Summary: Zach and I talk about the Design Build Process, housing affordability, and big ideas.

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Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development, you can subscribe to the Top Five. It’s free if you want it to be!
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Big Takeaways:
- How to design and build a home well.
- Reducing project risk through community engagement.
- How community organizations can leverage their resources to impact the community through housing.
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About Zach:
Zach Sunderland, AIA, NCGC, is the co-founder and Executive Director of Haven Design|Build. As a licensed Architect and General Contractor, Zach leads Haven’s design and construction teams and manages overall operations and visioning for the firm at large. 

With an extensive background in the architecture and construction industry, he has worked on projects at every scale within multiple sectors and takes every opportunity possible to spur conversations on practice management and community-based design.

Zach is passionate about working alongside communities to create exceptional places to live, work, and play where each individual can flourish.

Connect with Zach: Website | LinkedIn 

Mentioned in the show:
- [PDF] Affordable Housing Pocked Guide by Haven Design|Build
- About B Corporations
- Harper’s Home
- [BOOK] Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City
- [BOOK] There Is No Place for Us: Working and Homeless in America

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Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development, you can subscribe to the Top Five. It’s free if you want it to be!

Show Notes:
Welcome to Dirt NC, where we talk all about the places and spaces of North Carolina and the people who make them awesome. I am your host, Jed Byrne.

Throughout my career in engineering, construction, finance, and development, I have worked on nearly every aspect of the land use ecosystem. This show provides an opportunity for me to share what I've learned with you, as well as introduce you to some of my friends, both new and old, who are doing transformative work.

With each episode of Dirt NC, my goal is to make sure you walk away learning something new about land use. I promise to keep it simple and straightforward.

As always, I am grateful that you have chosen to share this time with me! If you have comments, questions, or suggestions about Dirt NC or any land-use related matter, you can connect with me at www.oakcitycre.com.

Until next time, thank you!

Summary: Morgan and I talk all about housing affordability at the County level

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Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development, you can subscribe to the Top Five. It’s free if you want it to be!
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Big Takeaways:
- The connection between housing and healthcare.
- Wake County has a housing deficit of 65,000 homes.
- Wake County just launched a new data platform and is working on a housing acquisition fund.

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About Morgan:
Morgan Mansa serves as the Director of Housing Affordability & Community Revitalization for Wake County, where she leads efforts to expand affordable housing, preserve existing units, and support residents through homelessness, permanent supportive housing, and veteran services initiatives. 

With extensive experience in housing policy and community development, her previous roles include Director of Housing and Community Partnerships for Cary, North Carolina; Executive Director of Nashville’s Housing Trust Fund; Policy Advisor for the Tennessee Housing Development Agency; and Executive Director of the Chicago Area Fair Housing Alliance. 

Morgan holds a BA in Sociology and a Master of Public Policy & Administration from Northwestern University, leveraging her extensive expertise to drive impactful and equitable housing solutions.

Connect with Morgan: Website | LinkedIn 

Mentioned in the show:
- Wake County Housing Data Platform
- [BOOK] The Geography of Opportunity: Race and Housing Choice in Metropolitan America
- Affordable Housing Advisory Working Group
- [BOOK] Homelessness is a Housing Problem: How Structural Factors Explain U.S. Patterns

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Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development, you can subscribe to the Top Five. It’s free if you want it to be!

Show Notes:
Welcome to Dirt NC, where we talk all about the places and spaces of North Carolina and the people who make them awesome. I am your host, Jed Byrne.

Throughout my career in engineering, construction, finance, and development, I have worked on nearly every aspect of the land use ecosystem. This show provides an opportunity for me to share what I've learned with you, as well as introduce you to some of my friends, both new and old, who are doing transformative work.

With each episode of Dirt NC, my goal is to make sure you walk away learning something new about land use. I promise to keep it simple and straightforward.

As always, I am grateful that you have chosen to share this time with me! If you have comments, questions, or suggestions about Dirt NC or any land-use related matter, you can connect with me at

Summary: Monte and I talk about incremental development and starting a 12 Steps to Town Making small-scale developer ecosystem.

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Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development, you can subscribe to the Top Five. It’s free if you want it to be!
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Big Takeaways:
- There are four corners to any small-scale ecosystem: the Public, Private, Non-Profit, and Financial Sectors.
- How Monte’s room mate house works.
- The 12 Steps to Town Making.

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About Monte: 
Monte Anderson is a passionate advocate for revitalizing underserved communities across the United States.  As president of Options Real Estate, a sales, management, and development company in Southern Dallas County, he applies his deep commitment to improving neighborhoods, particularly those that are impoverished or overlooked. His approach focuses on empowering local residents and fostering sustainable economic growth through small-scale, incremental development.

With other like minded colleagues he met through Strong Towns and The Congress for the New Urbanism, Monte co-founded the Incremental Development Alliance and then Neighborhood Evolution (NEVO), two teaching organizations focused on small scale development, local ownership, and building eco systems for cities and towns that encourage this work.  

He also co-authored and now teaches "The Twelve Steps of Town Making" which has resulted in success stories all over the country.

Connect with Monte: Website | LinkedIn | Instagram 

Mentioned in the show:
- Congress for New Urbanism
- Neighborhood Evolution
- NYT Article on Monte’s Roommate House
- Strong Towns
- [Book] Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect
- Grow Desoto Market Place
- [Book] 12 Steps to Town Making
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Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development, you can subscribe to the Top Five. It’s free if you want it to be!

Show Notes:
Welcome to Dirt NC, where we talk all about the places and spaces of North Carolina and the people who make them awesome. I am your host, Jed Byrne.

Throughout my career in engineering, construction, finance, and development, I have worked on nearly every aspect of the land use ecosystem. This show provides an opportunity for me to share what I've learned with you, as well as introduce you to some of my friends, both new and old, who are doing transformative work.

With each episode of Dirt NC, my goal is

Summary: Emila and I discuss housing and homelessness at the City level.

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Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development, you can subscribe to the Top Five. It’s free if you want it to be!
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Big Takeaways:
- When it comes to homelessness, it costs more to do nothing than it costs to do something.
- The definition of functional zero homelessness.
- As housing affordability decreases, homelessness tends to increase.

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About Emila:
Sutton currently serves as the Housing & Neighborhoods Director for the City of Raleigh, overseeing initiatives in affordable housing, homelessness, small business development, and code enforcement programs. The department's goal is to increase the supply of safe, decent, and affordable housing, and overall enhance the lives of Raleigh residents. Key programs include affordable housing rental development, homeownership assistance, small business development, home rehabilitation, and several homelessness-related initiatives.

Sutton holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, a Master’s degree in History, and a Juris Doctor (JD).

Connect with Emila: Website | LinkedIn

Mentioned in the show:
- The cost of homelessness in Dallas & Collin Counties
- Ending Chronic Homelessness Saves Taxpayers Money
- Raleigh Resources for Housing Crises and Homelessness
- [Book] Homelessness is a Housing Problem
- 2017 HUD and National Alliance to End Homelessness - cost of homelessness

Additional Resources:
- [Video] Can luxury housing do anything for homelessness?
- [Podcast] Episode 66: Chronic Homelessness and Housing First with Tim Aubry (Pathways Home pt. 6)

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Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development, you can subscribe to the Top Five. It’s free if you want it to be!

Show Notes:
Welcome to Dirt NC, where we talk all about the places and spaces of North Carolina and the people who make them awesome. I am your host, Jed Byrne.

Throughout my career in engineering, construction, finance, and development, I have worked on nearly every aspect of the land use ecosystem. This show provides an opportunity for me to share what I've learned with you, as well as introduce you to some of my friends, both new a

Summary: Zachery and I talk about all things local media.

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Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development, you can subscribe to the Top Five. It’s free if you want it to be!
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Big Takeaways:
- The process of producing Axios.
- The intersection of media and education.
- The tradeoffs in development and growth.

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About Zachery:
Zachery Eanes is a reporter with Axios Raleigh, where he covers everything from statewide business and economic trends to local politics.

Connect with Zachery: Website | LinkedIn | Twitter

Mentioned in the show:
- The Bike Library
- [Book] Abundance
- Subscribe to Axios Raleigh

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Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development, you can subscribe to the Top Five. It’s free if you want it to be!

Show Notes:
Welcome to Dirt NC, where we talk all about the places and spaces of North Carolina and the people who make them awesome. I am your host, Jed Byrne.

Throughout my career in engineering, construction, finance, and development, I have worked on nearly every aspect of the land use ecosystem. This show provides an opportunity for me to share what I've learned with you, as well as introduce you to some of my friends, both new and old, who are doing transformative work.

With each episode of Dirt NC, my goal is to make sure you walk away learning something new about land use. I promise to keep it simple and straightforward.

As always, I am grateful that you have chosen to share this time with me! If you have comments, questions, or suggestions about Dirt NC or any land-use related matter, you can connect with me at www.oakcitycre.com.

Until next time, thank you!

Summary: Kallie and I talk all about development and what’s happening at North Hills and beyond.

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Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to the Top Five. It’s free if you want it to be!
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Big Take Aways:
- Developers aren’t responsible for growth.
- Learning about simple Bike/Pedestrian infrastructure in New Zealand.
- The importance of “pioneering” capital and development.

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About Kallie:
Since joining Kane Realty in 2015, Kallie has risen through the ranks to her current position as Director of Development, managing mixed-use development projects throughout Raleigh from conception to completion. During her tenure, she has overseen over $1 billion in development, with projects including The Dillon in Downtown Raleigh and Peace Apartments & Publix grocery store in Downtown's revitalized Smoky Hollow neighborhood. Her largest project to date is the North Hills Main District Expansion, which replaces underutilized retail and parking with a dense, urban redevelopment focused on outdoor space and walkability.

She is passionate about urban infill, maximizing utility of underused sites and infusing her community with lasting vitality. A creative problem solver, she loves putting together the many, varied pieces of a complex project.

Originally from Atlanta, Kallie found her way to North Carolina after graduating from the University of South Carolina and now considers Raleigh home. She lives in Five Points with her husband and two dogs, and when she is not working toward a bright future for her home city, you can find her traveling and saltwater flyfishing.

Connect with Kallie: Website | LinkedIn

Mentioned in the show:
- Makers Alley
- Urban Land Institute Triangle
- Development Stake Holders Meeting
- Capital Stack Explainer Video
- North Hills Innovation District (NHID)
- New Zealand Cycling Network Map

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Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to the Top Five. It’s free if you want it to be!

Show Notes:
Welcome to Dirt NC where we talk all about the places and spaces of North Carolina and the people who make them awesome, I am your host Jed Byrne.

Throughout my career in engineering, construction, finance, and development, I have covered just about all sides of the land use ecosystem. This show creates an opportunity for me to share what I have learned with you as well as introduce you to some of my friends, both new and old who are doing transformative work.

With each episode of Dirt NC my goal is to make sure you walk aw

Summary: Lindsay and I talk about coffee, community, and inclusion.

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Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to the Top Five. It’s free if you want it to be!
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Big Take Aways:
- The power of a single prompt “What would you do with $50K and a gap year?”
- 321 Coffee has shipped product to 50 of 50 states.
- How to build more inclusive spaces with “sliders.”
- Lindsay’s dream collaborations.

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About Lindsay:
Lindsay Wrege is the co-founder and CEO of 321 Coffee, a coffee shop and roaster based in Raleigh, NC that employs individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. 

Her inclusive staff, featuring people with down syndrome, autism, and other forms of neurodiversity, together are modeling inclusion for others to follow. 

She started this company in her college dorm room, and it now has 5 locations and employs over 50 adults with IDD. 

Lindsay believes in the power of using business for social impact.

Connect with Lindsay: Website | LinkedIn 

Mentioned in the show:
- Lindsay’s speaking website.

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Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to the Top Five. It’s free if you want it to be!

Show Notes:
Welcome to Dirt NC where we talk all about the places and spaces of North Carolina and the people who make them awesome, I am your host Jed Byrne.

Throughout my career in engineering, construction, finance, and development, I have covered just about all sides of the land use ecosystem. This show creates an opportunity for me to share what I have learned with you as well as introduce you to some of my friends, both new and old who are doing transformative work.

With each episode of Dirt NC my goal is to make sure you walk away learning something new about land use. I promise to keep it simple and straight to the point.

As always, I am grateful that you have chosen to share this time with me! If you have comments/questions/suggestions about Dirt NC or anything land use related you can connect with me on www.oakcitycre.com.

Until next time, Thank you!

Summary: Eric and I talk all about Affordable Housing and housing affordability.

