Welcome to this special edition of St. Louis Commerce Magazine on real estate and the Urban Land Institute symposium “Investments in Progress in the Urban Marketplace.” The biannual, half-day program May 2 at The Chase Park Plaza Hotel is being held under the auspices of ULI St. Louis and is sponsored by the RCGA. This month’s cover story by Bill Beggs Jr. features four case studies that will be highlighted during the symposium: The St. Louis Business Center industrial park, the Parsons Place neighborhood in East St. Louis, the Mississippi Lofts in Lafayette Square, and the multi-development Station Plaza in Kirkwood. The symposium format will provide in-depth insights into these four unique projects and will include a number of other breakout roundtables featuring both public and private sector players. It provides an opportunity for investors, developers, or customers who want to learn more about the urban real estate market in St. Louis. The keynote speaker this year will be Pinnacle Entertainment Chairman and CEO Dan Lee. Pinnacle is nearing the completion of its $430 million development in downtown, which will include a casino, luxury hotel and convention space. Pinnacle is also expected to complete another $375 million casino project in Lemay next year. These projects are just two of 16 real-estate developments featured this month by Christine Imbs. The RCGA Economic Development team with Richard Ward of Development Strategies and Richard Shepard of Real Estate Strategies helped narrow down the list. “The size and number of major deals is truly amazing,” Shepard says. This month's issue of St. Louis Commerce Magazine also features a variety of other perspectives on the regional real estate market, including insights from Colliers Turley Martin Tucker’s State of the Real Estate Forum and a roundtable discussion. One of the fastest growing segments is warehouse space. Jim Baer writes that nearly five million square feet of warehouse space was completed last year. Occupancy increased by another 2.3 million square feet. Well-known tenants include Dial Products, Hershey, and Procter and Gamble, which receives 800 shipments of goods per day. Also this month some of St. Louis’ top homebuilders discuss where they think the next hot spots for homebuilding are in the region. Plus, Linda Jarrett profiles programs for students wanting to make a mark in urban planning and real-estate development. And finally in our spotlight this month, Christine Imbs features Derek Glanvill, president and COO of McCarthy Building Companies. The immigrant from South Africa says: “We’re making a difference. And making a difference is what life’s all about.” We hope you enjoy reading this issue of St. Louis Commerce Magazine. As always, please send your comments and suggestions to us at dfleming@stlrcga.org. RICHARD C.D. FLEMING President and Chief Executive Officer St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth Association

April 2007 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Cover Story: The Lou’s Got a New Urban Attitude ULI’s Young Leaders Group Richard Ward & Dick Shepard Grand Prix Speedways - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - www.stlrcga.org - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Art Partners The NEW North St. Louis The Black Rep Carl’s Drive-in - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -