On August 24th at 7:30 am, Denver nonprofit, Sharing Connexion will host a panel about community-centered commercial real estate projects. Rapid growth in Colorado has put a squeeze on nonprofits, affordable housing options, and municipalities looking to build balanced, amenity rich communities and serve resident needs. The panel will discuss commercial real estate projects that address these concerns and provide innovative solutions. This event, featuring Colorado real estate professionals, will take place at the newly renovated Holiday Theater in Denver (2644 W 32nd Ave.), operated by the Museum of Contemporary Art and acquired by the Cultural Property Trust.
“We chose to have this event at the Holiday Theater because it showcases one of the community-centered real estate solutions we intend to discuss.”
Sharing Connexion Operations Director, Emily Nilsen.
The building itself dates to 1914 and the theater was added in 1926. It was originally called the Egyptian Theater before it was named the Holiday Theater in 1953. The building served as church before Mark Falcone founded the nonprofit, Denver Cultural Property Trust, which took ownership of the facility in 2021. Nilsen added,
“We’re very excited to have Mark Falcone on the panel, speaking about the Cultural Property Trust’s efforts to ensure the theater respects the neighborhood’s history, Denver’s cultural history, and how the facility will be used to support artists and the creative potential of our great city.”
Other leaders in the for-profit and nonprofit real estate space will highlight unique projects, discuss current efforts and innovations that prioritize community needs. There is a $35 suggested donation for event registration.
Community Connexions panelists include:
Mark Falcone founded Continuum Partners, LLC in Denver in 1997. Since its inception Continuum has successfully completed over $3.0 billion of development and established itself as a national leader of complex, mixed use urban infill projects. Throughout his career Mark has been actively engaged in the dialog to advance more sustainable settlement patterns within his industry and amongst public policy makers. Over the years Mark has served in several volunteer leadership positions for the Nature Conservancy, a not-for-profit affordable housing developer and other various organizations focused on the issues and challenges of our built environment. Mark has also served on other boards including NEA’s Mayor’s Institute on City Design, Colgate University, the University of Denver and the Bonfils Stanton Foundation.
David WM. Foster, Partner, Foster Graham, Milstein, & Calisher LLP. David’s legal practice focuses on land use and real estate development matters. David is also involved with many governmental affairs issues both at the local and state level. To those who know David they consider him a deal maker and uniquely adept at balancing public and private interests in finding a better way to do the deal- better in terms of creativity, efficiency and the ability to bring parties with seemingly disparate interests to common ground. David also serves om the CO Mesa University Board of trustees.
Rachel Harms, Senior Project Manager, The Wells Partnership. Rachel brings the experience of an architectural educational background, interior design, and general contracting work experience to bear in her management of development projects at TWP. Rachel spent three years as an engineer with PCL Construction in Denver. During that tenure, her project experience included interior tenant finish work, ground-up office building construction, school renovation projects for Denver Public Schools and civil/infrastructure work. Rachel’s primary focus at TWP has included life science buildings, civil/infrastructure, office space, and multifamily. Rachel is currently on the CREW Board of Directors, serving as President Elect in 2022, and President in 2023. Rachel is also affiliated with AGC and The Downtown Denver Partnership.
Community Connexions panel moderated by:
Albus Brooks, Vice President of Business Development & Public Affairs, Milender White. In 2011 Albus defeated 38 opponents to become the youngest African American ever elected to Denver City Council. Serving two terms on Denver City Council, including two terms as Council President, Albus accomplished an ambitious range of progressive legislative victories with the goal of building a truly inclusive city. To address the affordability crisis, he co-created Denver’s first – and Colorado’s largest – affordable housing fund. To make Denver a more equitable place to grow up he funded and expanded the Denver Preschool Program, providing universal access to preschool for all 4-year-olds. Along with his position at Milender White, Albus sits on multiple boards and commissions and has been a part of the following national and international fellowship programs: The Marshall Memorial Fellowship, the NewDEAL Leaders, and the Aspen Institute – Rodel Fellowship.
Many thanks to our presenting partner, Foster Graham Milstein & Calisher LLP.
Sharing Connexion is a real estate focused nonprofit organization. Its mission is to provide affordable housing and nonprofit organizations with real estate expertise, funding, and preservation. This loan came from Sharing Connexion’s Real Estate Impact program, which makes pre-development, acquisition, and bridge loans to affordable housing projects and nonprofit program spaces.