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Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to the Top Five. It’s free if you want it to be!
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Big Take Aways:
-Affordable Housing vs affordable housing vs housing affordability definitions.
- The three unique things universities can bring to the housing affordability conversation: convening, research, and education.
-Filtering and the impact of a healthy vacancy rate for housing.

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About Eric:
Eric Maribojoc is a Professor of the Practice at the Kenan-Flagler School of Business at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He is also an Associate Director of the UNC Wood Center for Real Estate Studies and leads its Affordable Housing Initiative. 

He was most previously the Executive Director of the Center for Real Estate Entrepreneurship at the George Mason University School of Business in Fairfax, Virginia. 

He is a real estate professional with over 25 years of experience in all facets of commercial and residential properties, working with private real estate investment funds prior to his work in higher education. 

Before George Mason, he taught at the graduate real estate program at the Kogod School of Business at American University in Washington D.C., where he earned his MBA in Finance and Real Estate. 

He has served on numerous public and civic organizations focused on commercial real estate and housing including the Fairfax County Board of Zoning Appeals, as a board member of the Northern Virginia Affordable Housing Alliance, and as a commissioner of the Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority.

Connect with Eric: Website | LinkedIn 

Mentioned in the show:
- UNC Leonard W. Wood Center for Real Estate Studies
- Housing Affordability Initiative

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Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to the Top Five. It’s free if you want it to be!

Show Notes:
Welcome to Dirt NC where we talk all about the places and spaces of North Carolina and the people who make them awesome, I am your host Jed Byrne.

Throughout my career in engineering, construction, finance, and development, I have covered just about all sides of the land use ecosystem. This show creates an opportunity for me to share what I have learned with you as well as introduce you to some of my friends, both new and old who are doing transformative work.

With each episode of Dirt NC my goal is to make sure you walk away learning something new about land use. I promise to keep it simple and straight to the point.

As always, I am grateful that yo

Summary: Tyler and I talk all about growing an architecture media business.

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Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to the Top Five. It’s free if you want it to be!
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Big Take Aways:
- Best advice to architects: Write well, ask better questions.
- Sales is a losing game.
- The challenges and opportunities of growing a media business.

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About Tyler:
Tyler Suomala is the Creator of Growthitect, a weekly newsletter that shares sales & marketing strategies with more than 12k architects.

Connect with Tyler: Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | YouTube

Mentioned in the show:
- Growthitect Podcast
- The Studio
- Growthitect Newsletter

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Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to the Top Five. It’s free if you want it to be!

Show Notes:
Welcome to Dirt NC where we talk all about the places and spaces of North Carolina and the people who make them awesome, I am your host Jed Byrne.

Throughout my career in engineering, construction, finance, and development, I have covered just about all sides of the land use ecosystem. This show creates an opportunity for me to share what I have learned with you as well as introduce you to some of my friends, both new and old who are doing transformative work.

With each episode of Dirt NC my goal is to make sure you walk away learning something new about land use. I promise to keep it simple and straight to the point.

As always, I am grateful that you have chosen to share this time with me! If you have comments/questions/suggestions about Dirt NC or anything land use related you can connect with me on www.oakcitycre.com.

Until next time, Thank you!

Summary: Paul and I talk all about design and its impact on places and spaces.

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Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to the Top Five. It’s free if you want it to be!
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Big Take Aways:
- Design is the communication of an idea or concept.
- The difference between a designer and a creative director.
- The benefits of working with passionate people.

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About Paul:
Paul Tuorto is an independent art director & designer based in Raleigh, NC with a focus on identity and packaging design for hospitality concepts and beyond. 

Paul and his family also own and operate Benny T’s Vesta - a dry hot sauce made by hand for over 15 years.

Connect with Paul: Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Twitter

Mentioned in the show:
- AIGA
- Bob Ranew
- [BOOK] The Art of Noticing

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Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to the Top Five. It’s free if you want it to be!

Show Notes:
Welcome to Dirt NC where we talk all about the places and spaces of North Carolina and the people who make them awesome, I am your host Jed Byrne.

Throughout my career in engineering, construction, finance, and development, I have covered just about all sides of the land use ecosystem. This show creates an opportunity for me to share what I have learned with you as well as introduce you to some of my friends, both new and old who are doing transformative work.

With each episode of Dirt NC my goal is to make sure you walk away learning something new about land use. I promise to keep it simple and straight to the point.

As always, I am grateful that you have chosen to share this time with me! If you have comments/questions/suggestions about Dirt NC or anything land use related you can connect with me on www.oakcitycre.com.

Until next time, Thank you!

Summary: Sam and I talk all about chocolate and golf and the challenges of entrepreneurship!

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Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to the Top Five. It’s free if you want it to be!
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Big Take Aways:
- How Sam had to pivot from his original business plan.
- How golf relates to life.
- The power of blind foolish courage.

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About Sam:
Sam Ratto’s path to the craft of making bean-to-bar chocolate started behind the wheel of a 40-foot RV. Sam used to drive that RV around America slanging skate shoes to skateboarders, surfers, snowboarders and dirt bike racers. But when Sam lost that job in the Great Recession of 2008, he relocated to Raleigh and found a part-time job roasting cacao beans for a local chocolate maker. Sam fell in love with the art and science of making bean-to-bar chocolate from sorting to roasting, grinding and tempering. He quickly started day dreaming of opening his own chocolate factory. 

In 2011, Sam opened Videri Chocolate Factory in downtown Raleigh, joining the ranks of the less than two dozen bean-to-bar chocolate makers in the country at the time. Videri chocolate is made with the finest cocoa beans, cocoa butter and organic cane sugar. The company does not use artificial flavorings or fillers, such as soy lecithin, xanthan gum and emulsifiers. All ingredients are thoughtfully procured, using sustainable purchasing standards. Videri’s production facility is allergy friendly and the chocolates are made without tree nuts, peanuts, eggs, soy or gluten. 

Since 2014, Videri has won eight Good Food Awards for its chocolate bars and confections; the awards honor superior tasting products made by companies that demonstrate social and environmental responsibility. Its 4,000 square-foot facility in Raleigh’s Warehouse District is home to a small batch chocolate factory, coffee shop and chocolate shop. In 2023, Videri was named one of the 10 best chocolate shops in the country by USA Today. For five years in a row, Videri has been named Best Chocolate in the Triangle in the annual readers’ poll by Indy Week. Videri has also been featured in GQ, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Southern Living, Garden & Gun, Condé Nast Traveler, The Associated Press, Our State Magazine, North Carolina Weekend and many more. 

In 2017, the Triangle Business Journal named Ratto one of its 40 under 40 winners, which honors outstanding professionals under the age of 40 for their contributions to their organizations and to the community. In 2019, Ratto was honored by the publication in its annual CEO of the Year awards. The company has more than 20 employees and its products are available for purchase at its Raleigh location, online and at various retailers in eight states. More info: viderichocolatefactory.com. 

In 2024, he opened Golf Golf Golf Indoor golf lounge & club. Venturing into the golf space has always been a dream and now it is a reality for Sam Ratto. Swing on by, have a beer, high five your pals and have a blast.

Connect with Sam: Videri Chocolate Factory | Golf Golf Golf | LinkedIn | Instagram 

Mentioned in the show:
Uncommon C

Summary: Joe and I talk about value per acre, tax policy, and trees.

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Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to the Top Five. It’s free if you want it to be!
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Big Take Aways:
- The importance of having empathy for your audience.
- The power of data visualization.
- The history and growth of Joe’s firm.

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About Joe:
Joe Minicozzi is an urban planner imagining new ways to think about and visualize land use, urban design and economics. Joe founded Urban3 to explain and visualize market dynamics created by tax and land use policies. Urban3's work establishes new conversations across multiple professional sectors, policy makers, and the public to creatively address the challenges of urbanization. Urban3’s extensive studies range geographically over 30 states, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

Joe holds a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Miami and Master of Architecture and Urban Design from Harvard University. In 2017, Joe was recognized as one of the 100 Most Influential Urbanists of all time.

Connect with Joe: Website | LinkedIn 

Mentioned in the show:
- https://www.strongtowns.org/urban3
- Not Just Bikes

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Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to the Top Five. It’s free if you want it to be!

Show Notes:
Welcome to Dirt NC where we talk all about the places and spaces of North Carolina and the people who make them awesome, I am your host Jed Byrne.

Throughout my career in engineering, construction, finance, and development, I have covered just about all sides of the land use ecosystem. This show creates an opportunity for me to share what I have learned with you as well as introduce you to some of my friends, both new and old who are doing transformative work.

With each episode of Dirt NC my goal is to make sure you walk away learning something new about land use. I promise to keep it simple and straight to the point.

As always, I am grateful that you have chosen to share this time with me! If you have comments/questions/suggestions about Dirt NC or anything land use related you can connect with me on www.oakcitycre.com.

Until next time, Thank you!

Summary: Bill and I talk about the history of Public Gardens, and the history and future of Sarah P. Duke Gardens. This interview was recorded on September 20th 2024, before Hurricane Helene hit Western North Carolina.

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Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to the Top Five. It’s free if you want it to be!
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Big Take Aways:
- The connection of Public Garden to “Rural” Cemeteries.
- The creation, design, and history of Sarah P. Duke Gardens
- A lot of new vocab words!

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About Bill LeFevre:
Bill LeFevre is executive director of Sarah P. Duke Gardens at Duke University.  His education includes a B.S. in Landscape Design from the University of Connecticut and an M.S. in Public Horticulture Administration as a fellow in the Longwood Graduate Program at the University of Delaware. 

Since being named as Duke Gardens’ first full-time director in 2007, the Gardens has completed over $12,000,000 in capital projects including the Durham Toyama Sister Cities Pavilion and Pine Clouds Mountain Stream in the Ruth Mary Meyer Japanese Garden, the restoration of the Roney Fountain and Mary Duke Biddle Rose Garden, the Piedmont Prairie, and completion of the Charlotte Brody Discovery Garden, a pilot project of the national Sustainable Sites Initiative.  

Bill is currently leading development of the proposed Garden Gateway, a $30 million capital program to redesign the main entry experience and provide much-needed facility expansion and visitor amenities.

In recent years, Duke Gardens has been ranked among the top 10 public gardens in the country and been awarded Horticulture Magazine’s Award for Garden Excellence from the American Public Gardens Association.

Bill is a past president of the American Public Gardens Association, previously served as executive director of Bartram's Garden in Philadelphia and managed the Parks Revitalization Project at the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society following a successful career in commercial landscape construction and service in the United States Navy as a carrier-based air traffic controller. 

Connect with Bill: Website | LinkedIn

Mentioned in the show:
- Mount Auburn Cemetery
- Chelsea Physic Garden
- Bartrams Garden
- PUBLIC GARDEN MAGAZINE
- Allée Definition & Meaning
- https://gardens.duke.edu/
- The Garden Gateway Project
- Join & Give

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Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to the Top Five. It’s free if you want it to be!

Show Notes:
Welcome to Dirt NC where we talk all about the places and spaces of North Carol

Summary: Carolyn and I talk all about the past, present, and future of Research Triangle Park. This interview was recorded on September 19th 2024, before Hurricane Helene hit Western North Carolina.

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Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to the Top Five. It’s free if you want it to be!
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Big Take Aways:
- Discussions around three major Research Triangle Park projects: The Hub, Boxyard RTP, and Frontier.
- What makes Research Triangle Park different from other Research Parks.
- What’s next at Research Triangle Park.

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About Carolyn:
Carolyn Coia joined the Research Triangle Foundation of North Carolina (managing entity of Research Triangle Park) in 2016 and serves as Vice President of Real Estate. In her role, Carolyn has worked in all facets of real estate, including, but not limited to, strategic planning, development finance, due diligence, construction, project management, and leasing overseeing over 800K SF of office, laboratory, and retail development.

In addition to currently operating assets, and serving as the master developer, Carolyn leads developer negotiation and coordination of its 2M SF mixed-use development, phase 1 of Hub RTP – the future downtown of RTP. Hub RTP will, at its completion, be 4-6M SF of mixed-use product. Relative to her work at the Foundation, GlobeSt Real Estate Forum awarded Carolyn with a 2022 Women of Influence award. 

Prior to joining the Foundation, Carolyn worked for a group of companies owned by private equity, where she was heavily involved in acquisition pro forma work, budgeting/forecasting (P&L, BS, SCF) and ad hoc financial modeling for multiple start-up entities. Carolyn holds a B.S. in Finance form Indiana University of Pennsylvania. In her community, Carolyn serves as Governance Chair for the Research Triangle High School Board of Directors, committee member for the CoreNet Programs Committee, committee member for UCREW at TCREW, and serves as a mentor through the local ULI WLI mentor/mentee program. 

Connect with Carolyn: Website | LinkedIn | Instagram 

Mentioned in the show:
- Hub RTP
- Frontier RTP
- Boxyard RTP
- Indiana University of Pennsylvania
- Kendall Square
- Triangle Mobility Hub
- Durham Performing Arts Center

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Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to the Top Five. It’s free if you want it to be!

Show Notes:
Welcome to Dirt NC where we talk all about the places and spaces of North Carolina and the people who make them awesome, I am your host Jed Byrne.

Throughout my caree

Summary: Chuck and I talk about greenway history in Raleigh and the new Peter A. Pappas Real Estate Development Program at NC State University. This interview was recorded on September 9th, 2024, before Hurricane Helene hit Western North Carolina.

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Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to the Top Five. It’s free if you want it to be!
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Big Take Aways:
- Greenway history in Raleigh from 1969 to today.
- Landscapes are what we love in North Carolina.
- The new Real Estate program at NC State, past and future.

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About Chuck:
Chuck Flink is an award-winning author, planner and landscape architect who has completed greenway work in 250 communities, in 35 states, and in Europe, Asia, and South America. 
He is the recipient of four dozen national, regional and local planning and design awards. Chuck is a Fellow in the American Society of Landscape Architects, he is the 2006 Distinguished Alumnus of the NC State University College of Design, 2019 recipient of the NC State University Watauga Medal and 2023 recipient of the ASLA LaGasse Medal.  
Chuck is the author of three books on greenways:  Greenways. A Guide to Planning, Design and Development (1993), Trails for the Twenty First Century (2001), and his most recent book “The Greenway Imperative: Connecting Communities and Landscapes for A Sustainable Future.”  
He currently serves as Director of the Peter A. Pappas Real Estate Development Program at NC State University.

Connect with Chuck: Website | LinkedIn

Mentioned in the show:
- Lewis Clarke Collection at NC State
- William “Bill” Flournoy Papers at NC State
- Raleigh Greenway Storymap
- Razorback Greenway
- NC State College of Design
- Pappas Real Estate Development Program
- [Book] Historic Black Neighborhoods of Raleigh
- Chavis-Dix Strollway
- North Carolina Cross-Triangle Ride

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Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to the Top Five. It’s free if you want it to be!

Show Notes:
Welcome to Dirt NC where we talk all about the places and spaces of North Carolina and the people who make them awesome, I am your host Jed Byrne.

Throughout my career in engineering, construction, finance, and development, I have covered just about all sides of the land use ecosystem. This show creates an opportunity for me to share what I

Summary: Victor and I talk all about urban manufacturing and creativity in Raleigh. This interview was recorded on September 5th, 2024, before Hurricane Helene hit Western North Carolina.

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Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to the Top Five. It’s free if you want it to be!
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Big Take Aways:
- How constraints breed creativity.
- How when you start a business young, you have everything to lose.
- The importance of understanding “enough”.

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About Victor:
Victor Lytvinenko and Sarah Yarborough started Raleigh Denim Workshop in 2007 in their hometown of Raleigh, NC and were inducted to the CFDA(Council of Fashion Designers of America) in 2013. The husband-wife team learned the techniques of traditional American jeansmaking through seeking out a series of informal apprenticeships with factory workers, patternmakers, and mechanics throughout the state. Raleigh Denim Workshop's products are all produced with a focus on design, process, material, and craft. 

The brand has been featured in numerous publications including New York Times, Vogue, and Wallpaper Magazine and sold worldwide at high-end boutiques across the country, London, Amsterdam and Tokyo. 

Sarah and Victor have collaborated on projects with OMA, Patagonia, Kate Spade, John Patrick Organic, Pilsner Urquell – exhibited at Art Basil Miami, and has been designing furniture and upholstery with Bernhardt Design for many years. 

Connect with Victor: Website | LinkedIn | Instagram 

Mentioned in the show:
Council of Fashion Designers of America

[Book] The Good Life: Helen and Scott Nearing's Sixty Years of Self-Sufficient Living 

[Book] Company of One: Why Staying Small Is the Next Big Thing for Business

[Book] Let My People Go Surfing: The Education of a Reluctant Businessman 

[Book] The Braindead Megaphone 

Other interviews with Victor:
Clever Podcast
Nice Work Podcast

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Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to the Top Five. It’s free if you want it to be!

Show Notes:
Welcome to Dirt NC where we talk all about the places and spaces of North Carolina and the people who make them awesome, I am your host Jed Byrne.

Throughout my career in engineering, construction, finance, and development, I have covered just about all sides of the land use ecosystem. This show creates an opportunity for me to share what I have learned with you as well as intr

Summary: Jeremey and I talk all about the tenant rep brokerage process!

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Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to the Top Five. It’s free if you want it to be!
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Big Take Aways:
- The power of placemaking and a long term vision.
- How tenant representation is a “free service”.
- Best advice: have a plan and don’t rush.

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About Jeremy:
A Raleigh native, Jeremy Deckelbaum joined Elm Partners as Vice President in 2021 after working at Trademark Properties for several years. 

Jeremy has a knack for finding off market properties and focuses on investment sales and retail leasing.  Jeremy started his career in finance, which has served him well in both his professional life and in his philanthropic efforts. With a background in corporate sponsorships, partnerships and fundraising, Jeremy has had success building relationships and networking with business leaders. Previously, Jeremy has worked for organizations such as Cohost for NC CEO Forum, NC Football Club, and Teen Cancer America.

Jeremy is an active member in Retail Brokers Network, TCAR, ULI, ICSC and a board member of the Jewish Federation for Greater Raleigh area. Jeremy’s true passion is philanthropy, specifically to organizations dedicated to supporting children and teens. Jeremy was the cofounder of the Beard Gang for the NC State University basketball team that benefitted Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Jeremy and his wife Liza live Downtown and they have a baby boy, Marshall, a daughter, Katherine,  and a dog Butterbean. In his spare time, he enjoys hot yoga, golfing, traveling, supporting the Baltimore Ravens, and being with friends and family. 

Connect with Jeremy: Website | LinkedIn | Instagram

Mentioned in the show:
NCFC
Ideal’s Sandwich and Grocery
Figulina
Raleigh Magazine
Dorthea Dix Park

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Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to the Top Five. It’s free if you want it to be!

Show Notes:
Welcome to Dirt NC where we talk all about the places and spaces of North Carolina and the people who make them awesome, I am your host Jed Byrne.

Throughout my career in engineering, construction, finance, and development, I have covered just about all sides of the land use ecosystem. This show creates an opportunity for me to share what I have learned with you as well as introduce you to some of my friends, both new and old who are doing transformative work.

With each episode of Dirt NC my goal is to make sure you walk away learning something new about land use. I promise to keep it simple and straight to the point.

As always, I am grateful that you have chosen to share this time wit

Summary: Casey and I talk all about Commercial Real Estate Banking. 

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Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to the Top Five. It’s free if you want it to be!
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Big Take Aways:
- Build your team before you need them.
- The process of getting a loan.
- Ladder up to get into commercial real estate investing.

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About Casey:
Casey was born in Danville, Va. but was raised in Yanceyville, NC.  He attended college at NC State University in Raleigh.  After graduating, Casey went into banking as a retail banker for two years but eventually made the shift to commercial banking.  Over the next 13 years, Casey would work for various banks as a commercial lender, in and around Wake County.  In 2015, Casey took a hiatus from banking to pursue another passion of his, cooking.  He spent the next two years cooking around the country and exploring the world through a culinary lens.  In 2017 he returned to Raleigh and commercial banking and most recently joined Carter Bank, where he just celebrated his one year anniversary. 

In his free time, you can still find Casey cooking in restaurants and at home, traveling, and hiking in the Asheville area with his beloved dachshund, Lotti.

Connect with Casey: Website | LinkedIn | Instagram 

Mentioned in the show:
Chef and the Farmer

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Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to the Top Five. It’s free if you want it to be!

Show Notes:
Welcome to Dirt NC where we talk all about the places and spaces of North Carolina and the people who make them awesome, I am your host Jed Byrne.

Throughout my career in engineering, construction, finance, and development, I have covered just about all sides of the land use ecosystem. This show creates an opportunity for me to share what I have learned with you as well as introduce you to some of my friends, both new and old who are doing transformative work.

With each episode of Dirt NC my goal is to make sure you walk away learning something new about land use. I promise to keep it simple and straight to the point.

As always, I am grateful that you have chosen to share this time with me! If you have comments/questions/suggestions about Dirt NC or anything land use related you can connect with me on www.oakcitycre.com.

Until next time, Thank you!

Summary: Brooke and I talk all about Village District and shopping center management and leasing!

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Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to the Top Five. It’s free if you want it to be!
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Big Take Aways:
- Brooke’s journey into the real estate profession.
- Regency’s 33/33/33 “rule” for tenant mix.
- The process for a local tenant leasing space and how they can find success in a shopping center.

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About Brooke:
Experienced real estate professional with a background in both property management and leasing transactions. As the General Manager at Village District with Regency Centers, she currently oversee a 550k sf. premier asset in the heart of Raleigh. By drawing patrons in, maximizing ancillary revenue sources, and leveraging contracts she's able to add value for all parties involved. She has a decade in the industry with a background in both leasing and property management as well as concentrations in real estate with my BSBA and MBA. She currently holds an active salesperson license in the commonwealth of Virginia and a real estate broker’s license in the state of North Carolina. She is a member of CREW/TCREW/PTCREW, ICSC, IREM (ACoM accreditation), The Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce and Young Professionals Network. 

In her spare time she enjoys playing volleyball, running, volunteering as a Big Buddy with Comfort Zone Camp and at CPO Food Bank, reading, and cooking.

Connect with Brooke: Website | LinkedIn | Village District Website

Mentioned in the show:
- Longwood University MBA
- Village District 75th Anniversary
- Regency Center’s Maxi Awards at ICSC (International Council of Shopping Centers)

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Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to the Top Five. It’s free if you want it to be!

Show Notes:
Welcome to Dirt NC where we talk all about the places and spaces of North Carolina and the people who make them awesome, I am your host Jed Byrne.

Throughout my career in engineering, construction, finance, and development, I have covered just about all sides of the land use ecosystem. This show creates an opportunity for me to share what I have learned with you as well as introduce you to some of my friends, both new and old who are doing transformative work.

With each episode of Dirt NC my goal is to make sure you walk away learning something new about land use. I promise to keep it simple and straight to the point.

As always, I am grateful that you have chosen to share this time with me! If you have com

Summary: Megan and I talk all about the process of permitting space for a tenant.

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Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to the Top Five. It’s free if you want it to be!
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Big Take Aways:
- How a client prompted Megan to relocate her life and business to NC.
- The start to finish process for permitting a space in Raleigh.
- Megan’s advice to “swallow the worst case scenario.”

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About Megan:
Megan Kaufmann is the Founder and Principal of KC Studio Inc., an architecture firm specializing in commercial projects. Megan seamlessly manages all facets of the business, including client acquisition, financial oversight, and firm marketing, while leading the design process and providing guidance to her team of architects and designers. Presently licensed in a dozen states, Megan continues to cultivate an impressive portfolio, catering to esteemed clients that include Fortune 500 companies and several major healthcare providers.

Actively engaged in various industry-related organizations, Megan's dedication extends beyond professional endeavors. Her significant contributions to the community have garnered recognition from the Triangle Business Journal, American Institute of Architect’s, and NAIOP Commercial Real Estate Development Association.  She is an active member of the American Institute of Architects, past-Chair for the AIA Triangle’s Women in Architecture, member of NAIOP, TCREW, and serves on the City of Raleigh Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources Department Citizen Advisory Group for John Chavis, John P. Top Greene, and South Park Heritage Walk projects. 

 Connect with Megan: Website | LinkedIn | Instagram

Mentioned in the show:
NCARB - National Council of Architectural Registration Boards
American Institute of Architects (AIA) Triangle - Women in Architecture Task Force

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Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to the Top Five. It’s free if you want it to be!

Show Notes:
Welcome to Dirt NC where we talk all about the places and spaces of North Carolina and the people who make them awesome, I am your host Jed Byrne.

Throughout my career in engineering, construction, finance, and development, I have covered just about all sides of the land use ecosystem. This show creates an opportunity for me to share what I have learned with you as well as introduce you to some of my friends, both new and old who are doing transformative work.

With each episode of Dirt NC my goal is to make sure you walk away learning something new about land use. I promise to keep it simple and straight to the point.

