It is easy to get lost in the finer points of property development when there are so many moving pieces that developers are responsible for managing. Between acquiring professional teams, project deadlines, budget revisions, risk management, and compliance with local ordinances, a developer must always be on call. The most successful developers are able to maintain a vision and see through the frenzy of tasks to focus on what development is truly about: people. Fostering a relationship with the local community before a development breaks ground is paramount for an efficient preconstruction process and for a profitable development.
Real Estate Professionals
You will be in good hands if you are able to find a reputable real estate agent who has several years’ experience in your target market. These individuals are local and regional market experts. They have their fingers on the pulse of the market and, most of the time, will know what a municipality needs and what will work in certain areas. You may have completed online research for a parcel you want to develop with a multifamily project, and everything seems to check out. The wage demographics look good, the numbers suggest there is a housing need in this neighborhood, and the land is zoned appropriately. However, before you buy the land, get in touch with a real estate professional and find out if the parcel was subject to environmental contamination years ago. While online research can provide ample information about a piece of property, most of the time it cannot tell the whole story. Connecting with several local real estate professionals provides an immense amount of support and knowledge to you and your project.
Local Officials
Once you have established your vision and its benefit for the local community, the next step is getting the project approved by the municipality. This process can occur seamlessly or can be one of the most challenging steps in the development. Without proper engagement with local officials this stage can quickly head into a downward spiral, even if your proposal is comprehensive and contains all necessary documentation. The trick is to get creative in connecting with these officials. Attend meetings for committees they serve on. Ask a mutual contact to introduce you. Engage with them through social media. Next, find out what projects within the city they are really excited for and are interested in supporting. Having a baseline for the types of projects that local officials are advocating for will help you understand how to frame your initial proposal. Once you gain this context and a personal connection, you will be able to submit a development proposal package that is much more likely to be approved by the local planning committee.
Design/Build Professionals
You and your real estate agent have found the perfect parcel and the city has granted tentative approval to your proposal, but what follows is one of the most critical points of the development process: selecting your professional design and build team. While there are many remote architectural and drafting firms that offer services at a discount, the specific knowledge of a local architect is often worth the increased rate. Local design professionals have knowledge of specific regional building codes and are able to make expert recommendations when you select a contractor. A local contractor will have existing relationships with subcontractors and suppliers, leading to a more streamlined construction process. Ultimately, connecting with and utilizing local design and build teams means that the community will be directly engaged in your development. A local architect will want to ensure their designs fit the aesthetics of their town. Local building crews will take pride in completing work on a project that will benefit their community. These are the people that will help you create a successful project from which they and their neighbors will ultimately benefit.
General Community Engagement
The most important people to consider are those that reside in the area your development will serve. The last thing you want is for the community to turn against your development after putting in all the effort to get a project approved, have plans drawn, and contract with a local builder. Luckily, there are more ways than ever to directly engage with the local community. If available, join local social media groups focused on community issues. Take some time to talk to the neighbors that live immediately next to your development site. Create a simple website for your development where the community can submit feedback and suggestions. While not everyone is going to accept the change that your development will bring to their community, directly engaging with residents will help you highlight the benefits your project will bring to their area.
Developing for the Community and WITH the Community
Attempting to complete a development without community engagement can lead to unnecessary challenges. Not only do you run the risk of the community souring on your idea, but you may be leaving some of your most valuable resources on the sidelines. When you connect with local professionals, officials, and residents you gain a more complete understanding of the community’s desires and needs, leading to a more successful and profitable development.
David Jacobs grew up in a family of contractors and was exposed to the principles of construction from a young age. David worked as a construction worker to help pay for college, giving him a foundation of practical, real-world knowledge. Pivoting to a career path in sales and marketing provided valuable insight to additional aspects of the construction industry. David found his niche working as a Project Specialist with OBA/CIS where he brings together his previous experiences to better assist clients with their projects. David enjoys hunting, fishing, hiking, and skiing. He spends his weekends guiding bike and kayak tours.
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