CRE Consulting Corps Panel to Map Strategy for School Board Properties
New Orleans, LA – January 12, 2011 – (RealEstateRama) — A panel of distinguished national real estate experts from the Consulting Corps of The Counselors of Real Estate (CRE) will be working with the Orleans Parish School Board (OPSB) this week to map strategy for 37 properties in the school board’s portfolio.
The Counselors of Real Estate project panel will assist OPSB obtain realistic appraisals for the surplus properties; create models to determine the highest and best use for each property; explore the most tax-efficient means to maximize the value of the properties, and present specific parcel-by-parcel plans of action for each property. After meeting with school board representatives and city officials, the panel hopes to leave New Orleans with an in-depth understanding of the city’s geography, current demographics and trends, and specific detailed information for each of the 37 properties. Guidelines for appraisals of the assets will also be developed during the week. The commercial real estate firm Latter & Blum, Inc. will host the meetings between OPSB and the Consulting Corps in their New Orleans offices.
Subsequent work will include extensive interviews with key stakeholders—including area residents, school board members and staff, city officials, potential developers, etc.—and preliminary financial analysis and modeling. Finally, the team will reconvene and present findings, conclusions and recommendations to the OPSB following the appraisals and appraisal reviews.
The Consulting Corps of The Counselors of Real Estate has been lending its expertise in real estate consulting to municipalities, not-for-profit organizations, educational institutions and government agencies for more than ten years. This outreach is a volunteer public service program designed to provide access to the highest levels of real estate expertise from around the U.S. and the world. The group members’ experience and skills are tailored to the specific project. Since its inception, the Consulting Corps has provided strategic as well as action plans for a wide variety of real estate problems faced by not-for-profit organizations, municipalities, government agencies, and educational institutions.
About the Orleans Parish School Board
The Orleans Parish School Board is committed to creating the nation’s best school system by utilizing creative, innovative 21st century programs to produce graduates of unparalled quality and thereby improving the lives of students from all socioeconomic backgrounds. The mission of OPSB is to provide quality learning environments that promote academic excellence and engage the family and community in the support of student achievement.
The Counselors of Real Estate, established in 1953, is an international group of high profile professionals including members of prominent real estate, financial, legal and accounting firms as well as leaders of government and academia who provide expert, objective advice on complex real property situations and land-related matters. Membership is selective, extended by invitation only. The organization’s CRE (Counselor of Real Estate) credential is awarded to all members in recognition of superior problem solving ability in various areas of real estate counseling. For more information, contact The Counselors of Real Estate, 430 N. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611; 312/329.8427; http://www.cre.org