As always, I am grateful that you have chosen to share this time with me! If you have comments/questions/sugg

Summary: Janet and I talk all about what the Conservancy is and what they do!

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Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to the Top Five. It’s free if you want it to be!
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Big Take Aways:
- The difference between the structure of Dix Park and a typical City Park.
- Janet’s career journey and how it corresponds with the Dix Park timeline.
- The current state of the park and upcoming milestones.

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About Janet: 
Janet Cowell is CEO/President of Dix Park Conservancy and a corporate director. She was North Carolina State Treasurer from 2009-2016.

Dix Park Conservancy is a non-profit that works in partnership with the City of Raleigh to create Dorothea Dix Park, a 308-acre site with a dramatic landscape and complex historical legacy one mile from downtown. The Conservancy has raised ~$40 million during her tenure and ~$70 million since inception.

Cowell serves as Lead Independent Director for New Republic Partners, Chair of IFM’s Global Infrastructure Fund Investor Advisory Committee, Chair of Wharton’s Executive Education Board, and Chair of the NC Board of Science, Technology, and Innovation. She helped to found OnBoardNC, a non-profit organization promoting women on boards.

Cowell held publicly elected office in North Carolina for fifteen years, including eight as State Treasurer. The first woman elected Treasurer, she managed over $100 billion in assets, and health and retirement benefits, for over 900,000 members.

Cowell is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and earned her MBA and MA in International Studies from the Wharton School of Business and the Lauder Institute.

Connect with Janet: Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Twitter

Mentioned in the show:
Dix Park Webcam
Stone Houses
Get Involved at Dix Park
Art at Dix - Attun
Email Janet - Janet.Cowell@dixparkconservancy.org
Email Nick - Nick.neptune@dixparkconservancy.org

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Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to the Top Five. It’s free if you want it to be!

Show Notes:
Welcome to Dirt NC where we talk all about the places and spaces of North Carolina and the people who make them awesome, I am your host Jed Byrne.

Throughout my career in engineering, construction, finance, and development, I have covered just about all sides of the land use ecosystem. This show creates an opportunity for me to share what I have learned with you as well

Summary: Anthony and I talk all about the process of opening a local business and hatch a new business idea for a local restaurant venture fund!

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Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to the Top Five. It’s free if you want it to be!
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Big Take Aways:
- The brutal process of opening a restaurant.
- How a “Restaurant Venture Capital” model could work.
- The benefits of offering a ladder of options and being “Best in Class” from $30 per meal to $3,000 per meal!

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About Anthony: Fortunate enough to marry his wife Brett in 2015 and has been incredibly lucky ever since. Opened Oakwood Pizza Box in 2017 on a hope and a prayer. In a previous life Anthony spent time running some fancy restaurants throughout Raleigh, but most certainly prefers Champagne and Square pizzas. Currently obsessed with opening restaurant projects for young hospitality professionals so we can enjoy a more vibrant restaurant scene and they can experience the magic of entrepreneurship. Graduate of UNC Chapel Hill. Three Kids and a golden retriever named Pierre make sure there's never a dull moment. 

Connect with Anthony: Website | Instagram | 

Mentioned in the show:
- Ted Williams science of hitting poster

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Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to the Top Five. It’s free if you want it to be!

Show Notes:
Welcome to Dirt NC where we talk all about the places and spaces of North Carolina and the people who make them awesome, I am your host Jed Byrne.

Throughout my career in engineering, construction, finance, and development, I have covered just about all sides of the land use ecosystem. This show creates an opportunity for me to share what I have learned with you as well as introduce you to some of my friends, both new and old who are doing transformative work.

With each episode of Dirt NC my goal is to make sure you walk away learning something new about land use. I promise to keep it simple and straight to the point.

As always, I am grateful that you have chosen to share this time with me! If you have comments/questions/suggestions about Dirt NC or anything land use related you can connect with me on www.oakcitycre.com.

Until next time, Thank you!

Summary: Jamie and I talk all about what a land use attorney is and why they are important to the development process. 

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Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to the Top Five. It’s free if you want it to be!
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Big Take Aways:
- How Jamie went from studying architecture to becoming a landscape architect to becoming a lawyer.
- The importance of an entrepreneurial mindset and advice for being an entrepreneur within a larger organization.
- “Raleigh, fundamentally friendly”
- Jamie’s favorite podcasts

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About Jamie Schwedler: 
Jamie is a land use attorney practicing with Parker Poe.  She regularly advises developers and landowners on a full range of real property and development matters. 

Her representation has included zoning requests for large land development projects and infill sites, conducting due diligence and entitlement review on real estate acquisitions, navigating local and state regulations affecting development, and analyzing legal issues of transportation and infrastructure improvements.

Connect with Jamie: Website | LinkedIn

Mentioned in the show:
- Dirt NC episode with Ken Bowers
- Dirt NC episode with Paul Zarian
- [Podcast] WorkLife with Adam Grant
- [Podcast] Leading Voices in Real Estate with Matt Slepin
- [Podcast] Dear HBR - Harvard Business Review
- [Podcast] The Working Mothers Mentor with Julie Finn 

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Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to the Top Five. It’s free if you want it to be!

Show Notes:
Welcome to Dirt NC where we talk all about the places and spaces of North Carolina and the people who make them awesome, I am your host Jed Byrne.

Throughout my career in engineering, construction, finance, and development, I have covered just about all sides of the land use ecosystem. This show creates an opportunity for me to share what I have learned with you as well as introduce you to some of my friends, both new and old who are doing transformative work.

With each episode of Dirt NC my goal is to make sure you walk away learning something new about land use. I promise to keep it simple and straight to the point.

As always, I am grateful that you have chosen to share this time with me! If you have comments/questions/suggestions about Dirt NC or anything land use related you can connect with me on www.oakcit

Summary: Stephen and I talk all about the City of Raleigh Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources.

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Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to the Top Five. It’s free if you want it to be!
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Big Take Aways:
- Stephen's journey from a focus on physical education to leading a team of 1,800 (seasonal peak) team members
- How the department is funded.
- The value of an ethic of conservation.
- How the Raleigh Greenway system encompasses over 4,000 acres of land.

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About Stephen C. Bentley: 
Stephen C. Bentley is the Director of the City of Raleigh Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department and part of the City’s Management Team. With a career spanning over 20 years, he has worked for public park agencies at the federal, state and local levels of government. 

As Director of the Raleigh Parks Department, he is responsible for overseeing the mission, vision and equitable values of Raleigh’s system. For more than a decade, Stephen has worked with elected officials, community and business leaders on approximately $350M in park and recreation improvements across the City. Stephen has extensive experience in public park planning, community engagement, public space design, funding and public-private partnership strategies. 

The values that guide Stephen’s work include collaboration, inclusion and empowerment. 

Stephen has a bachelor’s degree from East Stroudsburg University in Recreation and Leisure Services Management in Pennsylvania and received his master’s degree in Parks, Recreation and Tourism Administration from Michigan State University. He holds certificates from National Recreation and Park Association’s (NRPA) Directors School, North Carolina State University Natural Resources Leadership Institute, and the University of North Carolina Municipal Administrators Program. 

Stephen is active in several national organizations and local nonprofits supporting efforts for everyone to live a healthy life.

Connect with Stephen: Website | LinkedIn 

Mentioned in the show:
City of Raleigh Museum
Raleigh Urban Forestry
Raleigh Parks Board
Raleigh Parks Newsletter - MyRaleigh Subscriptions 
Recless Podcast
Podcast Raleigh: Ernest Dollar, City of Raleigh Museum

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Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development you can

Summary: Travis and I talk all about the process of building out a tenant space!

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Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to the Top Five. It’s free if you want it to be!
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Big Take Aways:
- The importance of finding a good “fit” in your GC. Interview them like you would an employee.
- Travis’s journey from being a Radio Host to a General Contractor.
- The importance of learning to read your own plans.
-  The overall timeline and process for a tenant upfit.
- The value of spending money on good plans.

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About Travis:
Travis is the Director of Commercial Construction for Williams Realty & Building Co., Inc.  He has been with Williams for going on ten years.  Travis is a native of the area, born and raised in Apex, and  a proud graduate of NC State. 

Connect with Travis: Website | LinkedIn 

Mentioned in the show:
- WKNC 88.1 FM - North Carolina State University Radio

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Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to the Top Five. It’s free if you want it to be!

Show Notes:
Welcome to Dirt NC where we talk all about the places and spaces of North Carolina and the people who make them awesome, I am your host Jed Byrne.

Throughout my career in engineering, construction, finance, and development, I have covered just about all sides of the land use ecosystem. This show creates an opportunity for me to share what I have learned with you as well as introduce you to some of my friends, both new and old who are doing transformative work.

With each episode of Dirt NC my goal is to make sure you walk away learning something new about land use. I promise to keep it simple and straight to the point.

As always, I am grateful that you have chosen to share this time with me! If you have comments/questions/suggestions about Dirt NC or anything land use related you can connect with me on www.oakcitycre.com.

Until next time, Thank you!

Summary: Anthony and I talk all about his path to development, development process, and the new Forge Apartments from on site at Raleigh Iron Works.

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Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to the Top Five. It’s free if you want it to be!
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Big Take Aways:
- A greenway system, like a chain, is only as strong as its weakest link.
- The challenges and opportunities of adaptive reuse development.
- The importance of having grace with critique and the impact of constraints.

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About Anthony:
Anthony Smithson manages ongoing development and construction activities at Grubb Ventures, including many of our award-winning multifamily communities and mixed-use commercial projects.

He began his career in commercial real estate as an Investment Analyst and Project Manager for Grubb Properties, where he managed the repositioning of several office portfolios and the development and construction of multifamily communities in North Carolina. Prior to transitioning into commercial real estate, Anthony worked as a structural engineer, designing office buildings, mixed-use developments, multifamily communities, and retail centers.

In 2011, Anthony earned his MBA, with concentrations in investment finance and real estate, from Babson College in Wellesley, Massachusetts, and he holds a B.S. in Civil Engineering from the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.  

Connect with Anthony: Website | LinkedIn | Instagram

Mentioned in the show:
- Modpools
- Forge at Raleigh Iron Works
- Book: Ann Lamott - Bird By Bird
- Book: Christopher Alexander - A Pattern Language
- Book: Keith Ferrazzi - Never Eat Alone
- Book: Yvon Chouinard - Let My People Go Surfing
- Book: Roman Mars - The 99% Invisible City
- Book: Robert Caro - The Power Broker

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Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to the Top Five. It’s free if you want it to be!

Show Notes:
Welcome to Dirt NC where we talk all about the places and spaces of North Carolina and the people who make them awesome, I am your host Jed Byrne.

Throughout my career in engineering, construction, finance, and development, I have covered just about all sides of the land use ecosystem. This show creates an opportunity for me to share what I have learned with you as well as introduce you to some of my friends, both new and old who are doing transformative work

Summary: Phil and I talk all about Transportation Engineering and Design.
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Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to the Top Five. It’s free if you want it to be!
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Big Take Aways:
- Multimodal transportation engineering: What is it? Why is it important?
- Breakdown of industry jargon and acronyms: VMT, LOS, VHOD…
- The importance of starting with a sketch.

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About Phil: 
Phil Veasley is a Professional Engineer with Toole Design Group working to design safer multimodal infrastructure in cities throughout the US. Outside of the 9-5, his goal is to create cites that are safe and effective for all people to move about outside of cars. Whether it’s written articles, sketches, YouTube videos, or just starting a conversation on Twitter Phil is always spreading ideas focus on creating equitable, dense, and vibrant cities full of walkable neighborhoods. 

Connect with Phil: Website | LinkedIn | YouTube | Twitter

Mentioned in the show:
- philveasley.com

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Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to the point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to the Top Five. It’s free if you want it to be!

Show Notes:
Welcome to Dirt NC where we talk all about the places and spaces of North Carolina and the people who make them awesome, I am your host Jed Byrne.

Throughout my career in engineering, construction, finance, and development, I have covered just about all sides of the land use ecosystem. This show creates an opportunity for me to share what I have learned with you as well as introduce you to some of my friends, both new and old who are doing transformative work.

With each episode of Dirt NC my goal is to make sure you walk away learning something new about land use. I promise to keep it simple and straight to the point.

As always, I am grateful that you have chosen to share this time with me! If you have comments/questions/suggestions about Dirt NC or anything land use related you can connect with me on www.oakcitycre.com.

Until next time, Thank you!

