Megan Rogers recently had the opportunity to talk with developer Johnny Opara, President and CEO of JO Cos., a real estate development company in the Twin Cities that specializes in developing high-quality, affordable multifamily housing. Johnny took an unusual path to starting JO Cos and his career as a developer but as a
Bisnow’s Twin Cities Multifamily Market Overview with Bill Griffith
On February 1st, the Federal Reserve raised interest rates by another quarter-point. This first rate hike of 2023 follows seven interest rate hikes in 2022. With the rising interest rates in mind, Bill Griffith sat down with a panel of real estate and construction industry leaders last fall at Bisnow’s Twin Cities Multifamily Market…
Listen to Bisnow’s Twin Cities State of the Market Recap With Jake Steen on The Larkin Hoffman Real Estate Podcast
In the second episode of the Larkin Hoffman Real Estate Podcast series, I had an opportunity to wrap up a recent Bisnow panel I moderated at Bisnow’s Twin Cities State of the Market event held in Minneapolis in late August. The panel covered the trends, opportunities and forecasted growth of the Twin Cities…
Introducing The Larkin Hoffman Real Estate Podcast
Interested in hearing from real estate and construction industry leaders in the Minnesota market? Looking for insight and commentary on the state of local real estate projects and planning? Larkin Hoffman is pleased to announce a new Larkin Hoffman Real Estate Podcast series where we will share insights and commentary from industry leaders in our…
Building the RBC Gateway: Interview with Bill Katter, President of United Properties Development
I recently had the opportunity to sit down with Bill Katter, President of United Properties Development, in the firm’s new offices located in the RBC Gateway, a building he developed. The 37-story tower sits on a key block linking the downtown Minneapolis core with the bustling North Loop neighborhood and providing tenants with commanding…
Finding the Future: “Getting to Yes” Interview with Karla Henderson
Last year, the City of Bloomington Minnesota hired Karla Henderson to help steer the city’s redevelopment as Director of Community Development. She is well qualified for the job since she served in Detroit Mayor Dave Bing’s inner circle and brings a wealth of experience turning around neighborhoods to her new job in Minnesota.
Early…
Learning Lessons From Permaculture: Interview With Rony Lec, Founder of IMAP
On a trip to Guatemala, a friend introduced me to a unique outdoor classroom, a learning lab of sorts, for those interested in sustainable agriculture. It’s located on the shores of Lake Atitlan, a beautiful volcanic lake in the central highlands.
IMAP https://imapermaculture.org/ is short for the Mesoamerican Permaculture Institute and was founded by…
Project Labor Agreements are Now Required for Large Federal Construction Projects
Last week, I wrote a blog post predicting that President Biden may be requiring project labor agreements (PLAs) on projects funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Acts, effective November 15, 2021 (link here). That prediction has now become reality.
On Friday, February 4, 2022, President Joe Biden signed Executive Order 14063 (EO…
Project Labor Agreements and Government Funded Infrastructure Projects: What You Need to Know Now
Update: On February 4, 2022, President Joe Biden signed an Executive Order requiring the use of PLAs on federal construction projects for which the total estimated cost is $35 million or more.
As many construction contractors are aware, the new Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, effective on November 15, 2021, includes significant monies for transportation,…
Mind the Gaps Redux
Some time ago I posted about minding the gaps that can happen where the world of common law contracts meets Article 2 of the Uniform Commercial Code (“UCC”). I see the same issues repeating in my work recently so it is time to revisit this topic.
The interface between common law contracts and Article 2…