IS DETROIT AN APPLE?
How Detroit's ups and downs mimic the history of infamous success story that stagnated over time, and how following the example of another famous decline can lead to Detroit's success.
OMAR BLAIK Founder and President of U3Ventures, LLC
Omar Blaik is founder and president of U3 Ventures, LLC, a multidisciplinary firm focused on advisory services and real estate development. U3 specializes in comprehensive economic development around universities and health care institutions designed to attract private investment, incubate high-tech development, capture economic activity, and enhance the physical environment.
U3 Ventures was formed with the belief that anchor institutions hold the key to sustainable community and economic development in cities across the country. Advisory efforts include working with university leaders, cities and municipalities, state governments and foundations. This work focuses on institutional strategy, campus edge planning, deploying economic activity for local benefits, and real estate strategy & economic feasibility.
Prior to forming U3 Ventures, Mr. Blaik was the Senior Vice President at the University of Pennsylvania and served as the Chief Planning and Real Estate Officer. During his tenure at Penn, Mr. Blaik led the effort to enhance the quality of life on campus and in the neighborhood by creating a vibrant and engaging environment in which students, faculty, and staff can learn, live, work, and play. Under his management, Penn embarked on more than $2 billion of construction and real estate development transforming both campus and the surrounding community.
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