Summary: Dave and I talk all about how he got into academia and helped build the UNC Real Estate Program!
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Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to the Top Five. It’s free if you want it to be!
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Big Take Aways:
- The power of mentors and exposure.
- How Dave went from an experimental high school to the birth of Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities on Wall Street to UNC for 36 years.
- How Dave helped grow the Kenan-Flagler Business School real estate program from a department of two to a conference of 900+.

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About Dave: 
Dave Hartzell has been a faculty member at the Kenan-Flagler Business School at The University of North Carolina since July 1988, where he has taught thousands of students in finance and real estate courses in the undergraduate, MBA, Ph.D. and Executive Education Programs. He has also served for most of his years at UNC as the coordinator of the Real Estate Concentration within the UNC MBA Program, and as the Senior Director of the Wood Center for Real Estate Studies (www.realestate.unc.edu). He is the founding faculty advisor and an Investment Committee member for the student-managed UNC Real Estate Investment Funds.

Dave serves on the Board of Directors of Highwoods Properties, where he sits on the Investment Committee and the Audit Committee, and was a former Vice President at Salomon Brothers Inc. in New York. His first academic appointment was at the University of Texas at Austin.

He received his PhD in Finance from the Business School at UNC-Chapel Hill and his MA and BS in economics from the University of Delaware, where he was a multi-year starter on the Division I Blue Hen soccer team. He has won several teaching and service awards at the University of Texas and at UNC, the Distinguished Alumni Award from Lerner School of Business at the U. of Delaware (2000), and the North Carolina Youth Soccer Coach of the year (2000).

Most importantly, Dave is married to his high school sweetheart (Randee) and they are the proud parents of two grown children (Jamie and David), and grandparents to two grandsons and two granddaughters.

Connect with Dave: Website | LinkedIn 

Mentioned in the show:
- Business School Expansion Project
- Movie: It’s a Wonderful Life
- Urban Land Institute (ULI)
- National Council of Real Estate Investment Fiduciaries (NCREIF) 

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Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to the Top Five. It’s free if you want it to be!

Show Notes:
Welcome to Dirt NC where we talk all about the places and spaces of North Car

Summary: 
Chris and I discuss exhibit design and construction at Marbles!

Big Take Aways:
-The difference between goldsmithing and silversmithing.
- The power of “we didn’t know what we didn’t know.”
- Exhibits as “working prototypes.”

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About Chris: 
Chris Alexander is the Vice President of Exhibits at Marbles Kids Museum in Raleigh, NC. 
His passion for designing and fabricating playful and engaging learning environments is driven by his curious nature, desire to problem solve, and the unique challenge of designing for a young and diverse audience. 
After receiving a BID in Industrial Design from the NC State College of Design in 1993, Chris helped found the Antfarm Studios- a still operational creative collective for artists and designers in Raleigh's Boylan Heights. It was during this time that under the mentorship of acclaimed Goldsmith Mary Ann Scherr, that Chris continued his education in design by exploring metalwork through jewelry as inspiriting and interactive wearable objects. 
The ability to play with scale, material, color, and whimsy eventually led him to his current work with Marbles creating exhibits that spark imagination, discovery and learning through play. Chris continues to engage and collaborate with the creative community in Raleigh, he has taught Design Camp sessions at the College of Design at North Carolina State University, and Metalsmithing at Meredith College as well as Penland School of Crafts. He has spoken on “Fear and Failure in Design” at Hopscotch Design fest. Chris designed and built his home employing adaptive reuse techniques to blend modern design with existing traditional structures. 
Most importantly, Chris is doting father to his daughter, Tess and husband to wife Emily. 
He believes in the power of play to transform children’s lives, and the power of design to create extraordinary experiences for children, families and communities. 

Connect with Chris: Website | LinkedIn 

Mentioned in the show:
- Mary Ann Scherr
- NCSU College of Design
- Antfarm Studios
- Giving at Marbles

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Show Notes:
Welcome to Dirt NC where we talk all about the places and spaces of North Carolina and the people who make them awesome, I am your host Jed Byrne.

Throughout my career in engineering, construction, finance, and development, I have covered just about all sides of the land use ecosystem. This show creates an opportunity for me to share what I have learned with you as well as introduce you to some of my friends, both new and old who are doing transformative work.

With each episode of Dirt NC my goal is to make sure you walk away learning something new about land use. I promise to keep it simple and straight to the point.

As always, I am grateful that you have chosen to share this time with me! If you have comments/questions/suggestions about Dirt NC or anything land use related you can find me on twitter at @OakCityCRE and if you want a simple and to the point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to The Top Five, my free weekly newsletter at

Summary: 
Brian and I talk all about his career history and how to make big ideas a reality. We also introduce a new segment, the “$100M Challenge.”

Big Take Aways:
- What would Brian do with $100M?
- I learned about the practice of “slugging in.”
- “If you want advice, ask for a job. If you want a job, ask for advice.”
- What is the secret to sales success? Curiosity.

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About Brian: 
Brian Leary joined Highwoods Properties as executive vice president and chief operating officer in 2019. In this role, he has direct oversight of Highwoods’ eight geographic divisions as well as the development and marketing teams. Brian is ensuring Highwoods’ 28+ million square foot portfolio provides a compelling and competitive advantage to its occupants to return, retain and recruit the best and brightest talent. 

Preceding Highwoods, Brian served as president of Crescent Communities’ commercial and mixed-use business unit from 2014 to 2019 - where he relaunched the commercial division and directed the company’s office, industrial and retail development across the country.

Prior to joining Crescent, Brian held senior management and executive positions with Jacoby Development, Inc., Atlanta Beltline, Inc., AIG Global Real Estate, Atlantic Station, LLC and Central Atlanta Progress. As the managing director of Jacoby Development, a national developer of corporate, mixed-use and retail projects, he launched ONE Daytona, a 4.5-million square foot joint venture with International Speedway Corp. Previously Brian served as president and CEO of Atlanta Beltline, Inc., ‐ the organization executing the implementation of the BeltLine, one of the largest, most wide-ranging urban redevelopment projects in the United States. When complete, the $3B+ project will provide a network of public parks, multi-use trails, transit, public art and thousands of units of housing along a historic 22-mile railroad corridor circling Atlanta.

Brian is a graduate of Georgia Tech’s College of Architecture with an undergraduate degree in architecture with minor concentrations in land development and real estate, and in addition, holds a master’s degree in City Planning from Georgia Tech. While focusing on transportation and land development in graduate school, he finished a redevelopment plan for the Atlantic Steel property that would provide the basis for Atlantic Station. 

Brian, his wife and their two daughters reside in the City of Raleigh.

Connect with Brian: Website | LinkedIn | Twitter

Mentioned in the show:
- [BOOK] Where Good Ideas Come From
- [BOOK] The Power of Moments
- Slugging - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slugging

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Show Notes:
Welcome to Dirt NC where we talk all about the places and spaces of North Carolina and the people who make them awesome, I am your host Jed Byrne.

Throughout my career in engineering, construction, finance, and development, I have covered just about all sides of the land use ecosystem. This show creates an opportunity for me to share what I have learned with you as well as introduce you to some of my  friends, both new and old who are doing transformativ

Summary: In this episode Justin and I talk about the built environment from a journalist's perspective. 

Big Take Aways:
- The power of curiosity.
- The benefits of institutional journalism compared to self-published media.
- Trust = Presence
- Why local issues are great because not only do they affect you, but you can have an effect on them!

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About Justin Laidlaw:
Justin Laidlaw is a journalist born, raised and currently stationed in Durham, North Carolina. He is the founder of multimedia storytelling company Buddy Ruski. In 2023, he was selected as an INDY Week Reporting Fellow. 

Connect with Justin: Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Twitter

Mentioned in the show:
The Buddy Ruski Show Podcast
By The Horns
INDY Week by Justin Laidlaw
Durham City Council Calendar
Raleigh City Council Meeting Series

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Show Notes:
Welcome to Dirt NC where we talk all about the places and spaces of North Carolina and the people who make them awesome, I am your host Jed Byrne.

Throughout my career in engineering, construction, finance, and development, I have covered just about all sides of the land use ecosystem. This show creates an opportunity for me to share what I have learned with you as well as introduce you to some of my  friends, both new and old who are doing transformative work.

With each episode of Dirt NC my goal is to make sure you walk away learning something new about land use. I promise to keep it simple and straight to the point.

As always, I am grateful that you have chosen to share this time with me! If you have comments/questions/suggestions about Dirt NC or anything land use related you can find me on twitter at @OakCityCRE and if you want a simple and to the point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to The Top Five, my free weekly newsletter at www.oakcitycre.com 

Until next time, Thank you!

Summary: Paul and I talk about mixed-use development and innovation in real estate.

Big Take Aways:
- How growing up with “shades of beige” and a desire to deliver a unique project led to Paul's career in development.
- The “100 Points” you need to score to get a real estate job.
- The power of partnership, high standards, and symbiotic mixed-use development.

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About Paul:
Paul is responsible for development and acquisitions for Hines in North Carolina. In this role, he provides market leadership to determine investment strategy, coordinate with Hines’ functional experts and internal funds, and source, capitalize, and execute Hines’ projects across all product types.

Since joining Hines in 2016, Paul has been involved in the development and acquisition of more than 2.5 million square feet of property across mixed-use, multifamily, office, and retail product types totaling over $1 billion. He has led the execution of the firm’s village creation strategy which culminated in the delivery of the first phase of Fenton, a multi-phased, vertically integrated mixed-use village in Cary, the development of the Market District at American Tobacco in Durham, and the acquisition of Waverly Place in Cary. Prior to opening Hines’ North Carolina office, Paul was involved with the development of Hines’ multifamily and mixed-use projects in Florida.  Before joining Hines, Paul spent four years at Amstar, a Denver-based real estate private equity fund.

Paul holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics from Duke University, where he was captain of the Swimming and Diving team, and received a Master of Business Administration from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. 

Connect with Paul/Hines: Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Twitter

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Show Notes:
Welcome to Dirt NC where we talk all about the places and spaces of North Carolina and the people who make them awesome, I am your host Jed Byrne.

Throughout my career in engineering, construction, finance, and development, I have covered just about all sides of the land use ecosystem. This show creates an opportunity for me to share what I have learned with you as well as introduce you to some of my friends, both new and old who are doing transformative work.

With each episode of Dirt NC my goal is to make sure you walk away learning something new about land use. I promise to keep it simple and straight to the point.

As always, I am grateful that you have chosen to share this time with me! If you have comments/questions/suggestions about Dirt NC or anything land use related you can find me on Twitter at @OakCityCRE and if you want a simple and to the point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to The Top Five, my free weekly newsletter at www.oakcitycre.com 

Until next time, Thank you!

Summary: Damon and I talk all about adaptive reuse and Camp North End!

Big Take Aways:
- The importance of being present and noticing space.
- What is a guerilla wedding?
- The power of thinking about projects from a people-first perspective rather than building-first or finance-first.

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About Damon: 
Damon Hemmerdinger is Co-President of ATCO, the owner and developer of Camp North End. He first visited this property in early 2014, and closed on the purchase in late 2016. 

Camp was “his idea,” and he supports the project team in all aspects of the work to develop the project. 

In addition, Damon leads ATCO’s investment and development business, oversees its finance and accounting function, and manages its strategic and corporate affairs. 

In addition to its work in Charlotte, ATCO is actively developing four projects in Austin TX and operates a portfolio of office and residential property in New York City. 

He graduated from Williams College and Yale Law School. He, his wife, and their two daughters live in the Forest Hills Gardens neighborhood of Queens, NY.

Connect with Damon: Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Twitter

Mentioned in the show:
Catfiddle Street - Charleston, SC

[BOOK] Learning from Bryant Park
[BOOK] The Power of Moments

NYAD on Netflix

Sagrada Familia
Camp North End

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Show Notes:
Welcome to Dirt NC where we talk all about the places and spaces of North Carolina and the people who make them awesome, I am your host Jed Byrne.

Throughout my career in engineering, construction, finance, and development, I have covered just about all sides of the land use ecosystem. This show creates an opportunity for me to share what I have learned with you as well as introduce you to some of my  f

Summary: Topher and I talk all about Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and belonging.

Big Take Aways:
- The power of curiosity and how things fit.
- Topher’s journey from teacher to developer.
- How the built environment shapes our imagination.
- The importance of an abundance mindset.

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About Topher:
Topher Thomas is a Haitian-American born and raised in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. He started his career as a high school chemistry teacher there, and taught for 3 years, before moving to Wake Forest, NC to earn a Master's in Education and Counseling from Southeastern Seminary. 

While in seminary, he continued his teaching career at the middle school level and was teaching English to Chinese students online. After completing his master's degree, he began teaching Theology and Servant Leadership at Trinity School of Durham. 

While teaching there he founded an equitable housing company called Coram Houses, committed to creative housing solutions for vulnerable peoples, and creating capital access for underinvested groups. 

He has a wife named Abbi, and 2 daughters, Violet and Margot. 

He’s motivated by breaking cycles of injustice and continues to teach high school and advocates for restorative affordable housing development.

Connect with Topher: Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Twitter

Mentioned in the show:
[Book] Poverty, by America
[Book] Brave New Home
[Book] Race for Profit
[Book] The Color of Law
[Book] Evicted

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Show Notes:
Welcome to Dirt NC where we talk all about the places and spaces of North Carolina and the people who make them awesome, I am your host Jed Byrne.

Throughout my career in engineering, construction, finance, and development, I have covered just about all sides of the land use ecosystem. This show creates an opportunity for me to share what I have learned with you as well as introduce you to some of my  friends, both new and old who are doing transformative work.

With each episode of Dirt NC my goal is to make sure you walk away learning something new about land use. I promise to keep it simple and straight to the point.

As always, I am grateful that you have chosen to share this time with me! If you have comments/questions/suggestions about Dirt NC or anything land use related you can find me on twitter at @OakCityCRE and if you want a simple and to the point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to The Top Five, my free weekly newsletter at www.oakcitycre.com 

Until next time, Thank you!

Summary: Brent and I talk about all things robotics and the framing of houses!

Big Take Aways:
- How seeing a group of unhoused folks led to BotBuilt’s mission.
- What is computer vision (CV)?
- How BotBuilt is tackling cost, speed, and safety.
- The importance of and opportunities for collaboration in the AEC industry.

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About Brent Wadas: 
BotBuilt is revolutionizing the building process and solving the labor crisis in construction through flexible, precise robotic systems, proprietary hardware, and cutting-edge software. BotBuilt uses the latest technology to implement advanced motion planning with computer vision to build a more sustainable future for construction, forever changing the way the world builds with automation. 

Brent Wadas and his wife Christy have two wonderful daughters. He founded BotBuilt along with his two business partners Barrett Ames and Colin Devine. Before becoming the CEO and Chairman of BotBuilt, Brent enjoyed success with his investment firm and a SaaS company creating automated processes for business CRM technology. In between civilian adventures, Brent was an officer in the US Army, deploying with Special Operations units alongside the bravest men and women from around the world. He currently resides in Pinehurst, North Carolina, and is dedicated to building the future of robotics and construction. 

Connect with Brent: Website | LinkedIn | Twitter

Mentioned in the show:
BotBuilt explainer video
Email Brent Wadas
Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) Wikipedia
Y Combinator

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Show Notes: Welcome to Dirt NC where we talk all about the places and spaces of North Carolina and the people who make them awesome, I am your host Jed Byrne.

Throughout my career in engineering, construction, finance, and development, I have covered just about all sides of the land use ecosystem. This show creates an opportunity for me to share what I have learned with you as well as introduce you to some of my  friends, both new and old who are doing transformative work.

With each episode of Dirt NC my goal is to make sure you walk away learning something new about land use. I promise to keep it simple and straight to the point.

As always, I am grateful that you have chosen to share this time with me! If you have comments/questions/suggestions about Dirt NC or anything land use related you can find me on twitter at @OakCityCRE and if you want a simple and to the point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to The Top Five, my free weekly newsletter at www.oakcitycre.com 

Until next time, Thank you!

Summary: Mary and I talk about all things Planning and Transportation in Raleigh, NC!

Big Take Aways:
- The impact of a bicycling culture on bicycling as a mode of transportation.
- Different ways to get involved in Transportation Advocacy in Raleigh.
- The importance of convening people.
- The power and impact of E-Bikes.
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About Mary Sell: 
Mary Sell is the Planning and Transportation Manager with Downtown Raleigh Alliance. Previously Mary was the Executive Director at Oaks and Spokes, an advocacy organization to advance a more sustainable and equitable transportation system in Raleigh. Mary is committed to working to advance solutions to enable Raleigh to become more resilient and a leader on climate. She loves calling Raleigh home and working within our community to advance solutions to create a vibrant and thriving environment for Downtown Raleigh. You can regularly find her in the bike lane with her family riding to enjoy a local spot in Downtown Raleigh. 

Connect with Mary: Website | LinkedIn | Twitter

Mentioned in the show:
Oaks and Spokes
DTRaleigh Community
Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Commission (BPAC)
City of Raleigh Boards and Commissions
(BOOK) This is where you Belong: Borrow/Buy

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Show Notes: Welcome to Dirt NC where we talk all about the places and spaces of North Carolina and the people who make them awesome, I am your host Jed Byrne.

Throughout my career in engineering, construction, finance, and development, I have covered just about all sides of the land use ecosystem. This show creates an opportunity for me to share what I have learned with you as well as introduce you to some of my  friends, both new and old who are doing transformative work.

With each episode of Dirt NC my goal is to make sure you walk away learning something new about land use. I promise to keep it simple and straight to the point.

As always, I am grateful that you have chosen to share this time with me! If you have comments/questions/suggestions about Dirt NC or anything land use related you can find me on twitter at @OakCityCRE and if you want a simple and to the point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to The Top Five, my free weekly newsletter at www.oakcitycre.com 

Until next time, Thank you!

Summary: Clayton and I talk about his transition from the media industry into commercial brokerage. Oh, and his connection to Taylor Swift.

Big Take Aways:

• What is “Occupier Services”?
• Building relationships in a new market and new industry.
• The “flight to experience” in the office market.

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About Clayton: Clayton is a member of the market-leading CBRE|Raleigh Occupier Services team where he drives creative strategies to support the needs of office and life science occupiers. Serving in leadership positions on three boards and with involvement in many other non-profits, Clayton is an active member of the Triangle community with a heart for helping others.

Connect with Clayton: Website | LinkedIn | Instagram

Mentioned in the show:

Daily Dad Newsletter - Ryan Holiday

The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry  - Comer

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Show Notes: Welcome to Dirt NC where we talk all about the places and spaces of North Carolina and the people who make them awesome, I am your host Jed Byrne.

Throughout my career in engineering, construction, finance, and development, I have covered just about all sides of the land use ecosystem. This show creates an opportunity for me to share what I have learned with you as well as introduce you to some of my friends, both new and old who are doing transformative work.

With each episode of Dirt NC my goal is to make sure you walk away learning something new about land use. I promise to keep it simple and straight to the point.

As always, I am grateful that you have chosen to share this time with me! If you have comments/questions/suggestions about Dirt NC or anything land use related you can find me on Twitter at @OakCityCRE and if you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to The Top Five, my free weekly newsletter at www.oakcitycre.com 

Until next time, Thank you!

Summary: Bill and I chat about the history of Downtown Raleigh Alliance, the state of Downtown Raleigh, and changes in the public realm.

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About Bill: Bill King is the President & CEO of the Downtown Raleigh Alliance, a nonprofit devoted to advancing the vitality of downtown for everyone. At DRA, Bill leads a team that provides economic development, marketing & communications, events, problem solving, and safety patrol services for the downtown area. 

DRA has recruited storefront businesses, hosts regular promotions and activations such as Downtown Restaurant Week, First Friday and Moore Square Market, and provides policy advocacy on behalf of downtown stakeholders. 

Prior to this role, Bill served as DRA's lead economic developer, helping to recruit grocery stores to downtown Raleigh and authoring the State of Downtown report. He also worked in Washington, D.C. as a policy analyst and investigator for Congress in areas of economic development, transportation, financial oversight and nuclear nonproliferation. 

Bill has degrees from the University of Georgia in history and public administration and from UNC-Chapel Hill in urban planning. 

Connect with Bill: Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Twitter

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Show Notes: Welcome to Dirt NC where we talk all about the places and spaces of North Carolina and the people who make them awesome, I am your host Jed Byrne.

Throughout my career in engineering, construction, finance, and development, I have covered just about all sides of the land use ecosystem. This show creates an opportunity for me to share what I have learned with you as well as introduce you to some of my  friends, both new and old who are doing transformative work.

With each episode of Dirt NC my goal is to make sure you walk away learning something new about land use. I promise to keep it simple and straight to the point.

As always, I am grateful that you have chosen to share this time with me! If you have comments/questions/suggestions about Dirt NC or anything land use related you can find me on twitter at @OakCityCRE and if you want a simple and to the point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to The Top Five, my free weekly newsletter at www.oakcitycre.com 

Until next time, Thank you!

Summary: Ken and I have a wide-ranging conversation about all things Raleigh Planning and Development in the City of Raleigh.

Big takeaways include:
- How zoning can only say what can and can’t be built, not what will be built.
- How and why North Carolina has no county roads.
- What the Urban Projects group is, and where they will focus their efforts.

Mentioned in the show:

• Raleigh Planning Academy
• News and Observer
• Triangle Business Journal
• Raleigh Planning and Development
• City Council on Youtube
• Raleigh Midtown Park - Raleigh Magazine
• 99 Percent Invisible Podcast
• Book: Human Transit - Walker
• Book: Better Buses, Better Cities - Higashide
• Book: The Affordable City - Phillips
• Book: Fixer-Upper - Shuetz
• Book: Birth of a Building - Stevens
• Book: City in History - Jacobs
• Book: The Death and Life of Great American Cities
• Book: The Economy of Cities - Jacobs
• Book: Cities and the Wealth of Nations - Jacobs
• Book: City - Whyte

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About Ken: 
Ken Bowers joined the City of Raleigh, NC in 2006, was Planning Director from 2014 to 2019, and now leads a division within a consolidated Planning & Development department focused on plan implementation. Prior to joining the City of Raleigh, Mr. Bowers was a consultant and Principal with the firm of Phillips Preiss Shapiro Associates in New York City, where he prepared plans, market studies and economic strategies for public, private and nonprofit clients in the New York-New Jersey-Connecticut region and beyond. He has a Masters in Regional Planning from UNC-Chapel Hill and a BS in Physics from NC State University.

Connect with Ken: Website | LinkedIn | Twitter

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Show Notes: Welcome to Dirt NC where we talk all about the places and spaces of North Carolina and the people who make them awesome, I am your host Jed Byrne.

Throughout my career in engineering, construction, finance, and development, I have covered just about all sides of the land use ecosystem. This show creates an opportunity for me to share what I have learned with you as well as introduce you to some of my  friends, both new and old who are doing transformative work.

With each episode of

Summary: In this episode, we talk about: athletes in the business world, Medalist Capital and what he’s up to these days, putting in the work, and making big transitions.
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About Marcus: Marcus joined Medalist Capital in December of 2021. Prior to joining the Medalist team, Marcus played professional basketball in eight different countries throughout Europe and the Middle East. 

Marcus is a student-athlete graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He was the captain of the Men’s Basketball team, ACC Champion in 2007 & 2008, as well as a National Champion in 2009. 

Marcus also served as the President of the Student Athlete Advisory Council during his time at UNC. Carolina Athletics remain an important part of Marcus’ life. 

He currently serves on the Board of Advisors for The Rams Club and the Board of Visitors for the UNC Institute for the Environment. In addition, Marcus serves on the board of Visitors for UNC Children's Hospital, the Steering Committee for ULI Triangle’s Young Leaders Group, Go Global North Carolina and the board of the Make-A-Wish Foundation in Eastern North Carolina

Connect with Marcus: Website | Medalist Capital | LinkedIn | Instagram | Twitter

Other Podcasts with Marcus:

This is Raleigh

Hustle and Gather

The G.Q. Coaches Show

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Show Notes: Welcome to Dirt NC where we talk all about the places and spaces of North Carolina and the people who make them awesome, I am your host Jed Byrne.

Throughout my career in engineering, construction, finance, and development, I have covered just about all sides of the land use ecosystem. This show creates an opportunity for me to share what I have learned with you as well as introduce you to some of my  friends, both new and old who are doing transformative work.

With each episode of Dirt NC my goal is to make sure you walk away learning something new about land use. I promise to keep it simple and straight to the point.

As always, I am grateful that you have chosen to share this time with me! If you have comments/questions/suggestions about Dirt NC or anything land use related you can find me on twitter at @OakCityCRE and if you want a simple and to the point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to The Top Five, my free weekly newsletter at www.oakcitycre.com 

Until next time, Thank you!

Summary: I chat with Les all about tap room culture.

Show Notes: Welcome to Dirt NC where we talk all about the places and spaces of North Carolina and the people who make them awesome, I am your host Jed Byrne.

Throughout my career in engineering, construction, finance, and development, I have covered just about all sides of the land use ecosystem. This show creates an opportunity for me to share what I have learned with you as well as introduce you to some of my  friends, both new and old who are doing transformative work.

With each episode of Dirt NC my goal is to make sure you walk away learning something new about land use. I promise to keep it simple and straight to the point.

If you ever have a question for me, please reach out on Twitter at @Oakcitycre

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This chat with Les was a blast, he is a man of many talents! We talked all about tap room culture, we talked about changes in the beer scene over time, how to embrace mishaps, team culture, and how to build an environment where innovation is encouraged!

Connect with Les: Website | Instagram | Trophy Instagram | Young Hearts Instagram

About Les Stewart, Co-Owner and Chief Brewing Officer at Trophy Brewing Co. and Young Hearts Distilling:

Les Stewart is Co-Owner and Chief Brewing Officer at Trophy Brewing Co. and Young Hearts Distilling. He oversees the 3 brewing/distilling divisions within trophy including the Production team, the Wild and Sour/Pilot Program, the production of distilled spirits as well as the Distribution operations. He has been with Trophy since he joined as the lone brewing staff in 2012 when the company operated as a brewpub with a 3-barrel system brewing and has overseen the growth to its current incarnation as a distributing microbrewery that covers the Triangle.

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As always, I am grateful that you have chosen to share this time with me! If you have comments/questions/suggestions about Dirt NC or anything land use related you can find me on twitter at @OakCityCRE and if you want a simple and to the point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to The Top Five, my free weekly newsletter at www.oakcitycre.com 

Until next time, Thank you!

Summary: Lesie and I sit down to discuss ecology and the built environment. We talk about the intersection of public and private space, art, and even mushrooms!

Show Notes: Welcome to Dirt NC where we talk all about the places and spaces of North Carolina and the people who make them awesome, I am your host Jed Byrne.

Throughout my career in engineering, construction, finance, and development, I have covered just about all sides of the land use ecosystem. This show creates an opportunity for me to share what I have learned with you as well as introduce you to some of my  friends, both new and old who are doing transformative work.

With each episode of Dirt NC my goal is to make sure you walk away learning something new about land use. I promise to keep it simple and straight to the point.

If you ever have a question for me, please reach out on Twitter at @Oakcitycre

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I had a blast talking with Leslie about her thoughts on the built environment. Leslie’s landscape architecture practice focuses on the public realm and so does our conversation. We also delve into her art practice and her thoughts on whimsy. 

Connect with Leslie: Art | Website | LinkedIn | Instagram 

About Leslie: Leslie is an urban and landscape designer with a multidisciplinary background in the natural sciences and landscape architecture. With experience in both the public and private sectors, her work has encompassed the horticulture, construction, natural resource, and design and planning industries. As a Landscape Architect at RATIO, Leslie focuses on design that promotes ecological, cultural, and economic health and inclusivity.

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As always, I am grateful that you have chosen to share this time with me! If you have comments/questions/suggestions about Dirt NC or anything land use related you can find me on twitter at @OakCityCRE and if you want a simple and to the point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to The Top Five, my free weekly newsletter at www.oakcitycre.com 

Until next time, Thank you!

Summary: Sterling Stevens is an Architectural Photographer and Real Estate Photographer (we discuss the difference) who has an amazing talent for communicating the built environment through the lens of a camera.

Show Notes: Welcome to Dirt NC where we talk all about the places and spaces of North Carolina and the people who make them awesome, I am your host Jed Byrne.

Throughout my career in engineering, construction, finance, and development, I have covered just about all sides of the land use ecosystem. This show creates an opportunity for me to share what I have learned with you as well as introduce you to some of my  friends, both new and old who are doing transformative work.

With each episode of Dirt NC my goal is to make sure you walk away learning something new about land use. I promise to keep it simple and straight to the point.

If you ever have a question for me, please reach out on Twitter at @Oakcitycre

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In this incredibly fun interview with Sterling Stevens, we discuss all about how he found his way from New Jersey to Texas and finally to North Carolina. How he found his way from Architecture to Architectural and Real Estate Photography. We discuss the difference between those two fields and how photography is all about the visual communication of the built environment. 

Mentioned in the Episode: Envisioning Information

Connect with Sterling: Carolina Standard | Sterling E. Stevens Design Photo | LinkedIn | Instagram | Twitter

About Sterling: Sterling E. Stevens is a professional and fine art photographer classically educated as an architect.  An acute empathy for surroundings, a trained aesthetic sensibility, and joy for exploring places combined to influence his gradual transition from a design career to regularly translating observations through a viewfinder.  Places, similar to people, experience birth, life and death and in his photographic art, Sterling captures portraits of our built environment, framing the active life within or haunting ghosts that remain. As his imagery gained exposure, further opportunities arose, and for the past 12 years Sterling has worked throughout the southern United States as an independent architectural photographer. 

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As always, I am grateful that you have chosen to share this time with me! If you have comments/questions/suggestions about Dirt NC or anything land use related you can find me on twitter at @OakCityCRE and if you want a simple and to the point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to The Top Five, my free weekly newsletter at www.oakcitycre.com 

Until next time, Thank you!

Summary: Steve Hepler and I discuss how he knew he wanted to be an architect and his thoughts on organizations returning to work.

Show Notes: Welcome to Dirt NC where we talk all about the places and spaces of North Carolina and the people who make them awesome, I am your host Jed Byrne.

Throughout my career in engineering, construction, finance, and development, I have covered just about all sides of the land use ecosystem. This show creates an opportunity for me to share what I have learned with you as well as introduce you to some of my  friends, both new and old who are doing transformative work.

With each episode of Dirt NC my goal is to make sure you walk away learning something new about land use. I promise to keep it simple and straight to the point.

If you ever have a question for me, please reach out on Twitter at @Oakcitycre

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I had the chance to visit the Raleigh Office of LS3P to interview the Raleigh Office Leader and Principle, Steve Hepler, AIA, GGP. We talk all about his path to becoming an architect, a profession he knew he wanted to be a part of from a very early age. We also discuss the surprise benefits that came from remote work, his advice for other architects, and how the key to great work is often “listening”.

Connect with LS3P: Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Twitter

Steve Recommends: The Way of the Shepherd

About Steve Hepler, AIA, GGP:  Vice President and Principal Steve Hepler serves as LS3P’s Raleigh Office Leader. Steve brings 40 years of experience to the firm as Principal-in-Charge and Architect-of-Record on a variety of project types including corporate commercial, retail, mixed-use, institutional, higher education and healthcare project types throughout the Southeast.

Steve is active in professional and community organizations, serving as the 1993 President of the AIA-Charlotte chapter and a member of the AIA North Carolina Board of Directors in 1992. He is the former Vice Chairman of the Myrtle Beach Community Appearance Board in Myrtle Beach, SC and a former member of the Historic District Commission in Georgetown, SC.

He is an active member in the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce and serves on its Inter-City Visit Task Force Committee. Steve is also a member of the City of Raleigh Parks, Recreation, and Greenway Advisory Board, a member of the Urban Land Institute (ULI), a member of the Triangle chapter of CoreNet, and a member of the National Association of Industrial Office Parks (NAIOP).

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As always, I am grateful that you have chosen to share this time with me! If you have comments/questions/suggestions about Dirt NC or anything land use related you can find me on twitter at @OakCityCRE and if you want a simple and to the point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to The Top Five, my free weekly newsletter at www.oakcitycre.com 

Until next time

Summary: Jedidiah Gant and I talk all about murals in Raleigh and the process of getting a mural on a wall.

Show Notes: Welcome to Dirt NC where we talk all about the places and spaces of North Carolina and the people who make them awesome, I am your host Jed Byrne.

Throughout my career in engineering, construction, finance, and development, I have covered just about all sides of the land use ecosystem. This show creates an opportunity for me to share what I have learned with you as well as introduce you to some of my  friends, both new and old who are doing transformative work.

With each episode of Dirt NC my goal is to make sure you walk away learning something new about land use. I promise to keep it simple and straight to the point.

If you ever have a question for me, please reach out on Twitter at @Oakcitycre

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In this episode Jedidiah and I talk about all things mural in Raleigh. We start off talking about 90’s bands, but then get into the four key requirements of any mural project and the process of getting “Green City, USA” from a concept up onto the wall in Downtown Raleigh. We even get into how we both got our names.

About Jedidiah: Jedidiah Gant is a designer living with his wife, two kids, and pup in Downtown Raleigh where he's walked the streets looking for creative opportunities and vinyl records since 2005. His work focuses on media strategy, creative urbanism, and community engagement (or some combination of all three). 

He is the Brand Director at Myriad, a video agency who focuses on making video make a difference for tech and social impact brands. As well, he is the Director of the Raleigh Murals Project, a non-profit organization that has helped make Raleigh colorful since 2015 by installing murals with brands such as ACLU, Google Fiber, March for our Lives, Red Hat, Truth, and Vans among many others. 

He has a bachelor degree in Architecture from UNC Charlotte and a Masters Degree in New Media from NC State’s College of Design (Art+ Design). He has taught media theory in the Art + Design graduate department since 2019. 

Raleigh Murals Project Instagram

Raleigh Murals Project Twitter

Jedidiah Gant Instagram

Jedidiah Gant Twitter

Jedidiah Gant LinkedIn

Yard Style Christmas (Album)

Natty Christmas (Album)

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As always, I am grateful that you have chosen to share this time with me! If you have comments/questions/suggestions about Dirt NC or anything land use related you can find me on twitter at @OakCityCRE and if you want a simple and to the point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to The Top Five, my free weekly newsletter at www.oakcitycre.com 

Until next time, Thank you!

Summary: Kathleen Henry and I go on a deep dive about Economic Development in Wake County.

Show Notes: Welcome to Dirt NC where we talk all about the places and spaces of North Carolina and the people who make them awesome, I am your host Jed Byrne.

Throughout my career in engineering, construction, finance, and development, I have covered just about all sides of the land use ecosystem. This show creates an opportunity for me to share what I have learned with you as well as introduce you to some of my  friends, both new and old who are doing transformative work.

With each episode of Dirt NC my goal is to make sure you walk away learning something new about land use. I promise to keep it simple and straight to the point.

If you ever have a question for me, please reach out on Twitter at @Oakcitycre

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Today I had the chance to chat with Kathleen Henry who is an Economic Development Director with Wake County Economic Development (WCED).  We do a deep dive all about what the economic development process actually looks like, what is the current state of economic development in Wake County, and what do site selectors look for when they are on the hunt for locations for their clients.  

About Kathleen: As a key member of WCED’s business recruitment and expansion team, Kathleen Henry manages all aspects of the business recruitment and expansion process and contributes to the overall BRE strategy. She also leads efforts around WCED’s International Business & Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) initiatives with the goal of recruiting and marketing the region to foreign-owned companies.

Before arriving at WCED, Kathleen worked for World Trade Center Savannah, an international economic development organization in Savannah, Georgia where she served as the Manager of Research and Trade Development, helping regional companies with their international growth strategies as well as managing the planning, marketing and execution of inbound trade missions and outbound trade and investment development efforts for the region.

Born and raised in Anderson, South Carolina, Kathleen moved to Savannah, GA to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Economics from Armstrong State University. During her four years at Armstrong, she competed as a member of the university’s national championship tennis team. Kathleen was drawn to Wake County for its great quality of life and for the opportunity to contribute to its exciting economic growth. Kathleen loves spending time outdoors, running the Greenways, experiencing the local food scene, attending sporting events and traveling.

LinkedIn

Twitter

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As always, I am grateful that you have chosen to share this time with me! If you have comments/questions/suggestions about Dirt NC or anything land use related you can find me on twitter at @OakCityCRE and if you want a simple and to the point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to The Top Five, my free weekly newsletter at www.oakcitycre.com 

Until next time, Thank you!

 Summary: Guest host Cara Byrne steps in to interview Jed Byrne in a special “get to know your host” episode.

Show Notes: Welcome to Dirt NC where we talk all about the places and spaces of North Carolina and the people who make them awesome, I am your host Jed Byrne.

Throughout my career in engineering, construction, finance, and development, I have covered just about all sides of the land use ecosystem. This show creates an opportunity for me to share what I have learned with you as well as introduce you to some of my  friends, both new and old who are doing transformative work.

With each episode of Dirt NC my goal is to make sure you walk away learning something new about land use. I promise to keep it simple and straight to the point.

