WENDEL Companies’ Post

Dan Leonard spoke with Buffalo Business First about how the pandemic's aftermath has changed the approach to urban development. Click the link below to read the full article!

Sherman, TX: Big Plans and Bright Futures for 2025! Sherman is booming, and the future looks brighter than ever! This week, Mayor Shawn Teamann shared exciting updates about the city’s record-breaking growth in 2024 and ambitious plans for 2025: 🏗️ Infrastructure Investment: $1.5 billion added to industrial projects, bringing the two-year total to $2.7 billion for roads, construction, and more. 💼 Job Growth: Sherman welcomed 1,100 new jobs and is planning even more for the year ahead. Looking to 2025, Sherman is gearing up to transform its downtown district, with plans to attract more retail and restaurants, creating a vibrant hub for residents and visitors. As new resident Kevin Cavazos put it: "We looked all over — from Forney to Greenville — and settled on Sherman because it has everything we're looking for." With thoughtful planning and bold goals, Sherman is a city on the rise. Now is the time to invest and be part of this exciting future! READ MORE: https://lnkd.in/gqbzaec7 #ShermanTX #BigPlans2025 #EconomicGrowth #RealEstateBoom #JobOpportunities

Yesterday's critical decision session created ripples around the city, sparking conversations on future development plans for the South Side. The movements and steps we see being taken today lay the groundwork for the area's transformation. - Predictions and Consequences Considering the potential scenarios arising from this vote, a central theme emerges: Curb urban sprawl while instilling a sense of rejuvenation in long-neglected parts of the city. If the proposed plan gets the needed approvals, South Side may witness an influx of new and innovative development, which could: • Ignite economic growth via business opportunities • Encourage community inclusivity and diversity • Enhances the lifestyle standards However, in providing forth these developments, one must factor in challenging aspects such as potential gentrification, rising property prices, and strain on public resources that often accompany urban transformations. The city inevitably faces a delicate balancing act of innovation and growth, incorporated with preservation and inclusivity. - Analytical Viewpoint A strategic analysis of these upcoming changes requests an understanding of South Side's historical context. The transformation planned could either lead to an enhanced, vibrant neighborhood that retains its rich history or cause displacement due to high property and living cost. The city’s decision not only shapes the urban landscape but molds the lives of current and future South Side residents. It is equally interesting and essential to witness how local authorities will mitigate gentrification effects such as displacement and a potential higher cost of living. - Concluding Thoughts Whatever the outcome may be, this upcoming decision signifies a crucial moment, paving the way for the South Side’s future. An economically vibrant, diverse, and inclusive South Side will send a clear message – every part of the city matters. As we approach decision-time, let's hope that the path chosen ensures the creation of liveable spaces experiencing the city's cycles of growth and development. Finally, our thoughts remain with the residents of South Side – the true stakeholders behind these changes. They are the ones who will tie together the past and future, stitching together the neighborhood's new narrative as decision-makers redefine its skyline. #SouthSideDevelopment #UrbanPlanning #CityGrowth #InclusiveDevelopment

{MEMBERS NEWS} "A city’s strength and prosperity depend on a strong downtown and city center, which serve as hubs of culture, knowledge, and innovation. The performance of these districts and city centers enhances an entire region’s economic productivity, inclusion, vibrancy, identity, and resilience". The Value of Downtown Study conducted by International Downtown Association showcases the impressive results of the Chicago Loop and demonstrates its importance for the economic and social development of the entire city and surrounding area. Here the full report 👉 https://bit.ly/3AGzMNT

I'm thrilled to announce that my article, "Book Review: The New Urban Crisis by Richard Florida," has been published on Urban Design Lab! 🎉 In this review, I delve into Florida's critical perspectives on urban inequality, economic shifts, and the challenges facing contemporary cities, sparking reflections on how we can create more inclusive urban futures. Check it out here: https://lnkd.in/d2Yp4gEY #UrbanDesign #UrbanPlanning #UrbanInequality #RichardFlorida #BookReview #CityPlanning #TheNewUrbanCrisis

Seattle’s Real Estate Landscape: Growth, Affordability, and Transit Developments Explore how Seattle's expanding Light Rail system aims to ease the city's affordability crisis while raising questions about its impact on property values and homelessness. Read more in this article by Irene Hwang! https://lnkd.in/ey_hv9qZ #NYUSchack #NYUSPS #leadership #Schack #NYUBlueprint 

Had the privilege of attending Portland Business Journal’s 2025 virtual PNW Economic Forecast earlier today. Economic leaders from throughout the Pacific Northwest lead the conversation. Here are some key takeaways that stood out to me: • Amazon’s return to office mandate will prompt other companies to follow. • The return to office mandate will boost the downtown economies of Seattle and Portland. Cities are actually “safer” when employees returned to working out of office. • The United States has more commercial zoning than any other country. With the increase of online businesses in US, we will see more zoning changes to allow for new residential construction aka more housing. • Housing: Local government must lean on the private sector to incentivize building. We can’t fix the housing problem with policy alone. • Portland’s new WNBA team and the potential MLB expansion has local businesses feeling excited. I enjoyed the conversation and left feeling optimistic about Portland’s future. What were your thoughts if you attended virtually? #portland #pnw #portlandbusinessjournal #seattle #realestate #economy #forecast

This week, I had the privilege of attending the Austin-San Antonio Growth Summit, hosted by the Austin Business Journal and the San Antonio Business Journal at the City of New Braunfels Convention Center. Central Texas continues to be one of the fastest-growing regions in the U.S., and City Managers from the following cities gathered to discuss plans for responsible and sustainable growth: City of New Braunfels, TX City of Buda, TX City of Kyle, TX City of Kyle, TX City of San Marcos City of Schertz To underscore this growth, data shows that the City of Kyle, TX has experienced a 9% year-over-year population growth for the past five years—a remarkable indicator of the area's rapid development. Top 3 Challenges & Opportunities Facing These Cities: Housing Affordability: With Austin's median home price currently at $551K, the supply and demand imbalance continues to be a challenge for many surrounding areas. Quality of Life: Cities are investing heavily in “placemaking” projects—such as parks, community spaces, downtown revitalizations, and bike/hike trails—that are designed to foster a sense of community and enhance livability. Traffic & Infrastructure: Every city and county in Central Texas is prioritizing and budgeting for major road improvements, with many going out to bond to fund these critical projects. These challenges are interconnected, each influencing the other. While every city is unique, the common theme is that with growth comes both challenges and opportunities—especially when it comes to building thriving, resilient communities. One thing that will have a positive impact on the interconnectedness of Austin - San Antonio is the Great Springs Project. The Great Springs Project is working to create a greenway of protected lands between Austin and San Antonio over the Edwards Aquifer recharge zone. This green corridor will be connected by a network of spring-to-spring trails, linking the four iconic springs of Central Texas: Barton Springs, San Marcos Springs, Comal Springs, and San Antonio Springs. #CentralTexasGrowth #ABJ #SABJ #design #DLRGroup #GreatSpringsProject #growth

For decades, Western Maryland seemed to be following the path of many other Rust Belt communities with a manufacturing sector that was slowly shrinking. But now, thoughtful planning and pandemic-driven opportunities are creating a new economic landscape.