8:00 AM: City Leadership Driving Commercial Real Estate
Dan Collison, Sherman Associates
Jacob Frey, City of Minneapolis
Adam Duininck, Minneapolis Downtown Council-Downtown Improvement District
Michael Rainville, Minneapolis City Council Ward 3
Erik Hansen, City of Minneapolis
Pearll Warren, Minneapolis City Council, Ward 5
Elizabeth Shaffer, Minneapolis City Council, Ward 7
Moderator: Dan Collison
- Police reforms and enhanced safety measures continue to build tenant confidence, supporting reduced vacancies in downtown commercial properties.
- Transit-oriented development around key hubs improves accessibility and drives premium pricing in adjacent commercial submarkets. Progress toward Nicollet
- Mall pedestrianization aims to increase foot traffic and elevate retail vitality in surrounding commercial spaces.
- North Loop’s resilient performance with declining vacancies highlights strong demand in vibrant, competitive commercial districts.
- Continued absence of rent control helps maintain investor stability for mixed-use commercial real estate projects.
- Targeted safety and activation initiatives strengthen the CBD’s appeal, aiding office tenant retention and attraction.
- Zoning and policy reforms facilitate new commercial development in growth corridors, promoting overall market stability.
9:00 AM: Sports & Entertainment Driven Revitalization Boosting Commercial Markets
Wendy Blackshaw, Minnesota Sports & Events
Lester Bagley, Minnesota Vikings Football
Matthew Caldwell, The Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx
Tom Pohlad, Minnesota Twins
Logan Gerken, Mortenson
Ryan Freeland, DLR Group
Moderator: Wendy Blackshaw
- Major events at U.S. Bank Stadium sustain elevated retail demand and support higher lease rates for nearby downtown commercial properties.
- Mixed-use developments and infrastructure tied to sports venues continue to enhance property values in adjacent commercial areas.
- Stadium-related public and private investments upgrade surrounding infrastructure, increasing desirability for commercial tenants.
- Proximity to sports and entertainment anchors boosts occupancy and activity in retail and hospitality-focused commercial spaces.
- Ongoing partnerships between sports organizations and developers help stabilize leasing momentum in downtown commercial real estate.
- Consistent sports-driven foot traffic and events bolster growth in hospitality and experiential commercial property segments.
- Long-term public and private commitments to stadium districts support sustained commercial real estate viability and investment downtown.
- Robust programming at downtown theaters and concert venues draws consistent crowds and supporting higher occupancy in adjacent retail, dining, and hospitality spaces.
- Large-scale public festivals and outdoor concert series in downtown, accelerating economic recovery by boosting demand for commercial leases and enhancing the overall vibrancy of downtown districts.
9:50 AM: Break
10:00 AM: Sustainable Transformation Enhancing Commercial Value
Dean Dovolis, DJR
Erin Fitzgerald, Willow Peak
Chad Tepley, CDT Realty
Kari Glaser, nimble
Michael Clark, Renaissance Minneapolis Hotel
Ben Kepple, PCL Construction
John Marshall, Xcel Energy
Moderator: John Marshall
- Strategic office-to-multifamily and adaptive reuse conversions help manage supply and stabilize the downtown commercial office sector.
- Initiatives like the Renaissance Coalition and similar efforts build investor confidence and demand for quality downtown commercial assets.
- Advancing Nicollet Mall enhancements and pedestrian focus are expected to drive retail lease rates and tenant interest.
- EV charging stations, green building certifications, and sustainability upgrades attract eco-conscious tenants to commercial spaces.
- Targeted equity and impact funds stimulate leasing activity and redevelopment in priority downtown commercial corridors.
- Historic building repurposing into modern offices, hotels, or mixed uses diversifies tenant options and preserves commercial appeal.
- Major transit projects improve connectivity, supporting increased office leasing demand and property values downtown.
10:50 AM: Break
11:00 AM: Downtown Office Market Dynamics
Kevin Salmen, Transwestern
Jon Lanners, Onward Investors
Harrison Wagenseil, CBRE
Jim Montez, Transwestern
Jacob Graff, Cordia Energy
Bob Gardner, Gardner Builders
- Vacancy rates show signs of stabilization with modest improvements in select submarkets, indicating gradual recovery in the downtown commercial office sector.
- Smaller leases continue to drive occupancy gains in commercial office spaces.
- Renovations and amenity upgrades in quality buildings attract premium tenants and enhance asset values.
- Return-to-office mandates and hybrid refinements from major employers support demand for well-located downtown commercial office spaces.
- Refinancing challenges and valuation adjustments persist for some Class A and older commercial office buildings.
- Modern amenities, flexible spaces, and technology integrations boost leasing activity in competitive downtown properties.
- A revitalizing downtown environment with stronger activation supports the long-term health of the commercial office market.
12:00 PM: Multifamily Growth Supporting Commercial Synergies
Matthew Loven, Maslon LLP
John Bailey, Weidner Apartment Homes
Abe Appert, CBRE
Joe Grunnet, DRG
Sean Ryan, Ryan Companies
Moderator: Matthew Loven
- Stabilizing multifamily vacancies in downtown and North Loop areas enhance leasing in integrated mixed-use commercial properties.
- Predictable regulatory environment without rent control sustains strong investor confidence in mixed-use commercial developments.
- Strong sales activity in North Loop and downtown corridors drives momentum across commercial real estate segments.
- Affordable housing initiatives and funds increase residential density, boosting retail and amenity demand in commercial areas.
- Office-to-residential conversions create synergies that support adjacent commercial leasing and vibrancy.
- Continued residential growth in core areas strengthens retail and service-oriented leasing in nearby commercial properties.
- Zoning updates and policy support accelerate mixed-use development, expanding commercial demand in integrated markets.
1:00 PM: Adjourn