In This Issue
New Sponsors Support the Real Estate Center
Annual Real Estate Center and Chaddick Institute Conference
Alumni Group Annual Casino Night
Brining Business to the Classroom
New Sponsors Support the Real Estate Center



Supera Asset Management, a third-generation family-owned company, recently signed on as a Sustaining Sponsor of the Real Estate Center.  No strangers to real estate, Supera has been purchasing, renovating and developing residential buildings in Chicago since the 1940's and had a major impact on rejuvenating Lincoln Park as one of the most sought after neighborhoods in the city.  Supera's principal, Michael Supera, is a DePaul alum and works with his son, John, to develop new investments and opportunities in the marketplace.  



In addition, MB Financial Bank, N.A. has partnered with the Real Estate Center as a Contributing Sponsor.  Jason Costello, Senior Vice President at MB Financial will represent the bank in this capacity.  With nearly $15 billion in assets, MB Financial, Inc. (NASDAQ: MBFI) is the Chicago-based holding company for MB Financial Bank, N.A. headquartered in Chicago.  MB offers a full range of powerful financial solutions and the expertise and experience of bankers who focus on their clients' success.  Mr. Costello's industry knowledge will be a valuable resource for students, faculty and fellow sponsors.



The Real Estate Center and the Executive Committee welcome the addition of Supera Asset Management and MB Financial to the team.

Annual Real Estate Center and Chaddick Institute Conference







The Real Estate Center and Chaddick Institute joined forces to bring leading experts together for a discussion on the latest trends in linear parks and greenways.



Paul Morris, President and CEO of Atlanta BeltLine Inc. (ABI), opened the program with a keynote address on the development of the urban project known as the Atlanta BeltLine and the impact it has made on lifestyle, economic development and affordable workforce housing.







The Atlanta BeltLine is transforming the city with a combination of rail, trail, greenspace, housing and art. It will ultimately connect 45 intown neighborhoods, provide first and last mile connectivity for regional transportation initiatives, and put Atlanta on a path to 21st century economic growth and sustainability. 



The BeltLine is creating a culture shift in Atlanta by giving people options for healthier lifestyles, alternative commutes, and more localized living, and this approach leads to a better quality of life for the city, its residents, and its visitors.  It is in the heart of the Atlanta region; connects many of Atlanta's cultural landmarks and institutional destinations and connects four historic abandoned freight rail rights of way encircling the center of town.



In addition, it unites 45 neighborhoods with 22% of the city's population living in the planning area.  19% of the city's land mass is inside the mile-wide 15,000 acre planning area with 6,500 acres in a tax allocation district (TAD).



A project of this magnitude requires a unique organizational structure.  There are two main entities driving the Atlanta BeltLine's progress. The first is Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. (ABI), formed in 2006 by Invest Atlanta as a Georgia nonprofit organization for the purpose of managing the implementation of the Atlanta BeltLine program.  ABI works with Atlanta BeltLine Partnership, formed in 2005 and funded by the private sector to raise capital, awareness and broad-based support for the Atlanta BeltLine.  It accomplishes this through programs such as: free guided tours, free fitness programs, the Atlanta BeltLine Running Series and the Atlanta BeltLine Speakers Bureau and Ambassadors, et al.



Morris also touched on the economic development that is a direct result of the redevelopment:

*    $2.4 billion in new private investment in the planning area since 2006

*    1,960,000 million of new commercial square footage

*    ~ $868 million in TAD development

*    ~ $760 million in Eastside Trail residential development



In addition, private investment is following public investment with over 110 projects complete or underway within Planning Area* valued at over $2.4 billion; 13,369 new residential units completed; 1,960,000 SF of new commercial space completed for a roughly 6:1 ROI to date.



Affordable workforce housing has been a critical consideration throughout the planning process.  An $8.8 million Trust Fund has been established to provide down payment assistance, create incentives for developers and acquire property sites for affordable housing.  To date, ABI and Invest Atlanta have created nearly 1000 affordable units.



A panel discussion followed Morris' keynote address and opened with introductory presentations from the following panelists:



Steve Buchtel, Executive Director of Trails for Illinois, gave an overview of the importance of preserving and developing the intricate Illinois trail system featuring over 300 miles of connected pathways in the region.  Some practices include simple branding to connect cities/towns to trails and exploring ways to ensure funding exists to maintain the trails over time.  







Rebecca Leonard, Principal & President of Design Workshop, provided some background on the planning process and implementation of the Lafitte Greenway project in New Orleans which is a three mile trail surrounded by nine working class neighborhoods.  Prior to development, this area was a filled in railroad and industrial corridor. 







Jamie Simone, Program Director for Chicago Urban Parks at the Trust for Public Land, talked about her role in the development of the Friends of Bloomingdale Trail (also known as the 606) in Chicago including the importance of public and private partnerships, listening to the concerns of the community and integrating arts and culture into the plan.



A lively Q & A with the panelists and keynote speaker closed the conference.







View more event photos here.

Alumni Group Annual Casino Night



The DePaul Real Estate Alumni Alliance (DREAA) fosters an environment that helps recent and seasoned alums make lasting industry connections and build their professional network. 



DREAA's latest event was the fourth annual Casino Night and Poker Tournament on November 12 at 190 S. LaSalle in the Library room.  The success of this networking event allows DREAA to contribute to academic scholarships for real estate students.  Last year, DREAA contributed $5,000 to the Susanne Ethridge Cannon Endowed Scholarship Fund. 











 View more event photos here.

Bringing Business to the Classroom



The Real Estate Center add value to classroom exercises by inviting real estate professionals to guest lecture in class.  Their participation lends depth and perspective to class discussion, and students gain the extra benefit of learning from practitioners.







Nestor Eliadis
, Director of Real Estate Capital Markets at Walgreens Co. visited as a guest lecturer in Dr. Wurtzebach's Real Estate 530, Real Estate Investment and Finance class on October 20, 2015. Having earned his MBA in Real Estate Finance and Investment from DePaul in 2009, he is currently accountable for improving and optimizing the value of Walgreens' real estate portfolio. His comments focused on how Walgreens as a tenant evaluates lease rollovers at the individual property and more importantly, the portfolio level.











Peter Levavi
, Senior Vice President at Brinshore Development, was a guest lecturer in our Multifamily Housing Policy and Finance class on September 30th and October 7th discussing his extensive experience as a developer of affordable housing. Mr. Levavi is a licensed attorney with a masters degree in public policy and has had a long career as a developer, attorney, broker and professor of finance and public policy.









JoAnn McGuinness
, Executive Vice President of Inland Real Estate Investment Corporation and Director of Inland Real Estate Income Trust guest lectured in Professor Wurtzebach's Real Estate 530 class on Tuesday evening November 3, 2015. Ms. McGuinness discussed a wide range of real estate investment topics including, non-traded REITs, 1031 Exchanges and Private Placement vehicles. In addition, she reviewed current investment demand and attractiveness of grocery anchored retail and apartment properties. Special focus was directed on the current relationship between supply and demand and how that interaction affects pricing.

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You no longer have to wait for our monthly newsletter to be up to date with the Real Estate Center.  The Real Estate Center has recently joined the social networking movement on both Facebook and LinkedIn.  Join these groups to receive up to the minute information about the Real Estate Center. 

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Sustaining  Sponsors
Endowment Donors
Douglas & Cynthia Crocker
 

Michael J. Horne Education & Healthcare Assistance Foundation
 

Kenneth McHugh Endowment Fund



George L. Ruff



Robert & Howard Weitzman Endowed Scholarship



Charles H. Wurtzebach & Susan M. Marshall  
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