Register Now for Friday and Saturday evening events!

Program Highlights!
(Saturday Mobile Workshop sold out!)

Friday, April 29

• Program starts at 4 pm with presentation by Director of Planning at Boston Redevelopment Authority – Rebecca Barnes;
• Walking tour of Quincy Market, Faneuil Hall, and part of Rose Kennedy Greenway;
• • Reception at Boston Society of Architects with BSA president BSA Metzger and former BSA president Brian Healy;
• Dinner at Durgin Park with – Director of Economic Development -- Tom Miller.

Saturday, April 30

• Reception hosted by Boston Properties at the Prudential Center;
• Dinner at Turner Fisheries with history of Copley Place development by Norman Elkin and the future of Prudential Center by Boston Properties, Bryan Koop.

The Boston Lambda alpha Chapter under the leadership of its president John Fuller, as developed an outstanding program that focuses on the future of Boston.

“Who Should Attend?” Lambda Alpha Members and guests. Many participants in the Weekend Experiences are accompanied by their spouse or “ significant other.” In addition to a learning experience, the Weekend Experiences are great social events, where you will renew and develop both business and social relationships.

What you will Learn:  Boston is addressing many of the same issues that you are in your business or community.  This program provides exposure to a variety of projects in Boston, where you will learn, through the “ look and learn” method, how Boston is addressing these issues.  The Boston Chapter has also arranged to have the key people involved with the planning and development of Boston to lead the tours.  You will have the opportunity to talk with our "tour guides" to have your questions answered.

The Program: Our Weekend will begin Friday evening at 4 pm. when we walk from our hotel, the Omni Parker House to City Hall where we will meet Rebecca Barnes, the director of planning for the Boston Redevelopment Authority.  From City Hall, we will go to the Boston Society of Architects walking through Quincy Market, Faneuil Hall, and part of the Rose Kennedy Greenway.

Read More about the weekend....

[Click Here] to register for the Boston Weekend Experience Online

or [Click Here] to register by mail

Letter from the President

Larry Lund

The Boston Weekend Experience will soon be upon us, so if you have not registered for it, please do so now.  The Boston Chapter has developed an outstanding program worthy of your attendance and Boston is a great city to visit.

I am especially excited that fellow Ely chapter member Norman Elkin will be joining us for the Weekend and will also be making a presentation Saturday evening as part of the Weekend program.  Norm Elkin is one of the senior members of Lambda Alpha.  He was initiated in 1963 and his fascinating career now spans seven decades.  Norm and his wife Betty previously lived in Boston in the late 1960’s when he was briefly the director of projects for the Center for Violence at Brandeis University.  Urban Investment and Development Company was just finishing Water Tower Place in Chicago in 1975 when Ken Himmel, who at that time was affiliated with Urban wanted to build what today is known as Copley Place. He invited Norm, who was then manager of the planning department at Urban to help provide the market research, planning, and to guide the development through the public approval process that eventually took four years.

Copley Place is a 9.5-acre site sitting on top expressway ramps and commuter rail facilities.  The mixed-use center has two levels of shopping with 100-stores and Neiman Marcus serves as its anchor.  It has two hotels: The Westin and Marriott; restaurants, including Turner Fisheries, where we will dine Saturday evening, an eleven screen cinema, four 7-story office buildings and 1,400 parking spaces.  Copley Place with 3.5 million square feet opened in 1983 as one of the early vertical centers in America and one of the premier projects in the country.

Getting to spend a Weekend with Norm and hear him speak Saturday evening will be a great treat for those that attend.  Seldom does one have the opportunity to learn from one of the industries’ legends.

New Mexico Chapter

We are very excited about the possibilities of starting a chapter in New Mexico. Last week the first planning session took place in Albuquerque. Lead by recently relocated Ely member Mike Maremont, a dozen potential LAI members met with First Vice President Dr. James Fawcett and European Vice President Dr. Karen Sieracki to begin the process of establishing a New Mexico chapter.   LAI will charter a chapter when we initiate at least 25 new members into our organization.  We hope to have 100 new members in the area within three years.  If you have recommendations for new members in New Mexico, please contact Michael Maremont in Santa Fe at mmaremont@comcast.net

Lambda Alpha History

As part of our 75th Anniversary celebration, we are collecting the history of individual chapters. Under the leadership of our Historian Ian Lord of the Simcoe – Toronto Chapter has requested each chapter to send information on their chapter to International.  We will feature Chapter Histories in this and upcoming editions of Online KeyNotes throughout the year.  Below we feature our first report from theAloha Chapter and we have already received histories from San Diego and San Francisco.

We intend to publish a collection of the histories as part of the 75th Anniversary celebration.

