Beyond the Skyline

A major bonding bill for public works projects would be a big topic of conversation in a normal even-numbered year, but 2020 has been anything but normal as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. Even so, advocates for a robust bonding bill say that that doesn’t take away the need to invest in buildings and infrastructure. In a series of articles and episodes in Beyond the Skyline, Finance & Commerce is...

When Doran Cos. President and CEO Anne Behrendt purchased a majority stake in the company last May, she set the company on a path that is both new and well worn. The Bloomington-based general contractor and commercial real estate development company has changed since it was founded 13 years ago, moving into multifamily projects after getting a start in student housing. Company founder Kelly Doran...

The aging U.S. population may bode well for senior housing providers, but the so-called “senior tsunami” doesn’t guarantee success in the complicated business of providing homes and services for older adults. So says Jill Johnson, a Minneapolis-based consultant with more than 30 years of consulting experience in the senior living arena. Johnson, the president and founder of Minneapolis-based Johns...

When we last spoke with Tony Layne in October, the managing director and principal at the Minneapolis office of architecture firm Perkins & Will talked about retaining talent, receiving an AIA award and the core values at his Minneapolis office. The world has changed since then. Much of Layne’s focus has been on work for corporate clients, including renovation and repositioning work of office buil...

In this episode, Finance & Commerce reporter Brian Johnson speaks with Bill Baxley, Managing Director of the Minneapolis office of the Gensler architecture firm. Baxley has been in charge of the 30-person office for nearly 3 years. He recently oversaw Gensler’s move into 8,000 square feet of space on the top floor of the 706 Building at the Baker Center. Baxley has more than 30 years of experience...

Josh Brandsted has been president of Minneapolis development company Greco for the past five years. At the start of the year he was named managing partner and now has a 50 percent ownership in the business. A New Underwood, South Dakota, native, Brandsted worked his way up to his leadership role from running the books for one of Greco’s apartment buildings. Now 37, he will be running much of Greco...

The Minnesota Legislature has some tough choices to make this year when it comes to borrowing money for public works projects. During the 2020 legislative session, lawmakers are expected to consider a bonding bill that could range in size from just under $1 billion to $2 billion-plus. More than $5 billion requests from state agencies and local governments are in the mix for funding. In a series of...

Chris Romano believes that even a half century of rebuilding and redeveloping one of Minneapolis’ most dense and diverse neighborhoods is only a beginning. In January, Romano moved into the executive director’s position with Seward Redesign, a neighborhood-based community development organization that just celebrated its 50-year anniversary. The nonprofit recently secured tax increment financing f...

This special episode of Beyond the Skyline, features an Experts Forum on innovation in Rochester. Innovation being synonymous with Mayo Clinic is nothing new. But now, thanks to Rochester’s massive multiyear undertaking to present the entire city as a beacon for innovators and entrepreneurs, the entire region 75 miles south of the Twin Cities is poised for a technological and economic renaissance....

When the new Element by Westin hotel next to Target Field in downtown Minneapolis opened in January, Lion Hotel Group CEO Mark Labovitz was there with his wife and two children to stay on opening night. Lion is part of the fourth-generation Labovitz Enterprises, a Duluth-based company that owned clothing retailers Maurices from its founding in 1931 until 1978. The Element marks a high point for Li...

Reporter Brian Johnson speaks with Jessie Houlihan, who took an unconventional career path to her role as president of Minneapolis-based Stahl Construction. Related links: https://finance-commerce.com/2019/12/qa-stahl-president-says-we-can-learn-something-from-everybody/