Rod is a real estate strategist specializing in urban and economic revitalization. His clients are cities, universities, ports, and other anchor institutions that need to draw new business and investment. He has particular expertise in downtown revitalization and next-generation work districts.
How I Work
Bold Ideas, Remarkable Results.
Rod is an MBA, not a planner or economist. He uses his business knowledge to accelerate development. Rod starts by taking time to understand your most important goals, which helps identify development options that other consultants, in their rush to get started, may overlook. He also does a deep dive on your organization’s distinctive assets and identity, your competitive advantage. He then reaches out to industry to learn today’s business needs. Rather than a thick report filled with statistics, you get a competitive strategy that identifies your customers, how to position your project against competitors, the features to program into it, core marketing messages, and the most important steps to realize development over the next six, 12, and 36 months.
Success Stories
While other consultants boast about the number of reports they have written, Rod creates results on the ground. He accelerates development, getting projects going in months, not years. All five innovation districts he has worked are built or have signed deals. What’s different is that Rod thinks like a developer and plans for where the market is going, not where it has been. His bold ideas get remarkable results because his strategy ties the strength of your organization and distinctive property characteristics to what the market values. Here are some of his noteworthy successes:
San Leandro, California
Breathing New Life Into An Industrial City
Once a thriving Bay Area industrial center, San Leandro had fallen into a slump, losing companies left and right. What disheartened civic leaders failed to grasp was that the city—even in its darkest days—still possessed the seeds of greatness. I knocked on doors and made discoveries. When I showed the City Council logos of 50 innovative local companies operating under the radar, a collective “We’ve still got it!” jolt of energy ran through the room. City staff used my slogan and strategy, “We Make Things” to fill more than 300,000 square feet in an old Dodge plant and Kellogg cereal factory—with companies brewing beer and designing high-tech products. Today, San Leandro is stealing life science startups from Berkeley.
Kenmore, Washington
A New “Town Green”
Newly incorporated Kenmore had been struggling for more than a decade to create an identifiable town center and welcoming place for residents to gather. After talking with dozens of brokers, developers, and residents, I collaborated with City Manager Rob Karlinsey to reimagine an old shopping center site. We took the project to market, drew 12 enthusiastic bidders, and within five years developers had completed $100 million in new apartments, offices, and medical and restaurant space. Meantime the city used sale proceeds to build a park and indoor winter garden with a coffee shop, fireplace, and meeting rooms that draws residents year-round.
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Industry Comes Up the Hill
For 60 years, this college town in the Research Triangle sat by quietly while the jobs grew up elsewhere. I worked with leaders from town and gown on a strategy to bring the “skunkworks” of major companies downtown and within easy walking distance of UNC. The University’s tech incubator now anchors a newly-renovated office tower, the Town of Chapel Hill will soon finish a $50 million parking garage, and developers backed by international investors are seeking to build 300,000 square feet of lab space.
Let’s Connect
Working Together
Development can be complex and confusing, and a talented, hardworking guide can make all the difference. For nearly 40 years, I have worked with private investors and board room-level decision makers on the strategic use of their real estate. I know how to lead clients through both decision-making and execution. You probably have a lot more options for your property than you realize. Call today to discuss your goals and effective ways of moving forward.