I also have been researching the history of LAI, as you have seen in past issues of Online KeyNotes I have visited Richard T Ely’s home's in Fredonia, New York, Madison, Wisconsin, and Evanston, Illinois.  This month we feature our Eastern Region Vice President Joe Nathanson, visiting Ely’s home in Joe’s city, Baltimore.

While Dr. Ely was the first honorary member of Lambda Alpha, the force behind the founding of LAI was four students at the School of Commerce at Northwestern University McClintock Campus (Chicago).  The leader was a student James (Jack) J. Harrington.  In addition to Jack J. Harrington, the other students were George S. Stone, James N. Massey, and A. Gordon Thompson.  Below you read a history of George Stone.  Histories on the other student founders will follow in later editions of KeyNotes.

Lambda Alpha has a very proud history, and today, LAI continues to provide a platform for chapters to have a significant impact in their communities by fostering a closer association with academia and professional involved with land economics.

John Marshall Law School, New Online KeyNotes Sponsor

I also want to take this opportunity thank the John Marshall Law School for becoming a new sponsor of Online KeyNotes.  You will their “card” on the right.  John Marshall Law School offers an L.L.M. degree program in real estate and a new M.A. program for non-lawyers in real estate law.  The Ely-Chicago Chapter works closely with the John Marshall Law School, and the program’s director, Professor Celeste Hammond is a LAI member as well as the recipient of the Richard T. Ely Award as outstanding educator; in addition to Celeste, several other LAI members are adjunct professors at the school.  The John Marshall Law School also is one of the four student chapters affiliated with Lambda Alpha.

See you in Boston April 29-30!

Larry Lund

International President
LarryLund@LAI.org
312-751-1250

On the Road with Ely

Josef Nathanson, Vice President Eastern Region joins in on the trail of Richard T. Ely. Richard t. Ely started his illustrious career at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. Behind Josef is Ely's first home at 2400 Calvert Street, next to Goucher College. Ely says in his autobiolgraphy, "I think I used good judgement in driving the bargin with the builders. The house was built on a corner lot, about fifteen feet by eight-five. The builders said they wanted five thousand dollars. . . I offered them forty-five hundred dollars with a very small down payment. . .When I left Baltimore, I put a 'For Sale' sign in the window and sold my house for five thousand dollars."

Ely lived in this three story brick house during his tenure at Johns Hopkins from 1881 to 1892. His first son, Richard Sterling Ely was born in this house. His salary at the time was $1,750 annually and he had two servants. Ely left Johns Hopkins to start the land economics department at the University of Wisconsin, Madison.

London Chapter

Seated - Jim Fawcett, First Vice President - Jeffrey Cackett LVO, London Chapter President - Dr Karen Sieracki, London Chapter Hon. Treasurer Standing - Alistair Court-Smith, London Chapter Director - John Dallimore, London Chapter Director - Geoffrey McMorrough Kavanagh, London Chapter Hon. Secretary.

Meeting with London Chapter, LAI

On 31 March, First Vice President James Fawcett and his wife, Nancy, were the guests of the London Chapter at their spring luncheon meeting.  London Chapter President, Jeffrey Cackett, LVO, and his members provided and exceptionally gracious welcome to the Fawcetts as they visited the chapter at the Royal Thames Yacht Club.

A bounty of members and guests attended the luncheon and Jim used the opportunity to remind both members and guests of the history and ideals of our Society.  For members, he urged their attention to the upcoming Boston Weekend Experience at the end of April and urged members to consider joining us in Chicago for the 75th Anniversary gala this coming fall. 

Cries of invasion from the Californians were heard as President Cackett announced the transfer to the London Chapter of member Nick Forde, a Britisher who most recently has been a member of the Los Angeles Chapter and who has now returned to his native soil. 

The luncheon speaker, Peter Wynne Rees, the City Planning Officer for the City of London, impressed the group with an historical tour through the city, emphasizing its international character as well as forecasting its future in the context of a busy European and world economy. 

At the conclusion of the luncheon meeting, Jim was pleased to meet with the board of directors of the chapter as they charted out future meetings and events.  He reports that the London chapter is robust, diverse in membership and that its members are making a valuable contribution to the civic health of both London and Britain.

Jim and Nancy want to acknowledge the hospitality in particular of Mari McMorrough Kavanagh, Geoffrey McMorrough Kavanagh, Dr. Karen Sieracki and her husband, Robert Gibson.  Alas, Past International President, Roger Kallman was sidelined by health problems and could not attend the meeting to the disappointment of members and guests alike.  We send Roger our best wishes for a speedy recovery.

