Since 2012, LOCUS Responsible Developers and Investors has presented our National Leadership Award to developers or investors who demonstrate exemplary commitment to furthering LOCUS’ mission of public leadership and advocacy in support of smart growth development.
This year, we are proud to announce the winners of the first-ever LOCUS Michigan Leadership Awards.
Michigan Developer of the Year
Continuing his 50-year legacy of connecting people, places, and assets, Bernard “Bernie” Glieberman, supports the fourth generation of the Glieberman family in the real estate, building, and development arena, his daughter, Tracey Katzen who leads HRS Communities and Home Renewal Systems in this work.
HRS Communities is a full service Michigan based real estate development company with groundbreaking projects that have helped redefine the built environment. HRS focuses on housing options for today’s lifestyles and walkable community living, specializing in understanding the complexities of urban living and the adaptive reuse of properties.
Recently, the firm completed The Gateway Senior Apartments,
a LIHTC Historic Tax Credit project transforming the former Fremont High School into a mixed income senior apartment complex on Main Street. The adaptive reuse of The Grandview Marquette, the historic landmark and former Holy Family Orphanage in Marquette is currently under development.
The Michigan Walkable Communities Project, includes adaptive reuse of existing buildings for multi-family living as well as exciting new infill in established walkable communities and Main Streets across Michigan, recently recognized for architectural excellence by the Home BuildersAssociation of Southeast Michigan Parade of Homes.
In his current role as Chairman of Governmental Affairs and Public Policy, Bernie uses his experience and knowledge to advance housing policy on the state and national level that supports walkable communities.
Michigan Development Company of the Year
Established in 1994, the Gillespie Group’s first decade in business was primarily focused on suburban and greenfield apartment projects in suburban areas of Michigan including Jackson, Adrian, Portland, Charlotte, and Delta Township.
It was in the second decade that Gillespie Group shifted his focus to real estate development within one mile of the State Capitol. The result of that transition lead to several landmark projects that served as a catalyst for urban renewal in Lansing.
In 2014, the Gillespie Group open the doors to one of the newest additions to Michigan Avenue: The Midtown. The $6.8 million 66-unit, mixed-used development features high-end apartments, a 1,800-square-foot PNC Bank branch, and a rebuilt Ethiopian restaurant. The project is expected to meet the demand of Michigan State students and young professionals moving to the area.
The Gillespie Group is committed to public leadership and development for walkable, sustainable development. In addition to their smart growth projects, their commitment includes board positions on the Prima Civitas Foundation, Sparrow Foundation, Lansing Chamber of Commerce Political Action Committee, and MEDC’s Redevelopment Ready Communities Advisory Council. The Gillespie Group has been at the forefront of development and is recognized as a driving force for smart growth in Lansing and throughout the state.
Congratulations to this year’s award winners for their exemplary leadership on smart growth development issues.
Attend the Summit
LOCUS’s 2015 Michigan Leadership Awards will be presented at the 2015 LOCUS Michigan Leadership Summit. The winners will receive a complimentary one-year LOCUS Premier membership, will be featured in LOCUS’ monthly newsletter and our website, and are automatically nominated for LOCUS’s National Leadership Award, to be awarded at our National Summit.
This Summit is held in partnership with the Michigan Municipal League (MML) which proactively represents municipalities to help them sustain highly livable, desirable, and unique places within the state.
Register for the Michigan Leadership Summit in downtown Detroit today! Registration closes Thursday June 18.
