The first-ever Inner City Housing Summit is scheduled for April 24 at La Posada Hotel. The event will bring together non-profit organizations, property owners, landlords, realtors, and developers interested in unlocking existing investment opportunities in the inner city by promoting the competitive edge that this part of the city has to offer.
Inspired by the Inner City Revival — an initiative launched last year by the Laredo Housing Authority — the forum seeks to reconnect an inner city affected by disinvestment with decision makers by empowering them through education and actionable plans to pursue redevelopment opportunities while overcoming social challenges.
“The summit will set the stage for a productive dialogue between the public and private sector,” said Jose. L. Ceballos, summit steering committee and LHA chair. “Only by building synergies and recognizing the key role that the private sector plays, will we be able as a community to scale and sustain efforts to revitalize our inner city.”
Joe Minicozzi, AICP, an urban planner and the principal of Urban3 in Asheville, NC, is the keynote speaker for the 2019 Inner City Housing Summit. His work has established new conversations across multiple professional sectors, policy makers, and the public to creatively address the challenges of urbanization. Minicozzi, who is recognized as one of the 100 Most Influential Urbanists of all time, will speak on “Unlocking Laredo’s Economy Through Inner City Redevelopment.”
Other summit panelists include Kathy Rodriguez, Associate AIA, Deputy Historic Preservation Officer of the City of San Antonio Vacant Building Program; Michael Hargrave, development and design specialist for Neighborhood and Housing Services of the City of San Antonio; and Zuleika K. Morales-Romero, Director of the San Antonio HUD Field Office.
Among the local panelists who will focus on topics relevant to the inner city, including infill, downtown housing, and special population housing are Margarita Araiza, executive director of the Webb County Heritage Foundation; Lt. Adolph Aguirre of the Salvation Army; Robert Rosell, vice-president of BBVA’s community relations office; John Villarreal of IBC; City of Laredo Utility Department coordination manager Rolando Lozano; assistant City of Laredo tax collector Dora Maldonado; Elizabeth Alonzo Villarreal, CEO of NeighborWorks; Tina Martinez, City of Laredo Community Development programs administrator; real estate broker Julian Rotnofsky of Trellistate Commercial Realty; Mario Peña, AIA, of Able City; Gerry Pinzon, building official of the City of Laredo; Mario Jasso, AIA, of Architects Plus; Regina Portillo, director of City Makery; Roger García, Mile One director of marketing; and Celina Vallarte, downtown resident and artist.
Valuable tools such as city incentives, maps, and professional guidance to navigate the inner city development process will be made available to summit participants. Round table topics of discussion include in-fill and downtown housing, tiny homes, and special population housing.
Among the sponsors of the Inner City Housing Summit are the Laredo Housing Authority; AIA Laredo Chapter; Azteca Economic Development & Preservation Corporation; Bricks & Tile; BBVA Compass; City Makery/ Laredo Young Professionals; City of Laredo Community Development; City of Laredo TIRZ #1; CEC Civil Engineering Consultants; Escamilla & Poneck, Attorneys and Counselors; Habitat for Humanity of Laredo; NeighborWorks Laredo; Salvation Army; Stewart Title; and the Webb County Economic Development Department.
For further information, call (956) 722-4521, ext. 242.
