December 19, 2022

Welcome to People and Properties, the Cohen-Esrey newsletter where we celebrate the successes of our team members and keep you informed about what is happening in the Cohen-Esrey world. If you have something you would like to share or an achievement that you would like to celebrate, please send it to Lee Harris at lharris@cohenesrey.com. If you are on a property, please print and distribute this newsletter to each member of your property team. You can also find People and Properties on KnowledgeNet. Click here to view previous editions.

Hospital Life in Western Kansas

The St. Thomas Historic Residences began life in Colby, KS, as the St. Thomas Hospital and was constructed in 1941 through the Works Progress Administration (WPA), a federal program that funded the construction of 130 new hospitals nationwide and improvements to 1,670 more. There were only two new hospitals in Kansas constructed with WPA funds – one in Colby and the other in Oswego. The three-story Colby hospital was designed by Kansas City architect Joseph Radotinsky in the Georgian Revival style utilizing brick salvaged from the old high school on the same site. The facility was expanded in 1948, under the supervision of Wichita architects Overend and Boucher, to include a four-story addition housing a new polio ward and emergency facilities and a two-story chapel. It was nominated as part of the New Deal-Era Resources of Kansas multiple property nomination for its significance in the areas of health and medicine. The once dilapidated former Catholic hospital was re-developed by the Cohen-Esrey Development Group (CEDG) and re-opened in 2014 as 30 affordable workforce housing units. The $7.5 million project was funded using federal and state historic tax credits and federal affordable housing tax credits. One bedroom apartments are 950 square feet and rent for the incredibly low rate of $425 to $500 per month. Residents enjoy a fitness center, community rooms including a former chapel, picnic area with barbeque grill, playground, and a gazebo. PreservingUS, Inc. (PUI) provides services to the residents and is a sponsor for the project.

Colby is the county seat of Thomas County, KS. The population according to the 2020 census was 5,570. In 1882, a post office was established near the center of Thomas County. Area homesteaders lived under harsh conditions in sod houses, creating demand for a town to provide lumber and other provisions to incoming settlers. J.R. Colby, a local land assessor and preacher, obtained a patent to establish the town in April 1884, and land was acquired for the town site three miles north of the post office in March 1885. The Union Pacific Railroad reached the city in 1887, and the Rock Island Railroad followed the next year. Colby is the home of the Colby Community College, and Interstate-70 runs immediately south of the city. Only 45 miles east of the Colorado border, Colby is just 35 miles from Goodland, KS, the next major community to the west. CEDG also re-developed the former historic junior high school in Goodland to provide 21 affordable units. Healthcare-related organizations are one of the primary employers in Colby. Agriculture is big business for the community and the area.

Amanda Trew (2020) is the Property Manager and also manages the Grant Historic Residences in Goodland, KS. Dawn Boyer (2022) is the Regional Manager, Kurt Parrett (2008) is the Senior Property Accountant, Nancy Lewis (2021) is the Accounting Assistant, and Rodney Chmidling (2015) is the Accounts Payable Specialist.

We welcome the following new team members to Cohen-Esrey and the Nexus 5 Group.

Merry Zamora – South Pointe, Dallas, TX – Assistant Property Manager
Louis Ordini – Lakes at North Port, North Port, FL – Maintenance Technician
Anissa Sanders – Sullivan Place, St. Louis, MO – Assistant Property Manager
Erick Jensen – House Springs, House Springs, MO – Maintenance Technician
Marilyn Perez – South Pointe, Dallas, TX – Leasing Agent
Teresa Rowe – Champion at Bluegrass – Assistant Property Manager
Bethany Ford – Tall Oaks, Conyers, GA – Leasing Agent
Carmelitta Redmond – Life Skills, Kirkwood, MO – Property Manager
Christi Bolton – The Park at Forest Hill, Memphis, TN – Leasing Agent

Meet the Southeast Kansas Team

Meet the Southeast Kansas team. Amber Rodriguez (2021), Property Manager, and Christopher Riemens (2022), Maintenance Technician, are responsible for the Washington Historic Residences and Eighth and Main Senior Residences in Independence, KS, the Gold Dust Historic Residences in Fredonia, KS, and the Woodson Historic Residences in Yates Center, KS. All four properties were developed by the Cohen-Esrey Development Group (CEDG).

