Lambda Alpha International’s 75th Diamond Anniversary Weekend Experience

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Larry Lund, International President and Michael Shymanski, Ely Chapter President extend a warm welcome to all LAI members and their guests to attend the 75th Anniversary Celebration October 20-23.

Program Highlights

Thursday evening October 20

• 35th Biennial LAI Awards Dinner at the Signature Room at the 95th Floor of the John Hancock Center.

Friday, October 21

• Mobile “Look-See” tour featuring:
  Historic Pullman
  University Commons
  Roosevelt Square
  Lunch at Costa’s with presentation by Bill Little, Managing Director for Development, Chicago Housing Authority
  
  Afternoon free

Friday evening:

• Open House and reception at the Chicago Architecture Foundation in Daniel Burnham’s Santa Fe Building featuring:
  Dr. Eugene Lowe on the "Influence of Richard T. Ely on America."
  Open House:  Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), Lohan Caprile Goettsch, and VOA.

Saturday, October 22

• Mobile “Look-See” tour featuring:
  Lakeshore East
  111 South Wacker Drive
  Museum Campus/Central Station

Saturday Evening:

• 75th Anniversary Gala on the Frank Gehry designed Pritzker Stage at Millennium Park

Read More for Program Details

[Click Here] to register for the Chicago 75th Anniversary Weekend Experience Online.

or

[Click Here] to register by mail or fax

Business Meetings

The Weekend Experiences also serve as an opportunity for Chapter Presidents to meet as well as the Executive Committee.

Friday October 21 at 2 PM

The Board of Governors, which includes Chapter Presidents, incoming Chapter Presidents and the Executive Committee, will have a training session Friday afternoon from 2 PM until 4 PM in the Hotel Sofitel.  Russell Salzman, CEO of the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM), will hold this leadership training session.  Russ’s workshop will help current and incoming Chapter presidents learn the newest techniques in non-profit leadership.

Saturday, October 22 at 2 PM

The Executive Committee will meet at the Hotel Sofitel from 2 PM until 4:30 PM

Sunday, October 23 at 8:30 AM

Presidents Round Table:  Chapter Presidents and incoming Chapter presidents will meet from 8:30 am to 10:00 am to have a roundtable discussion on Chapter issues.  The Executive Committee under the leadership of the International President will facilitate a discussion that will cover issues such as programs, dues, membership, and other areas of Chapter Presidents interest.

Board of Governors Meeting:  This formal Board meeting will occur from 10 am until Noon where new By-laws and other issues will be discussed and voted upon.  Chapter Presidents and the Executive Committee are voting members of the Board of Governors.

Land Economics Foundation Board will also meet as part of the Board of Governors Meeting.  During the 8:30 AM to 10:00 AM period, the Foundation Board can meet to discuss future issues.  Voting issues will be part of the Board of Governors Meeting that follows.

75th Anniversary Exclusive Corporate Sponsors

We still have a few exclusive Major Sponsor opportunities left for the 75th Diamond Anniversary Celebration.  If you would like to be one of the Major Sponsors or a Contributor, please give Larry Lund, International President a call at 312-751-1250 and find out more about how your company can support this historic event.

Major Sponsors ($2,500) include:

International Awards Banquet: LR Development www.lrrealty.com
Chicago Architecture Foundation Reception: Lohan Caprile Goettsch Architects www.Lohan.com
Millennium Park Reception: Skidmore, Owings & Merrill – SOM www.som.com
Millennium Park Pritzker Pavilion Gala: U.S. Equities Realty www.usequities.com
President’s Reception : Appraisal Research Counselors. www.appraisalresearch.com

Contributors ($500) include:

URS Corporation
Thompson Dyke & Associates
The Terrapin Group
Central Federal Savings
VOA
Real Estate Planning Group
Freeborn and Peters
S. B. Friedman & Company
Camiros
Jones Lang LaSalle

If you would like to be added to the list of Major Sponsors or Contributors please call 312-751-1250. Thank you for your continued support.

2005 Lambda Alpha International Award Recipients

One of the goals of Lambda Alpha International is to recognize and honor men and women in all parts of the world whose achievements have contributed, directly or indirectly, to the advancement of the science of land economics, to a better understanding of the principles of land economics, or to the practical application of such principles in the preservation, development or better utilization of the world’s land resources. To this purpose Lambda Alpha International at its Biennial Congress acknowledges individuals and projects with special awards.

In today's hectic, frenetic world, it is important to pause, 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 Lambda Alpha International Awards.

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.

International Public Official Award
Presented to a public official who through his or her efforts has contributed significantly to the local level of improving the quality of urban living.

DANIEL M. TANGHERLINI
District of Columbia Department of Transportation, Washington, D.C.
For rebuilding Washington, D.C.’s transportationinfrastructure to the enormous benefit of all DCand regional residents. 

International Urban Affairs Award
Presented to a person who has made outstanding contributions to urban affairs and to the local level of improving the quality of urban living.

KERRY HARRINGTON MORRISON
Hollywood Business Improvement District, Hollywood, California
For shepherding the Hollywood BID’s remarkable renaissance of the entertainment oriented community through redevelopment of key properties, streetscape beautification and security enhancements.

Richard T. Ely Distinguished Educator Award
Presented to individuals who have achieved excellence within the academic world in the field of land economics.

STANLEY HAMILTON
University of British Columbia, Vancouver, B.C.
For his extensive teaching and research experience and for his superb teaching ability and commitment to his students and to the discipline of real estate.

ROBERT FOUNTAIN
Sacramento Regional Research Institute, Sacramento, California
For solid regional economic land development research, critical to intelligent land planning and sustainable economic growth.

Journalism Award
Presented to a journalist whose efforts have contributed to a greater understanding of the principles, practices and greater awareness of land economics.

NEAL R. PEIRCE
Washington Post Writers Group, Washington, D.C.
For breaking fresh grounds in identifying vital new trends and the dynamics of federal /state/local relations.

Gerald D. Hines International Humanitarian Award
Presented to a person with a vision of the future, and an ability to identify the means to achieve the vision and to its implementation.

ROBERT E. SIMON
Reston New Town, Reston Virginia
For his creativity in the development of plans for the new community of Reston, Virginia, development of the community and his return to Reston to live and to oversee its completion.

International Fellow Award
Presented to individuals for their contribution to the advancement of Lambda Alpha International’s goals, through esteemed leadership and foresight.

ROGER G. KALLMAN
Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, London, England
For his efforts in establishing the London Chapter and his leadership in providing new vitality to the organization as its International President.

CHARLES H. ATHERTON
Secretary, US Commission on Fine Arts, Retired, Washington, D.C.
For his leadership in the United States Commission of Fine Arts and its advice to the Congress and the President in matters affecting the design of structures, memorials and statues in monumental areas of the Capital City.


Edward L. Johnson Member of the Year Award
Presented to a person who has demonstrated commitment to Lambda Alpha and professional achievement in the private or public sectors, research or education.

KAREN A. SIERACKI
KASPAR Associates, Limited, London, England
For her dedication to Lambda Alpha as a member of the executive committee and as treasurer of the London Chapter, and for providing creative analysis of the property investment markets in Europe and the United States.

Skyline Award
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.

WALT DISNEY CONCERT HALL
Los Angeles, California
For a highly creative architectural design and acoustically superb engineering of a 2,265 seat concert hall, with a positive impact on its environs through encouragement of the Grand Avenue urban rejuvenation project.

The 35th Biennial Award Recipients will be honored at a dinner Thursday evening October 20 in the Signature Room at the 95th in the John Hancock Center during the 75th Anniversary Weekend Experience.  The awards banquet is included as part of the 75th Anniversary events.

The 2005 Awards Committee

Fereydoon Ghaffari, Chair
David Glancey
Josef Nathanson
Les Pollock
David Callies

Editor's Column

In July, I delivered about a dozen presentations to real estate oriented organizations. That’s a few more than I traditionally encounter in the summer months, but as I give all my honorariums to charity, I figured “why not”?

The big question continues to be “when is the bubble going to burst”? My answer is that it won’t, at least not in the foreseeable future. To have a real estate bubble, you have to have large numbers of unsold new homes and an abnormally high ratio between listings and sales of existing homes. So far, I see little evidence of this oversupply trend.

Behind virtually every bubble is an economic recession, major job losses, rising unemployment rates, an international economic malaise and, inevitably, rising interest rates. Unless my crystal ball is unusually cloudy, I don’t see any of those factors on the horizon. I am pleasantly surprised by the continuing economic health of our economy, our job gains and what appear to be relatively level interest rates.

The confidence of the nation also appears to be in tact. I look at two indicators to tell me that our population feels good about the economic state of the nation: home sales and luxury car sales. Both are on a long-term roll and there are few indications that sagging is in order.

Existing home sales are remarkably robust. Ten years ago if the Realtors reported 4.0 million home sales annually, it was considered a bonanza. Last year the total approached 7.0 million and it appears that we will hit that heady total again in 2005.

This also means that home ownership percentages will rise to new highs, passing the 70% mark (except for coastal California). There are many states where home ownership is approaching the 75% level and that is just plain wonderful.

New home production is also ebullient and unsold standing inventory is negligible.

Now that doesn’t mean that every place in America is having a sensational year, but it does mean that most areas are relatively healthy, in economic terms.

I suspect there are a few clouds on the horizon, mostly relating to overambitious proposed condominium production in markets like Las Vegas and Miami. But rolling dice has long been a characteristic of the construction markets in those metros.

The California Building Industry Association (for which I serve as Chief Economist) recently published a report prepared by Mike Colby of our staff that indicated that Californians have accumulated more than $1.0 trillion in home equity in the past five years.

When you add the California total to the rest of the nation, Americans have added several trillion dollars in home equity in recent years and that massive increase in personal net worth continues to give the American public the confidence it needs to perpetuate their shopping trips and keep America on an economic roll.

