Our common view of real estate development is that it occurs in big, expensive chunks – picture large-scale subdivisions and high-rise towers. That scale of enterprise often seems mysterious and expensive. It’s what we imagine the word “developer” to mean.
But there’s another reality to development that is often not discussed or simply overlooked – the small-scale, building-by-building improvements that make up where most of us live and work. Someone builds or renovates a home, a duplex, a 4-plex or a small commercial building. That is essentially the definition of incremental development: city-building in small steps. The owner might be your neighbor, a relative or a local investor. Could it be you?
Incremental development is a way for anyone and everyone to get involved in building and improving their neighborhood. In an incremental approach, no project is too small and because of that, neighborhoods can evolve in a natural, community-led way. Incremental development actually helps neighborhoods become stronger with time by allowing them to mature gradually instead of locking them into boom-and-bust cycles that are common with larger developments.
Through this incremental, open-access approach to development, by slowly adding to neighborhoods we’re adding new energy and activity, helping reveal or “polish” the core value of the existing fabric. “Small” is often the seed that leads to transformation of and reinvestment in neighborhoods that may be considered undesirable.
Savannah Development and Renewal Authority has partnered with the Incremental Development Alliance as well as The Georgia Conservancy and Historic Savannah Foundation to present the Small Real Estate Development Workshop January 10-11, 2017.
The workshop is designed to introduce the principles and implementation mechanisms behind neighborhood based development projects. The workshop offers specialized training about how to create small projects, like 1-3 story buildings with less than 20 units, which are residential, commercial or mixed in use. Presenters at the workshop include developer, Monte Anderson who has spent years “in the trenches” finding ways to redevelop his community into a place where people want to live and work. Also presenting, Eric Kronberg who takes the approach of “placemaking” to development by creating public spaces that promote health, happiness and well-being. This workshop is the first step to becoming a small developer yourself or creating a supportive ecosystem for small development in Savannah.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND THE WORKSHOP?
• Individuals in construction, design, planning or real estate looking to either enhance their current practice or make career transition
• Volunteers or professionals in business associations, main streets associations, historic preservation groups and neighborhood improvement groups looking to champion incremental development in their communities
• Public sector professionals in city management, economic development, planning, and related agencies who are looking to make it easier for small development projects to occur in their town
• Professionals in non-profit development organizations, churches, and community development or housing development organizations who need new strategies for small lot development
• Private banking professionals specializing in mortgages, commercial real estate loans or SBA loans and professionals as at Community Development Financial Institutions and Community Foundations who want to become more effective investors
WHEN
Tuesday, January 10th, 2017
5:00 pm – 7:30 pm: Opening Lecture and Networking Reception
Free and open to the public
Wednesday, January 11th, 2017
9:00 am – 5:30 pm: Small Development Training
WHERE
Bull Street Public Library
2002 Bull St
Savannah, GA 31401
COST
$209 for Regular Registration – Until Friday, January 6
$239 for Walk-In Registration – Tuesday, January 10
All registration payments are final.
Scholarships to attend are available. Email kevink@sdra.net for information.