If you ever have a question for me, please reach out on Twitter at @Oakcitycre

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Cara Byrne, my wife, steps up to the plate to get the “dirt” on me, Jed Byrne.  She asks me all about my professional and educational background, we play a great game of “this or that”, she asks some questions from the audience, and things even get personal!

Stay tuned to the very end for a hidden clip from an episode “intruder”.

LinkedIn

Twitter

________________________________________________________

As always, I am grateful that you have chosen to share this time with me! If you have comments/questions/suggestions about Dirt NC or anything land use related you can find me on twitter at @OakCityCRE and if you want a simple and to the point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to The Top Five, my free weekly newsletter at www.oakcitycre.com 

Until next time, Thank you!

Summary: Charles Dillard and I talk all about Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and their re-emergence in Raleigh.

Show Notes: Welcome to Dirt NC where we talk all about the places and spaces of North Carolina and the people who make them awesome, I am your host Jed Byrne.

Throughout my career in engineering, construction, finance, and development, I have covered just about all sides of the land use ecosystem. This show creates an opportunity for me to share what I have learned with you as well as introduce you to some of my  friends, both new and old who are doing transformative work.

With each episode of Dirt NC my goal is to make sure you walk away learning something new about land use. I promise to keep it simple and straight to the point.

If you ever have a question for me, please reach out on Twitter at @Oakcitycre

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Today I had the chance to chat with Charles Dillard, who is an Urban Planner with the Urban Design Center, which is part of the City of Raleigh Planning Department.  We talk all about ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units).  We talk about the specific niche in the housing landscape that he believes ADUs and only ADUs can fill.  We discuss the barriers to building ADUs and what the City is doing about them.  We also discuss housing affordability and displacement, which all growing cities struggle with, and what measures are being explored to help alleviate those issues.  

About Charles: Charles is an urban designer and planner with the City of Raleigh’s Urban Design Center, where he is a member of an inter-disciplinary team working to envision a more equitable, sustainable and beautiful Raleigh. Drawing on his diverse background, Charles is a core member of Raleigh’s effort to reimagine what our neighborhoods and public realm can be. Charles manages the city’s Accessory Dwelling Unit program, a comprehensive set of regulations and incentives that will make Raleigh the southeast’s most ADU-friendly city.

Prior to joining the Urban Design Center, Charles was an Urban Designer with RATIO in Raleigh and a planner with the New York City Department of City Planning.

Charles holds a Master’s in City and Regional Planning from UNC-Chapel Hill and a Master’s in Landscape Architecture from the University of Toronto. 

Additional ADU Links:

City of Raleigh Resources

• https://raleighnc.gov/business/content/PlanDev/Articles/Zoning/AccessoryDwellingUnits.html
• Report 02 - Accessory Dwelling Unit Programs and Regulatory Tools (Download)

Other City Websites

• San Mateo County CA - https://secondunitcentersmc.org/
• Seattle - https://aduniverse-seattlecitygis.hub.arcgis.com/

Pre-Approved ADUs:

• Seattle - https://aduniverse-seattlecitygis.hub.arcgis.com/pages/gallery
• Los Angeles - https://www.ladbs.org/adu/standard-plan-program/approved-standard-plans

Summary: Ben Stevens is the author of The Birth of a Building and a Development Manager with ZOM Living in Raleigh, NC.

Show Notes: Welcome to Dirt NC where we talk all about the places and spaces of North Carolina and the people who make them awesome, I am your host Jed Byrne.

Throughout my career in engineering, construction, finance, and development, I have covered just about all sides of the land use ecosystem. This show creates an opportunity for me to share what I have learned with you as well as introduce you to some of my  friends, both new and old who are doing transformative work.

With each episode of Dirt NC my goal is to make sure you walk away learning something new about land use. I promise to keep it simple and straight to the point.

If you ever have a question for me, please reach out on Twitter at @Oakcitycre

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Today I had the chance to chat with Ben Stevens who is a great friend and the author of one of the best books on the real estate development process, The Birth of a Building.  Ben and his family recently relocated to the Triangle and I am glad we have his expertise and insight in town! In our discussion we talk about the development process, what he learned by writing the book, and what he is thinking and writing about now.

About Ben : Ben Stevens is a Development manager for ZOM Living in Raleigh working on projects across the Carolinas. Zom Living is a real estate development firm with a nation-wide platform focusing on multifamily and senior living . He received his MBA, with focus in Real Estate and Urban Land Economics, from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He's the creator of The Skyline Forum, an online interview series with developers, architects, and urban planners.

Find him on his website, Twitter, or LinkedIn. You can message him here.

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As always, I am grateful that you have chosen to share this time with me! If you have comments/questions/suggestions about Dirt NC or anything land use related you can find me on twitter at @OakCityCRE and if you want a simple and to the point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to The Top Five, my free weekly newsletter at www.oakcitycre.com 

Until next time, Thank you!

Summary: Anna Lynch is the CEO and Co-Founder of Lynch Mykins Structural Engineers in Raleigh, NC.

Show Notes: Welcome to Dirt NC where we talk all about the places and spaces of North Carolina and the people who make them awesome, I am your host Jed Byrne.

Throughout my career in engineering, construction, finance, and development, I have covered just about all sides of the land use ecosystem. This show creates an opportunity for me to share what I have learned with you as well as introduce you to some of my  friends, both new and old who are doing transformative work.

With each episode of Dirt NC my goal is to make sure you walk away learning something new about land use. I promise to keep it simple and straight to the point.

If you ever have a question for me, please reach out on Twitter at @Oakcitycre

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Today I had the chance to chat with Anna Lynch, CEO and Co-Founder of Lynch Mykins Structural Engineers.  Anna and I got to dig into what a structural engineer does and what it takes for engineers to be a part of a great team. We talk all about how to break down the ego of an engineer, how vulnerability is key to building relationships, and the power of crazy ideas.  You can find out more about Lynch Mykins by connecting with them on social media on: Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter.

About Anna: Anna founded Lynch Mykins because she’s a pusher. A pusher of boundaries. One of those people you never forget once you meet her in person. She’s re-invented the way structural engineering happens across the country. This fearless visionary is guiding left-brained engineers to be hybrid thinkers and her clients are loving every successful project as a result. Focus, dedication, hard work and passion for change and growth are her motivators. Seeing others grow and be successful is her ultimate reward.

For previous interviews of Anna, check out The Power of Design Podcast and the Curated Podcast.

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As always, I am grateful that you have chosen to share this time with me! If you have comments/questions/suggestions about Dirt NC or anything land use related you can find me on twitter at @OakCityCRE and if you want a simple and to the point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to The Top Five, my free weekly newsletter at www.oakcitycre.com 

Until next time, Thank you!

Summary: Courtney Landoll, PLA, ASLA is a landscape architect and Customer Success Manager at WithersRavenel in Raleigh, NC.

Show Notes: Welcome to Dirt NC where we talk all about the places and spaces of North Carolina and the people who make them awesome, I am your host Jed Byrne.

Throughout my career in engineering, construction, finance, and development, I have covered just about all sides of the land use ecosystem. This show creates an opportunity for me to share what I have learned with you as well as introduce you to some of my  friends, both new and old who are doing transformative work.

With each episode of Dirt NC my goal is to make sure you walk away learning something new about land use. I promise to keep it simple and straight to the point.

If you ever have a question for me, please reach out on Twitter at @Oakcitycre

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Today I had the chance to chat with my colleague, Courtney Landoll, in our downtown Raleigh office.  She shared a bit of her backstory and taught me all about ecological design. We talked about what ecological design is, why it is important, and ways that the culture and market around ecological design has changed over the years. She even teaches me what a “ruffle” is!  If you want to connect with Courtney, you can reach her on LinkedIn and Twitter. 

About Courtney: Courtney has 20 years landscape architectural experience leading and implementing complex, multidisciplinary projects throughout the US while working with clients to achieve rigorous schedule and budgetary demands. She has worked extensively on urban healthcare, office, mixed-use, parks, streetscapes and campus design projects. With a background in the creative arts and design-build projects, Courtney specializes in design that harmoniously balances materials and textures to provide an engaging site experience for the user that is also functional, cost-effective and easy to maintain. Courtney also has over ten years’ experience providing ecological and sustainable design services.

Courtney is currently serving in a national leadership role with the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) as a member of the Nominating Committee and is serving as President-elect of North Carolina Chapter of ASLA. She is also an active member of the Triangle Chapter of Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW).  

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As always, I am grateful that you have chosen to share this time with me! If you have comments/questions/suggestions about Dirt NC or anything land use related you can find me on twitter at @OakCityCRE and if you want a simple and to the point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to The Top Five, my free weekly newsletter at www.oakcitycre.com 

Until next time, Thank you!

Summary: Rhett Fussell (he/him) is the Interim Director of the Raleigh Area Land Trust (RALT).

Show Notes: Welcome to Dirt NC where we talk all about the places and spaces of North Carolina and the people who make them awesome, I am your host Jed Byrne.

Throughout my career in engineering, construction, finance, and development, I have covered just about all sides of the land use ecosystem. This show creates an opportunity for me to share what I have learned with you as well as introduce you to some of my  friends, both new and old who are doing transformative work.

With each episode of Dirt NC my goal is to make sure you walk away learning something new about land use. I promise to keep it simple and straight to the point.

If you ever have a question for me, please reach out on Twitter at @Oakcitycre

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Today I had the chance to speak with Rhett Fussell, the Interim  Director of the Raleigh Area Land Trust (RALT), the first Community Land Trust in Raleigh North Carolina and Wake County!  We talked all about what a land trust is, how RALT is engaging "underestimated" members of the community, and how RALT acts as a stepping stone for individuals and families to buy a home. You can connect with Rhett on Twitter and LinkedIn and RALT on Twitter and Instagram.  Also, be sure to check out their website at www.RALT.org

About Rhett: Rhett Fussell (he/him) is a strategic activator that is passionate about bringing people together for action and success.  Rhett has worked as a transportation engineer for over 20 years on transit projects across the country.  His experience working with cities developed his understanding for how people and places lead to successful communities.

Rhett also runs a local non-profit called the Raleigh Area Land Trust (RALT), focused on the development of attainable housing. The goal is to provide families with the opportunity to begin generational wealth creation through homeownership.

Rhett aspires to be a retired sports junkie, but in the meantime, he plays volleyball, dodgeball and often can be found at the gym.  He graduated from NC State University with a Master’s in Civil Engineering and was a founding member of the Student Wolfpack Club.  Rhett is married to his wonderful husband of 14 years Joe and they have a spoiled chocolate lab, Tucker.

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As always, I am grateful that you have chosen to share this time with me! If you have comments/questions/suggestions about Dirt NC or anything land use related you can find me on twitter at @OakCityCRE and if you want a simple and to the point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to The Top Five, my free weekly newsletter at www.oakcitycre.com 

Until next time, Thank you!

Summary: I give an overview of the aspects of the development process for rental property including: Concept and Iteration, Gathering Resources and Contracting, Lease Up and Operations, and Risks in development.

Show Notes: Welcome to Dirt NC where we talk all about the places and spaces of North Carolina and the people who make them awesome, I am your host Jed Byrne.

Throughout my career in engineering, construction, finance, and development, I have covered just about all sides of the land use ecosystem. This show creates an opportunity for me to share what I have learned with you as well as introduce you to some of my  friends, both new and old who are doing transformative work.

With each episode of Dirt NC my goal is to make sure you walk away learning something new about land use. I promise to keep it simple and straight to the point.

If you ever have a question for me, please reach out on Twitter at @Oakcitycre

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Today as part of the Real Estate 101 Series, we will be talking all about the basics of the development Process.  We will discuss: Concept and Iteration, Gathering Resources and Contracting, Lease Up and Operations, and Risks in development.

1) Concept and Iteration

-Ideation

-Creation of Value

2) Gathering Resources and Contracting

-Site Control

-Capital

-Design

-Construction

-Legal

3) Lease Up and Operations

-Commercial Lease Up vs Multifamily

-Tenant Upfit

-Value created is based on NOI

4) Risks

-Time

-Financial

-Market

-Uncertainty

-Opportunity

-Environmental

-Rezoning/Entitlement

-Lease Up

I would love to get your feedback, reach out and let me know what your latest multifamily experience was like!

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As always, I am grateful that you have chosen to share this time with me! If you have comments/questions/suggestions about Dirt NC or anything land use related you can find me on twitter at @OakCityCRE and if you want a simple and to the point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to The Top Five, my free weekly newsletter at www.oakcitycre.com 

Until next time, Thank you!

Summary: Asa Hecker a MBA student and I discuss career transitions and networking.