2009 Urban Marketplace - At a Crossroads: New Paradigms, New Possibilities
Urban Marketplace 2009 took place in May at the Westin Hotel at Reynolds Crossing. The successful event drew speakers not only from the Richmond region, but nationally. The hundreds of attendees represented the public, private, and non-profit sectors of real estate development. This allowed convening stakeholders to meet, share experiences and best practices, and lay a foundation for future collaborative efforts.
With the theme, At a Crossroads: New Paradigms, New Possibilities, Urban Marketplace 2009 kicked off with keynote speaker Richard Baron, McCormack Baron Salazar, speaking to the crowd about the future of revitalization in urban communities.
Following Richard Baron's lunch presentation were simultaneous breakout sessions:
New Paradigms in the Future of Urban Redevelopment Policy. Featuring speakers:
- Anthony Scott, Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority
- Costa Canavos, Virginia Housing Development Authority
- Mike Hawkins, Virginia Housing Development Authority
The Role of Transportation and Infrastructure in Stimulating the Economy. Featuring speakers:
- Larry Hagin, Greater Richmond Transit Company
- Chris Lloyd, McGuireWoods
- Nick Donohue, Office of the Secretary of Transportation
- Daniel L. Plaugher, Virginians for High Speed Rail, Moderator
The second set of afternoon breakout sessions were:
Spotlight on Innovative Local Development Deals. Featuring speakers:
- Bob Newman, Better Housing Coalition
- Ron Stallings, Walker Row Partnership
- Tom Wilkinson, Franklin Development Group LLC
- Susan Raher, BB&T, Moderator
The Future of Community Development Policy. Featuring speakers:
- John Murphy, Smith Bucklin
- Rachel Flynn, City of Richmond
- Dan Marsh, National Development Council
- John Accordino, Virginia Commonwealth University, Moderator
The half day conference wrapped up with an evening networking and cocktail reception.
The purpose of Urban Marketplace is to promote investment opportunities and development strategies for revitalizing urban and suburban markets, bringing together everyone with an interest in creating strategies for urban and suburban infill development.
About the Keynote Speaker
Richard D. Baron
Co-founder, Chairman and CEO
McCormack Baron Salazar
Richard Baron is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of McCormack Baron Salazar in St. Louis, Missouri, a firm specializing in the development and management of mixed-income communities with an emphasis on large-scale redevelopment projects in central city locations. Since the company began in 1973, it has developed 124 projects in 33 cities with development costs in excess of $1.8 billion which includes more than 13,895 residential units and one million square feet of commercial space. The firm’s management portfolio includes 14,970 residential units.
In October 2004, Richard Baron received The Urban Land Institute J.C. Nichols Prize for Visionaries in Urban Development. The Nichols Prize was established by the Nichols family in 2000 to recognize individuals whose career has demonstrated a commitment to the highest standards of responsible development. Mr. Baron is the fifth recipient of this prestigious award.
Mr. Baron serves on the Executive Committee of the Regional Chamber and Growth Association, and on the Boards of St. Louis Downtown Partnership, Downtown Now!, and The Center of Contemporary Arts (COCA). He is also on the Board of Trustees at St. Louis University. He is a past-board member of John Burroughs School and a past-member of Washington University's George Warren Brown School of Social Work National Council.
He currently is on the Advisory Board for the Center on Urban and Metropolitan Policy of The Brookings Institution, and is an emeritus member of the Board of Trustees for the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Mr. Baron is the founder and developer of The Center of Creative Arts (COCA), in University City, Missouri, a community-based visual and performing arts center that serves more than 50,000 children annually. Mr. Baron currently serves as the co-chairman of the Vashon Education Compact which targets 7 low-performing public schools in the City of St. Louis for major transformation.
Mr. Baron is a graduate of Oberlin College and holds a masters degree in political science from the University of California-Berkeley and a law degree from the University of Michigan. Mr. Baron has been awarded honorary degrees from Oberlin College, Oberlin, Ohio and from St. Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri