around and visit other late night establishments such as Soundtable, as a young professional.”

For more information on Edgewood Corridor (including its history + development), check out this link to an article in Creative Loafing. http://clatl.com/atlanta/atlanta-nightlife-gold/Content?oid=1430445

Or, even better, experience it for yourself… there is a hidden treasure on every block.