I don’t see bubbles. I see rainbows.

Chapter Corner

Professor Susanne Cannon, Director of DePaul University’s Real Estate Center and former Ely Chapter president announced that the position she holds has been endowed with $2 million gift.

The New York City Lambda alpha Chapter was the first Chapter formed outside of Chicago. The New York Times reports in its June 3, 1949 edition that plans for the creation of a New York Chapter of Lambda Alpha were completed at a luncheon meeting of invited founder members in the University Club. The meeting was lead by Mr. Max Fuhrer (1901-1968) of Eugene & Max Fuhrer, Architects and Engineers, president of LAI (1949).

Again, according to the New York Times (September 23, 1949) they reported that Homer Hoyt and Robert H. Armstrong presided over a meeting at the Harvard Club where they officially chartered the New York City Chapter. The first president of the NYC Chapter was Hugh Pomeroy, a Westchester County planner. With the chartering of the New York LAI Chapter, the Land Economics Society of Greater New York was dissolved.

Other founding members included Frederick H. Allen of Harrison, Ballard & Allen, planning consultants; L. Durward Badgley, of the Mutual Life Insurance Company; Clifford R. Beardsley, of the Consolidated Edison Company; Frederick L. Bird, of Dun & Bradstreet; Henry S. Churchill, of Churchill-Fulmer Associates, architects and planners; Frederick P. Clark, of the Regional Plan Association; Philip Cornick, of the Institute of Public Administration; Lee E. cooper, real estate editor of the New York times; J. Marshall Miller, associate professor planning at Columbia University; McKim Norton, of the Regional Plan Association; Lawrence Orton, of the City Planning Commission; Hugh Pomeroy of the Westchester County Planning Board; Henry Raab, vice president of the Bowery Savings Bank; Edwin H. Spengler, of Brooklyn College; and H. S. Severson, of Dun & Bradstreet.

In addition to these new members, Homer Hoyt (LAI International President, 1942) and Robert H. Armstrong, a realty broker and appraisal expert had relocated from the Chicago-Ely Chapter and became affiliated with the NYC Chapter.

Boston Weekend Experience – Copley Place Audio Available

Norman Elkin was scheduled to talk on the history of Copley Place during the Boston Weekend Experience. Unfortunately, this did not occur as planned, but subsequently Larry Lund visited with Norm on July 7, 2005 at his home in Glenview, Illinois where they had a discussion about the development of Copley Place.

Norm Elkin was a Vice President at Urban Investments/JMB when they built Copley Place. His responsibility was to work with Ken Himmel to help conceptualize the project and to conduct the extensive public process that was required to build Copley Place. Copley Place is a 3.7 million square foot mixed-use development on 3.3 acres. Uses include retail, office, hotel, and residential. This is a fascinating story.

Download this file and play it on your I-pod, or your CD in your car or while you’re jogging. The interview is 72 minutes and the wma file is 16 Mb. Go to 209.224.198.102 and under Library scroll down under Audio, you will see the interview listed. We hope to have additional interviews with Norm Elkin and other Lambda Alpha International members added in the future. Please let us know what you think of this new feature.

Fall 2005   Chicago, Illinois (October 20-23) (Biennial Congress – 75th Anniversary)

Spring 2006   Washington, D.C.

Fall 2006   Ottawa, Canada

Spring 2007   Dublin, Ireland

Fall 2007   Los Angles, California (Biennial Congress)

Spring 2008   Phoenix, Arizona

International Symposium on Ancient Design Principles

August 11-13, in New Harmony, Indiana

The Lambda Alpha Land Economics Foundation is pleased to be one of the sponsors of this symposium that joins an international group of experts for a stimulating three-day symposium focusing on research and practical application of ancient design principles for planning, architecture and design education. Design is not a matter of taste but the result of carefully selected application of spatial and design principles. Research has shown many of the greatest places and buildings in the world are the result of applying sophisticated geometric principles. Historic New Harmony Indiana will host this important event and afford its own excellent examples of design including Phillip Johnson's Roofless Church and Richard Meier's Athenaeum.  New Harmony is a utopian community near Evansville, Indiana founded in the 1800s.

This international program features, Jon Allen, architect, architectural partner of Keith Critchlow of the UK, John David Mooney, environmental artist, Ben Nicholson, architect and professor at IIT, Randy Schmidt, architect and director for the Center for Environmental Structures founded by Christopher Alexander, Patrick Horsbrugh, founder of Environic Foundation International, Paul Murrain, former Director of Design for the Princes Foundation in London, Jeffrey Soule, FAICP, policy director, American Planning Association, and Kent Schuette professor landscape architecture at Purdue University.

Additional details can be found at: http://www.newharmonysymposium.com/7155/index.html

To register go to: http://www.planning.org/conferences/ancientdesign.htm

New Members

Orange County Chapter

David Conley, Irvine Community Development Co., a subsidiary of The Irvine Company