Los Angeles Chapter

Mrs. Edward Johnson (Joyce) the widow of founding LAI member Edward Johnson passed away March 20, 2005. Ed Johnson, who helped found LAI in 1930 and the Los Angeles Chapter in 1955 died December 18, 2004 at age 94.

Ely-Chicago Chapter

Ely-Chicago Chautauqua Wednesday evening, May 18:  Eminent Domain:  Public Benefit or Private Purpose?

The Ely Chapter’s Spring Chautauqua is in honor of the late Earl L. Neil.  The program will focus on the decision pending before the U.S. Supreme Court regarding government using eminent domain to take privately owed properties for other private uses in the name of economic development, greater tax revenues, and jobs creation.

The program will feature Earl Neal’s son attorney Langdon Neal, Partner, Neal & Leroy, LLC providing the “Illinois Perspective.”  After dinner a panel discussion moderated by former City of Chicago Corporation Counsel, Kathleen Ransford that will feature David Dana, Professor of Law, Institute for Policy Research, Northwestern University and Tim Bishop, Partner, Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw.

Program is at Chicago Athletic Association 18 S Michigan beginning with cocktails at 5:30.  For more information or registration call 847-676-3781 or e-mail Ely-Chicago@LAI.org.  Cost is $50 with early registration.

New Members of the John Marshall Law School's Lambda Alpha Student Association initiated April 20, 2005.  Also in photo on the right are Larry Lund, International President, and Professor Celeste Hammond of John Marshall Law School.  Ms. Hammond was the 2004 winner of the Richard T. Ely Distinguished Professor Award during the Biennial Congress in Hawaii.

Ely-Chicago April members program featured: Transit Oriented Development.
L to R: Jeff Ladd, Partner Bell, Boyd & Lloyd (Director of Ely Chapter);
speakers: John LaMott, Principal Lakota Group and Stephen Friedman,
president, S.B. Friedman & Company (former president of Ely Chapter), and
Larry Lund, president LAI.

Announcements

Chapter History

Aloha Chapter

A Brief History of Aloha Chapter

by

David L. Callies
Scribe/Historian

At-Large Lambda Alpha member (and local MAI) Wendell Martin was instrumental in forming the Aloha Chapter of Lambda Alpha, becoming its charter president in 1983. His first task was to invite and initiate a few additional members to serve as officers. This he did in 1983, bringing in Ray Lesher, another MAI, as his Secretary-Treasurer and adding, in addition, Tim Chow, at the time Chief Planning Officer for the City and County of Honolulu, Bill Grant, Executive Director of the Downtown Improvement Association, Bob Vernon, another MAI and president of John Child & Co., Don Cowell, president of Cowell & Company, noted planner Donald H. Wolbrink, developer Tan Tek Lum, and L. Roy Kavanagh. In addition, by the time of the first meeting (and chapter initiation) in 1984, he had also added David L. Callies, a UH Law Professor, Mike McElroy, then Director of Land Utilization, City and County Honolulu, and Wes Hillendahl.

There are currently 46 active members (out of approximately 80 who have been initiated over the past 20 years) of the Aloha chapter, representing a broad mix of professionals and academics in virtually every field related to land economics, from banking and land development to planning, architecture, accounting, engineering, appraisal and law. The Chapter meets quarterly over lunch at the Oahu Country Club to hear some topic related to land economics. Two of its members have been named International Member of the year (Professors David Callies and Randy Roth of the William S. Richardson School of Law) and one serves (2001 -) as an international vice president. Past presidents, in order of their service from first to last:

Wendell Martin
Bill Stricklin
David Callies
John Hirten
Nick Ordway
Tim Chow
Francis Oda
Karen Nakamura
John Whalen
Dan Davidson

George R. Stone was one of the founding members of Lambda Alpha. George was a graduate student at Northwestern University at that time after graduating from Dartmouth College in 1930.

 During the War he served in the U.S. Navy and was awarded the Bronze Star for Japanese Code breaking and then staid in the military serving in the Korean War. After his military service, he came back home to Wilmette, Illinois.

He moved in 1952 from Wilmette to Lake Bluff and became active in the local community, serving as the clerk to the Village Board, becoming a trustee in 1953 and serving on the board for six years. In 1960, he joined the Plan Commission, where he served for many years. He originated the idea of the Lake Bluff Golf Course (opened in 1968) and was a leading proponent of the new library that opened in 1975.

George Stone was the founded of the Highland Park Rotary Club, served as the president of the Highland Park Chamber of Commerce, was on the board of the First National Bank of Highland Park, and served the advisory board for the Lake Forest High School, and in the 1970’s was the chair of the Downtown Redevelopment Commission of Highland Park that lead to the development of Port Clinton Square. George was also a conservationist, and owned tree farms in Northern Wisconsin and several times was awarded citations for being the “Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year.” George R. Stone died in 1981 at age 73.

