Building a Foundation

A Practical Educational Opportunity

Building a Foundation or REDI: Which course is right for me?

“After 9 months, I can say without a doubt that ULI Minnesota’s Building a Foundation course is a must for anyone interested or working in commercial real estate! Each session was guided by an expert at the top of their field and I was able to build meaningful connections with peers in my cohort. I am looking forward to future ULI Minnesota events and courses!”

Zach Kaplan, Caspian Group

2022-2023 Building a Foundation Course Alumni

The Building a Foundation 2024-2025 Course is now SOLD OUT.  To express interest in this course, please email Rachel Keenan at [email protected]

 

Building a Foundation is a practical introduction to the essential components of completing a real estate development project. Building a Foundation is appropriate for early-stage professionals or those of all levels who seek an introductory understanding of the development process across different disciplines.

  • The once per month lunchtime cadence fits into your busy schedule!
  • Learn from industry leaders during nine in-person sessions hosted at the office of Paul Davis in Saint Paul.
  • Tour a real estate development project and celebrate with a graduation social.
  • Opportunity to earn up to 9 hours* of MN Real Estate CE credits. *(Session applications will be submitted and 1 hour of continuing education credit will be pending approval by the Minnesota Commissioner of Commerce, per application.).
  • Registration fee includes a textbook ($124.95 value), lunches, tour, happy hour, session materials, and CE.

Thank you to our in-kind course sponsor:

 

2024-2025 Course Schedule

Building a Foundation will be an in-person course hosted at Paul Davis in Saint Paul, MN (429 Prior Ave North Suite 100, St. Paul, MN 55104).
Course sessions will be held once monthly on Fridays from 11:30AM-1PM, September 27, 2024 – June 2025.

Sept. 27, 2024, 11:30AM-1PM: Managing the Development Process
Speaker: Joseph Peris, Director of Real Estate Development at Ryan Companies

Nov. 1, 2024, 11:30AM-1PM: Land Use and Entitlements
Speakers: Brian Bell, Partner at Dorsey & Whitney LLP
Luis Pereira, Housing Project Manager at Aeon

Dec. 6, 2024, 11:30AM-1PM: Feasibility Analysis
Speakers: Amanda Janzen
Joseph Bergman, Vice President of Development at Endeavor Development

Jan. 10, 2025, 11:30AM-1PM: Design and Site Planning
Speakers: Bob Loken, Principal at ESG Architecture & Design
John Slack, Principal at Perkins & Will

Feb. 7, 2025, 11:30AM-1PM: Construction
Speaker: Joanne Kuria, COO at Amani Construction & Development

Mar. 7, 2025, 11:30AM-1PM: Capital Markets & Project Financing

Apr. 11, 2025, 11:30AM-1PM: Real Estate Law – Key Deal Points
Speakers: Peter J. Berrie, Partner with Faegre Drinker
Crystal A. Thorpe, Associate with Faegre Drinker

May 2, 2025, 11:30AM-1PM: Property Management

WEDNESDAY, June 4, 2025, 4:00PM-6:00PM: Graduation Happy Hour and Project Tour, Location TBD

Registration Fee:

  • $400 ULI members
  • $550 nonmembers
  • Registration for individual sessions is not available. This course is open to all, with enrollment available on a first come first serve basis, until the course is filled. To facilitate relationship-building across the cohort, the course is limited to 30 people.
    Cancellation and Refund: If you have registered and are no longer able to participate, we must receive request for cancellation by EOD on September 25, 2024, to issue a refund. Please make this request to [email protected]

Registration Fee Includes:

    • A course textbook ($124.95 value) with suggested readings that will accompany the course content.
    • Opportunity to earn up to 9 hours* of MN Dept. of Commerce Real Estate CE. *(Session applications will be submitted and 1 hour of continuing education credit will be pending approval by the Minnesota Commissioner of Commerce per application.).
    • Eight monthly sessions with presentation and lunch. Sessions planned for in-person delivery hosted at Paul Davis in Saint Paul.
    • Tour of a real estate development and celebratory happy hour.
    • Session recording and copy of each presentation.

Building a Foundation Chair and Vice Chair: