The Counselors of Real Estate® Consulting Corps has continued delivering strategic real estate guidance to communities across the United States. Throughout the first half of 2024, the Consulting Corps has engaged with various municipalities, non-profit organizations, and other entities to provide actionable recommendations and foster economic development. In the first two quarters of 2024, the Consulting Corps provided guidance to Springfield, Oregon, and the San Antonio Independent School District. Communities implementing Consulting Corps recommendations are achieving positive outcomes including Spokane’s increased housing options – which was recognized by Washington Gov. Jay Inslee with the 2023 Smart Communities Award presented to the City of Spokane for its new middle housing zoning ordinance.
2024 Consulting Corps Assignments
Springfield, Oregon
The City of Springfield, Oregon, sought the expertise of the CRE Consulting Corps to address the redevelopment challenges of the Mohawk Shopping Center. Despite the city's success in revitalizing its downtown and planning the redevelopment of Glenwood, the Mohawk Shopping Center remains underutilized. The Consulting Corps evaluated potential public sector interventions and development options to enhance the district's appeal and functionality. The team recommended strategic public investments and incentives which can attract private investment and help foster a stronger sense of place within the community.
San Antonio, Texas
Project Updates
Update: St. Andrew’s Groundbreaking
St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church has moved forward with its development plans to implement the recommendations provided by the Consulting Corps team. The team was onsite in 2019 to assist the church with a strategic plan that would address future growth of Church membership and accommodate future utilization needs, including a predictable, meaningful cash flow from the real estate that will contribute to the Church’s mission as well as its long-term financial stability.
Update: Peoria Awarded Choice Neighborhoods Planning Grant, Invest Health, and RICS Americas Recognition
The Peoria Housing Authority and City of Peoria received a Choice Neighborhoods Planning Grant of $500,000, which will support comprehensive neighborhood revitalization plans. Additionally, Peoria has been included in the "Invest Health" initiative, supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, aimed at transforming neighborhoods through strategic health and housing improvements. These initiatives build on the work of the Consulting Corps which visited Peoria in 2021.
In further recognition of the team’s work, Randal Dawson, CRE, Peoria Consulting Corps team member, and the Peoria Consulting Corps team were recognized by the RICS Americas Award – 2024 Highly Commended for their outstanding contributions to redevelopment in Peoria.
Update: Huntsville Planning Efforts Shine Greater Attention on the Meridian Corridor
The Consulting Corps visited Huntsville, Alabama, in 2022 to address the Meridian corridor and provide recommendations to encourage redevelopment from downtown Huntsville to Alabama A & M University which would benefit current residents and institutions as well as offer additional amenities and housing opportunities. The Consulting Corps recommendations have been adopted into the City of Huntsville’s Comprehensive Plan. In addition, the City has hired a full-time planner dedicated to the Corridor and, coordinating with Vision Zero, has begun work to identify transportation infrastructure improvements such as intersection upgrades and sidewalk segments to improve connectivity and safety.
Update: Spokane Implements Zoning Change to Increase Housing Options
The Consulting Corps visited Spokane in September, 2021, to address insufficient housing supply. Among other data, the team observed that whereas 70 percent of working families could afford to buy a median priced home in 2016, in 2021, only 15 percent of working families could afford a median priced home. The team recommended: zoning changes to allow for smaller homes, smaller lot sizes, and expedited processes; in addition, the team recommended that the city fill the vacant city planning positions, prioritize affordable housing near jobs, and incentivize the development of product types that support rental options, entry-level housing and “the missing middle.” The team’s report laid the foundation for the city’s Building Opportunity and Choices for All (BOCA) interim ordinance, which put in effect zoning changes—including allowing duplexes, triplexes and fourplexes citywide, townhomes on all residential lots, reduced vehicle parking requirements, and building height increases. Due to the success of the ordinance, permanent code changes were enacted by the city council in late 2023. Washington Gov. Jay Inslee visited Spokane in January to award the city a 2023 Smart Communities Award, recognizing the city's innovative approach to multi-family housing. This award recognized outstanding efforts of local communities to create vibrant and livable communities.
Update: Greensburg Implements Consulting Corps Recommendations
The Consulting Corps visited Greensburg, Pennsylvania, in July 2023 at the request of the City of Greensburg, Greensburg CDC, and Realtors® Association of Westmoreland Indiana and Mon Valley. The team was asked to offer recommendations to help the city create a more vibrant downtown. The City bolstered its marketing, including hiring - implementing recommendations from the team’s report. Other recommendations which have been implemented: repealing a downtown parking ordinance and installing a welcome sign.
Update: Bangs Implements Consulting Corps Recommendations
The small town of Bangs, Texas, requested Consulting Corps assistance to make best use of newly annexed land. In addition to advising on the annexed parcel, the team provided recommendations regarding increasing housing options and revitalizing downtown. The city has begun implementing the recommendations, including increased communications, a new community events subcommittee, and hiring a new code enforcement officer. In addition, the community installed a new billboard.
Update: SSSBC Helps More Seniors Remain Housed
Seniors Services Society of BC (SSSBC) is a nonprofit agency that supports vulnerable older adults (60+) who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. During the 2023 CRE Annual Convention in Vancouver, a volunteer group of Counselors met with SSSBC to provide guidance on real estate related issues via a mini-Consulting Corps engagement. SSSBC CEO Alison Silgardo recently thanked The Counselors for the assistance and shared an update that the SHINE program has received increased attention and recognition, including growing numbers of property owners offering housing for SSSBC clients.
New Housing Solutions Publication Includes the Consulting Corps
Recognizing the need for increased housing options in communities across the country, the National League of Cities and American Planning Association held a series of events, assembled best practices, and developed recommendations – publishing the Housing Supply Accelerator Playbook. The CRE Consulting Corps is featured as a case study in the Playbook on page 60.
Partnerships
Counselors Present to Conference for Catholic Facility Management
In January, the CRE Consulting Corps partnered with the Conference for Catholic Facility Management to host a webinar focused on strategic real estate management for religious facilities. The webinar featured speakers Kathleen Rose, CRE, and Bill Norton, CRE, who shared insights on considering highest and best use, exploring buy-sell-hold decision-making, and aligning real estate strategies with organizational missions. Case studies presented a community growing to meet local needs and parishes consolidating to address shifting demographics.
Transforming Neighborhoods
Through a partnership with the National Association of Realtors®, NAR covers the costs to bring the Consulting Corps to local communities. Local Realtor associations apply for the program in partnership with their public partner. More than a dozen applications were submitted through this competitive process, and four projects were selected to receive strategic real estate guidance in 2024. Another round of projects is anticipated in 2025 – now is the time to identify project ideas and engage with partners to prepare a strong proposal.
WHAT ARE CLIENTS SAYING?
WHAT DO COUNSELORS REPORT ABOUT THE EXPERIENCE?
Thank You to Our Consulting Corps Volunteers!
Thanks to the following Counselors who participated in the Consulting Corps assignments referenced above:
Springfield, Oregon
Eric Swanson, CRE (leader)
San Antonio Independent School District
Jackie Buhn, CRE (leader)
Peoria, Illinois
Wendy Timm, CRE (leader)
St. Andrews Presbyterian Church
Steve Norris, CRE (leader)
Huntsville, Alabama
Casey Kemper, CRE (leader)
Spokane, Washington
Jackie Buhn, CRE (leader)
Greensburg, Pennsylvania
Jackie Buhn, CRE (leader)
Conference for Catholic Facility
Management Presenters