CEDG Enters the Colorado Springs Market

The Cohen-Esrey Development Group (CEDG) recently closed into a partnership with a national investor that will construct the Panorama Heights Apartments, an affordable workforce housing community in Colorado Springs, CO, at a cost of $45 million. The 3.3 acre-site on the southeast side of the city will be home to 133 one, two, and three-bedroom units ranging from 750 to 1,200 square feet. Construction is expected to take 18 months and the building will be ready for occupancy in 2024. The four-story, two-elevator structure over a parking podium will boast numerous amenities such as a community room with kitchen, fitness center, dog park and wash, picnic area, playground, and bicycle storage.

Congratulations to the CEDG Mountain West development team including Lisa Sorensen (2019), Development Director, and Nick Emenhiser (2022), Development Manager who have been leading the effort to launch this project. Other assistance has been provided by Sonya Shifflett-Bly (2018), Development Manager, Jack Brenton (2018), Development Manager, Lauren Cano (2021), Development Manager, Kyle Ervin (2021), Project Manager for Construction Technologies (CT), and Tim Minson (2019), Vice President, Design and Construction for CT. Phil Melton (2022), Managing Director of Cohen-Esrey Capital Partners (CECP) participated in securing the financing. Thanks also goes to Becky Trost (2015), CEDG Accountant, and Susan Belisle (2019), CT Construction Coordinator, for their involvement with the closing draw submission.

James is Moving on Up!

Let’s all celebrate the promotion of James Huss (2013), from his former role of Area Manager to his new position as a Regional Manager for Cohen-Esrey Communities (CEC)! James began his career with CEC as the Property Manager for Silverwood in Mission, KS. He later became the Property Manager at Town Center in Leawood, KS. He transferred to UMKC Homes in Kansas City, MO, as the Property Manager; became a roving Property Manager in 2017; and then became the Property Manager at Jefferson on the Lake in Olathe, KS. His final assignment was that of an Area Manager before his most recent promotion. Clearly, James has extensive experience in the industry and has been a dedicated and Committed member of the Cohen-Esrey team for the last decade. His market-rate portfolio has been expanded to include properties in the Kansas City area as well as Chicago and a new property to be added in Oklahoma.

James has started working on his Certified Property Manager (CPM) designation and we appreciate him for his good humor and the way he delivers all the Cohen-Esrey Core Values. Just for fun, we have also included one of James’ baby photos – isn’t he adorable!

Huge kudos for James!

Another Promotion Earned

Alyssa Garza (2022) has been promoted from Property Manager for Loretto at Creekside to Area Manager for Cohen-Esrey Communities (CEC). She will oversee Loretto at Creekside (San Antonio, TX), the Preserve at Westover Hills (San Antonio, TX), and the Champion at Bluegrass (Lexington, KY). Alyssa has been in the apartment industry for more than 15 years and has served in many roles throughout her career. She strives for excellence, and she has proven that she never gives up and will continue to “lead by example.” In her spare time, she enjoys her family time with her three girls. It is a testament to her performance that she has earned this promotion in less than a year and yet another example of how Cohen-Esrey Empowers People to Thrive.

Congratulations, Alyssa!

Congratulations, Paige!

Congratulations are in order for our very own Paige Bohling (2022) who has earned a Master of Accountancy with a concentration in Forensic Accounting, graduating in December 2022 from Purdue University Northwest. Paige previously graduated from Purdue University Northwest in 2020 with a Bachelor of Science in Business with a major in accounting. She plans to begin pursuing her Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation in the next two years. Paige is a Property Accountant for Cohen-Esrey Communities (CEC).

Way to go, Paige!

iiM Invests in Impetus Ag

By Lydia Kinkade (2013), iiM Managing Director

iiM, LLC (Innovation in Motion), is an affiliate of Cohen-Esrey that invests in early-stage companies in the animal health, agriculture, and human health verticals. iiM is led by Lydia Kinkade (2013), Managing Director, who is also the Fund Manager for our apartment co-investment platforms. Recently, iiM completed an investment of $500,000 in Impetus Ag. Impetus Ag has developed a number of patent-protected insect control biochemicals that are environmentally friendly and designed to extend or enhance the insect control spectrum of current topical and transgenic commercial products. In plain terms, the company has developed a non-chemical biopesticide that enhances the effectiveness of an existing toxin to control pests and reduce the likelihood of resistance. Proof of concept studies have already shown effectiveness in controlling Fall Army Worm on corn, with indications that the same approach can be used for other insects and other crops. Impetus Ag is led by CEO Martha Schlicher, PhD, a serial entrepreneur who previously led another iiM portfolio company, Plastomics. As part of the terms of iiM’s $500,000 investment into the company, iiM will hold a board observer role and can participate in their Grower’s Advisory Council. Including Impetus Ag, iiM has made 31 investments across 21 portfolio companies since 2015 with $6,555,546 being deployed across these verticals. Another sizable new investment is expected to close before year-end. Nicholas Hense (2021), Principal, helped facilitate the due diligence and closing process.

Another Empowerment Story

By Barbee Houk (2022), Leasing Agent, Brighton Creek

Barbee Houk, (2022), is the Leasing Agent at one of Cohen-Esrey Apartment Investors (CEAI) newer assets, Brighton Creek in Kansas City, MO. Here is what she has to say about her Empowerment:

When I came to Cohen-Esrey I was new to this industry and was unsure what (if anything) I could do for them, or even what they could do for me. Since I came from a customer-based background having worked as a waitress all the way to a retail manager, I knew whatever was put in front of me I could achieve. That is where Cohen-Esrey and I come together in our ideals. We both have a high standard of presentation and results. When you meet me, or you walk onto a Cohen-Esrey property you will see pride, determination, and the truth. What is presented to you is what you will get. That is why I want to pursue a future with Cohen-Esrey and one day go from the leasing professional position to one where I can help others to strive for their goals and at the same time keep building on the pursuit of excellence that is at the heart of this company. Cohen-Esrey has Empowered Me to Thrive by helping me go above and beyond what my job description says. I want to be able to Empower new and current team members to thrive like Cohen-Esrey has done for me.

A Healthy Tip

By Jennifer Turner, SHRM-SCP (2018), Director of Human Resources

10 Tips for Staying Healthy at Work

Are you struggling with staying healthy while working an 8-5 lifestyle? Check out these helpful tips below:

Avoid snacks. You know, those delicious snacks that your co-workers bring in or your customers drop by? Having one occasionally won’t hurt anything, but day after day those calories add up and can add a few extra pounds before you know it. Try the “out of sight out of mind” method and avoid those temptations.
Drink water. Make sure that you are drinking enough water throughout the day. Many foods, such as fruits, can also provide a good source of water. You know that 2:00 slump? That can sometimes be due to dehydration.
Exercise. Taking a walk during your lunch break is a great way to exercise at work. Not only are you burning calories but walking also reduces stress and helps you re-focus.
Eat a healthy lunch. Eating healthy options is an important part of a balanced diet, and eating balanced portions is an important part of your health.
Stretch. Make sure to take a few breaks throughout the day to stretch.
Distance your screen. If you work at a computer most of the day, make sure your computer screen is arms distance away. This can reduce the risk of eyestrain and headaches.
Avoid consecutive long days. Avoid working long hours several days in a row. Your body needs time to re-charge and re-focus.
Clean your equipment. Whether that includes a keyboard, phone, mouse, etc. make sure the items you touch daily are clean.
Be smart. Make sure you are aware of any health risks in your work surroundings.
Know your limits. Listen to your body and take breaks as needed.

Nexus 5 Project Spotlight

The Nexus 5 project team (l to r) – Brian Weber, Project Manager, Buel McDonald (2019), Superintendent, and Jessica Bell (2014), Project Engineer.

Monolith Materials is another tenant improvement project completed by the Nexus 5 Group at the Edison District Building in downtown Overland Park, KS. It is a pleasure to have served the people at Edison District for the last three years along with the team at Monolith. This 4,300 square foot space buildout was completed in approximately 10 weeks.

Monolith was founded in 2012 with the belief that you could build both a profitable company and create a cleaner world through technology. In 2021 and beyond, Monolith has continued to expand its facilities and develop additional sites to serve global demand for carbon-free hydrogen and clean carbon black.

Monolith is working to quickly sale up its operations in Nebraska while also planning rapid expansion to serve the clean hydrogen, carbon black, and ammonia demands of clients across North America and around the world.

“The Nexus 5 Group was great to work with in many different areas. They kept to their timeline and to our budget. They listened to our concerns and responded appropriately. Brian, Buel, and the entire team met our expectations, we really enjoy our space!” Jennifer Brown, Executive Assistant at Monolith, and main contact for the project.

“Time constraints with construction are always a challenge. We, at Nexus 5, demand constant communication with our clients. Jennifer was a great fit for us and was on top of all matters and it was a great collective effort to get Monolith Materials in and operating on time. We were happy to deliver this great space.” Brian Weber (2020), Project Manager at the Nexus 5 Group.

Another Blast From the Past

Did you know that there have been multiple business units in Cohen-Esrey’s past that aren’t part of our family of companies today? In each of the next few issues of People & Properties we will highlight one such business unit.

In 1996, Cohen-Esrey teamed with the principals of Facility Ventures to form FaciliTeam, LLC. The new company was created to provide facility and transition management as well as space planning and design. At the time, Cohen-Esrey had a commercial property portfolio totaling several million square feet, and clients were requesting expanded services. The FaciliTeam operation involved 25 professionals including facility managers, architects, space planners, building engineers and transition managers that focused primarily on corporate and institutional facilities. The firm had on-site facility management assignments for the Stowers Medical Research Institute, the Sprint World Headquarters campus, as well as Blue Cross and Blue Shield. Other clients included Allied Signal, Gateway 2000 Computers, Informix, American Academy of Family Physicians, Fidelity Acceptance Corporation, and the Kansas City Missouri Water Services Department.

Many of the firm’s clients were large single tenant or owner-occupied space users. Often, they would need to expand an entire department. FaciliTeam would plan and execute the move of employees in the designated area to other parts of the building, and then space plan and build-out the expanded department space. This included details such as purchasing and assembling office furniture systems. The company was able to provide any level of service desired from contracted building engineers for a facility to undertake the coordination and supervision of the entire facility operations of a building or campus. Components of the program encompassed process audits preventive maintenance, utility control, landscaping, snow removal, HVAC/mechanical repairs, janitorial service, structural repairs, and third-party vendor management. Experienced team members were able to address security, employee safety, emergency response planning, and corporate disaster recovery planning.

The venture was growing at a frenetic pace and was requiring such substantial time and focus on the part of Cohen-Esrey that it was becoming a distraction from the core business units. After a couple of years, Cohen-Esrey principals sold their interests in FaciliTeam to the operating partners.

NPS Leaderboards

The three NPS Leaderboards have been updated as of December 16, 2022, and we’ve seen a shake-up at the top of one of the Leaderboards. In the 50-Units or Less category Clay Hall (Enid, OK) increased it’s NPS to the highest ever recorded on a Leaderboard – a world-class +95.35. In the Properties 51 to 120-Units category, Freedom Place (Kansas City, KS) has edged into the lead with an NPS of +77.78. And in the Properties of More than 120-Units category, The Boulevard (Springfield, IL), continues its incredible run with an NPS of +93.15 – an increase over the prior month! There are 33 properties on a Leaderboard – one more than last month.

We continue to recognize those properties with a Maintenance Survey NPS that is equal to or exceeds our Overall NPS of +35. To qualify a property must have surveys from the equivalent of 40% of its units or more. We continue to emphasize the importance of providing improved maintenance service to deliver Customer Fulfillment. There are 19 properties this month – a decrease over last month. With the New Year right around the corner, let’s redouble our efforts to provide amazing maintenance service to our customers.

Maintenance Ticket Surveys