The company, Hill & Stone Agency of Lake Bluff, Illinois, started in 1915 by his father, continues today lead by his son, George S. Stone.

LAI Awards

Applications Extended!

The People Who Really Get it Right

In today’s hectic. frenetic world it is important to pose, to acknowledge and to honor those people who “get it right”. Catching people in the act of making a significant contribution, improving our profession or achieving excellence in their field of endeavor is the goal and objective of the Lambda Alpha International Awards.

Awards will be given to recipients Thursday evening October 20, 2005 at the Signature Room on the 95th Floor of the John Hancock Center during the 75th Anniversary Celebration in Chicago.

The Awards honor the men and the women who have advanced the principles of land economics through their achievements in service to their profession, their community and the affairs of their chapter. The Awards are presented in the following nine categories.

INTERNATIONAL PUBLIC OFFICIAL AWARD

This award is presented to a public official who, through his or her efforts – be it technical, managerial or other – has contributed significantly to the local level of improving the quality of urban living.

INTERNATIONAL URBAN AFFAIRS AWARD

This award is presented to a person who has made outstanding contributions to urban affairs and who has advanced the frontiers of knowledge via research and the development of unique operations and technical programs.

JOURNALISM AWARD

This award is presented to a journalist whose efforts have contributed to a greater understanding of the principles, practices and greater awareness of land economics. This award is for a sustained, exemplary contribution to a regional body of work.

AUTHOR AWARD

This award is presented to an author whose literary efforts have contributed to a greater understanding of the principles, practices, and greater awareness of land economics internationally. This award is for an exemplary book length publication.

RICHARD T. ELY DISTINGUISHED EDUCATOR AWARD

This award is presented to the person who has achieved excellence within the academic world in the field of land economics.

GERALD D. HINES INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN AWARD

This award is presented to a person who has or had a vision for what his or her community could become in the future, and the ability to see what was needed to achieve that vision, then marshaled the resources and helped direct the activity to accomplish the goal, often working behind the scenes and out of the public’s attention. That person also became a mentor to a number of people who helped carry out the vision and assure that the community remains a vital and a pleasant place to live.

INTERNATIONAL FELLOW AWARDS

This designation is presented to individuals for their outstanding achievements in the field of land economics and for contributions to the advancement of Lambda Alpha International’s goals, through esteemed leadership and foresight.

INTERNATIONAL MEMBER OF THE YEAR AWARD

This award is selected from Chapter nominations for Chapter Member of the Year by the International’s Awards Committee and will be based upon commitment to Lambda Alpha, to the nominee’s profession and to land economics with respect to achievement in the private or public sectors, research or education.

 SKYLINE AWARD

This award is to be selected from Chapter nominations for individual Chapter Skyline Awards submitted to the International’s Awards Committee and based on the following criteria:

“to recognize noteworthy and commendable instances of the practical application of the principles of land economics in the preservation, development or utilization of our land resources.”

All Chapters have been invited to submit nominations in any and all categories. Applications Extended until April 22, 2005. The nominations will be presented to LAI regional vice-presidents, for their initial review and comment.  Final selection of recipients of each award will be made by this years Awards Selection Committee consisting of Fereydoon Ghaffari of Los Angeles Chapter, Karen Sieracki of London Chapter and David Glancey of Philadelphia Chapter.

The Award Selection Committee recommendation will be submitted to the Board of Governors for ratification.

This year’s trophies representing each Award will be elegantly sleek; their design and production being coordinated by our esteemed first vice-president, James Fawcett.

Please submit your Chapter’s nominations to:

            LAI International
            c/o Association Mgt, Inc.
            214 North Hale Street
            Wheaton, IL 60187

            Attn: Terry Stevenson

Fereydoon Ghaffari, A.I.C.P.
Los Angeles Chapter
 

New Members

Lambda Alpha International Student Association at John Marshall Law School:

Melissa Cecola
Kevin Coyne
Jeffrey Davis
Naomi Davis
Robert Faulkner
Steven L. Feder
Kara Frangella
Aleksandra Fremderman
John Greifzu
Kristin Gutenberger
Slaven Ilic
Colleen Irwin
Chuck Little
Vinu Malhan
Jason McGary
Nicola Nelson
Daniel Padernacht
Michael Pfister
Chad Richman
Neil Shelton
Lisa Voegel
Christian Werner
Michael Zalay
Sean Ziadeh

Philadelphia Chapter:

Richard Astrella, PRA Development & Management Corp, Star Real Estate Group
Harry Pennewell III, Pennewell Associates