Major Projects Changing The Region

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  Susan Mosey

  Susan T. Mosey has been the Executive Director of Midtown Detroit, Inc. (MDI) in Detroit, Michigan for twenty nine years. This non-profit organization is responsible for community development, marketing, real estate, small business development and arts programming within Detroit’s University Cultural Center and New Center districts – an area now known as Midtown. MDI also manages public space maintenance and security initiatives for the district. Projects that have been undertaken by the organization under her direction include public improvements such as new streetscapes and park development, greenway planning and construction, and residential and commercial real estate development and management. MDI’s newest initiative is the Live Midtown Residential Incentive Program that encourages employees of the anchors to move to Midtown. The organization also produces a number of signature arts events, including Art X Detroit, DLECTRICITY and Noel Night.

  Midtown Detroit

  President

  Susan Mosey

  President

  Midtown Detroit

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  Paula Roy Carethers

  Paula is a seasoned urban planning professional with experience in large-scale mixed-use developments and affordable housing. She leads the visioning, curation and implementation for Ford’s Detroit development project, including the restoration of Michigan Central Station, and the creation of a new center for mobility and innovation in Corktown. In her role, she will help guide the master planning activities and serve as a liaison with public partners and key stakeholders spanning mobility, sustainability, urban design and planning, public policy, arts and culture, finance, and creative technology development. Prior to joining Ford in March 2019, Carethers served as the executive vice president for real estate at the New York City Housing Development Corporation, a public benefit corporation, which consistently ranks among the nation’s top multi-family bond issuers surpassing $1B in each of the last five consecutive years. In this role, Paula oversaw the Corporation’s real estate development and asset management departments responsible for all mixed-use new construction and preservation originations, as well as portfolio analysis, compliance, and lease up for a portfolio of over 200,000 projects and $9.8B in mortgages. In previous roles, Carethers has led the consolidation and refinancing of the State’s Mitchell Lama portfolio, provided oversight of a 22-acre mixed-use the Atlantic Yards/Pacific Park development in Brooklyn, NY, and served as the President of the Queens West Development Corporation. She was also on the team that gained public approvals for the 2.8M sf redevelopment of the historic Domino Sugar Refinery and began her New York career steering large-scale planning efforts for the New York City Economic Development Corporation, including the post-911 lower Manhattan rebuilding efforts, the rezoning of 125th street, and planning for Brooklyn Bridge Park. Paula holds a Masters in Urban Planning from the University of Michigan and a Bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University. Born and raised near Detroit, she is excited to return to the city with her husband and two children after 15 years living in New York.

  Ford Motor Land Development

  Detroit Development Manager

  Paula Roy Carethers

  Detroit Development Manager

  Ford Motor Land Development

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  Craig Kolstad

  During his 20+ years of international architectural experience with firms SOM, Gensler and HKS, Craig has learned that transformational projects begin with a collaborative culture that balances the needs of all project stakeholders – to produce a result that balances beauty and performance through research and evidence based outcomes. This integrated approach drives projects and the people who work on them, to reach their greater potential. As a “thinker-maker-builder” he believes that good design lives at all scales and that above all: Design Matters. As Design Director, Craig is responsible for HKS’ overall design vision. He assists project teams to establish and execute an appropriate overall design strategy for each unique client and context. Craig operates as main point of contact & coordination between the client group and HKS project team members to ensure their incredible talents are maximized to deliver a memorable project experience. He is excited to contribute to the long-term success of Detroit 2.0, recognizing the value the built environment has on the community it serves.

  HKS Detroit

  Design Director

  Craig Kolstad

  Design Director

  HKS Detroit

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  Mark Bennett

  Mark is a real estate developer, financier and attorney with 30+ years of experience in envisioning, structuring and executing complex and transformative market rate and affordable multifamily and mixed-use developments. Since 2014, he has taken part in the development and financing of 9 ground-up, existing and major rehab developments including 2,000+ residential units with 7 developments in the City of Detroit. Combined capital stacks exceed $300 million including 4 Qualified Opportunity Zone Funds (QOF), and the first one in Detroit. Mark is an expert in creating non-profit Community Land Trusts (CLTs), an innovative means of developing permanent affordable housing, with six such developments underway in the City of Detroit. In law school, Mark founded Toxicheck, later merging with Environmental Data Resources Inc. (EDR), today the nation’s leading environmental information services company. Mark is a Member of the State Bar of Michigan and practiced law at Miller Canfield, creating the firm’s Climate Change Practice Group. He earned his BS in Economics, Phi Beta Kappa from Michigan State University, and his JD from the Wayne State University Law School.

  MJBennett

  Founder

  Moderator

  Mark Bennett

  Founder

  MJBennett

Navigating Costs

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  Tonja Stapleton

  Tonja is a zoning and land use expert with over twenty years of experience in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors, most recently serving as the Zoning Administrator for the City of Detroit. Her core strengths include strategic and master planning, project management, land entitlements, and commercial development. She has helped launch over 40 small businesses, co-authored several ordinances for municipalities and served on the advisory committee for the City of Detroit’s recent Pink Zoning/Mixed Tape Zoning initiative. Tonja has a degree in Urban and Regional Planning from Michigan State University and is certified in Six Sigma Lean Processing. Tonja leads our Municipal Services Team.

  Parkstone Development Partners

  Managing Director

  Tonja Stapleton

  Managing Director

  Parkstone Development Partners

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  Roger Basmajian

  President

  Basco Development

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  Andrew Gutman

  Andrew is responsible for all aspects of property management accounting, corporate accounting, construction accounting, financial services, asset management, information technologies, and human resources. Mr. Gutman's focus is on internal and external client services and the provision of timely and accurate client-required information and maximizing asset value. He has been responsible for direct oversight of over $100,000,000 in debt and equity vehicles for the organization and for clients.

  Farbman Group

  President

  Moderator

  Andrew Gutman

  President

  Farbman Group