The Small Scale Real Estate Development Seminar is a one-day event bringing together builders, lenders, designers, and community members to explore how small-scale infill projects can unlock urgently needed housing and retail opportunities.
With morning training from the Incremental Development Alliance and afternoon case studies on real Fairbanks project types, programs and grants, participants will gain practical tools, discover local resources, and connect with partners to turn ideas into achievable developments that strengthen our community and build toward the next horizon.
Why Attend? This workshop brings together builders, lenders, designers, owners, investors, and community members to kickstart a wave of small and feasible development.
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH:
ABOUT THE FACULTY:
Neil Heller
Principal at Neighborhood Workshop - Portland, OR
Neil is a national award-winning urban planner and designer specializing in aligning municipal regulations with community development goals through real estate pro-forma analysis. He combines expertise in design, housing policy, and development to create user-focused solutions and equitable housing policies. As a small landlord managing 2-4 unit buildings and longtime Portland housing advocate, he brings practical experience to regulatory reform. Neil was recently featured in Sightline for his work providing financial justification for increasing housing units on single-dwelling lots owned by nonprofits.
REGISTRATION
Registration is free, but required for entry. Space is available to the first 80 who register for the event. Fees have been generously paid for by the sponsors.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Morning Session: IncDev’s Seminar on small scale real estate development is all about project formation. We take a big picture view of neighborhood-based development to help attendees analyze what makes a good project, how a building makes money, and how small developers interact with the broader ecosystem of professionals in the built environment.
Welcome and Introductions
Business Models and Skill Sets | What kind of projects are you interested doing? How will that be structured? What skills do you have and whose help do you need?
Right-Sizing Your Project | By evaluating zoning, financing tools, and building codes, a project can conform to systemic thresholds that control costs and minimize risk.
Building Arts 101 | A small developer who understands architecture, urban design and planning fundamentals can create more value with their project while contributing to the health, safety, and welfare of their community.
Project Pro formas | Get familiar with a financial pro forma template and the important concepts, key terms, and industry jargon that show how a building makes money.
Financing a Project and Tapping Incentives | A great project needs a great plan for obtaining permanent mortgages and construction/renovation loans. To get there, a small developer will need a written financial package and a verbal pitch to present to a bank and/or private investor.
Wrap-Up | Q&A and Next Steps
Lunch
Afternoon Session: Local Case Studies & Workshop. Shift from theory to practice with three project tracks focused on real Fairbanks opportunities:
Small Residential Infill - This track will include new construction accessory units, duplexes, and incremental housing, as well as renovations to improve properties and increase density.
Small Commercial Redevelopment - This track will include adaptive reuse and retail revitalization.
Mixed-Use & Community Spaces - This track will bridge housing and commerce, as well as the important third spaces critical to enable a neighborhood to thrive.
Local organizations will highlight available grants and resources that can help projects leap from paper to possible. Participants will self-organize into tracks, learn from peers, and explore how to move projects forward within city limits.
Thank You to the following Sponsors:
Contact
Chloe Chapman · training@incrementaldevelopment.org · (479) 305-4807