Conference ends with a bit of optimism

While the regional market is even worse than the grim national situation, real estate professionals at the Urban Land Institute conference concluded with remarks that called for creativity, optimism and conviction. Everyone is tired of repeated pessimism from Wall Street, said Joseph E. Brown, COO of San Francisco-based EDAW Inc. The networking and deal-making that occurred at the conference shows that the industry isn’t moribund, he said. Eric Swanson, vice president of Flagler Development Group’s South Florida office, said market fundamentals are still good, and the end of the credit crisis will provide a lift.