On August 24th at 7:30 am, Denver nonprofit, Sharing Connexion hosted a panel about community-centered commercial real estate projects. This was our first Community Connexions event, and Sharing Connexion will be hosting more of these events in the future. The purpose of Community Connexions is to elevate solutions to a real estate landscape that is squeezing nonprofits and has limited affordable housing options. The goal behind these events is to encourage balanced, amenity rich communities that serve resident needs and all income levels. This event took place at the newly renovated Holiday Theater in Denver, highlighting an innovative acquisition for a nonprofit arts organization while including additional housing units for artists.
Watch a recap of the event and learn more about each speaker below.
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 Community Connexion’s 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.
