Development Strategies announces a leadership transition to a new ownership group comprised of Larry Marks, AIA, AICP, Brad Beggs, MAI, and Matt Wetli, AICP. Over the past 30 years, Development Strategies has guided thousands of clients in realizing opportunities with strategies aimed at creating livable places and fostering economic growth.
Beggs has advised on real estate for 26 years at Development Strategies, including 10 as an owner. “As we enter 30th year, we have a great team in place to serve our clients.”, he said. “Matt’s leadership as a Principal has helped position the firm to be without peer in the services we provide—really leveraging our private sector knowledge of real estate markets and finance to benefit public sector communities as well.”
“The future of this company is helping cities, companies, and institutions plan for a better future, whether that’s job growth and innovation, better buildings and places, or bringing people together to invest in the next generation—that’s how we define development, be it economic, real estate or community. The common thread in all our work is that we get to serve people who want to leave something behind that is better than what is there today,” said Wetli, who has been with the firm 13 years.
Over three decades, the company has steadily grown by adapting to change. “There have been fundamental shifts in the way people take in information and our understanding of the complexity the systems that shape our lives. Cities need firms that can broaden the audience by being more visual, personal, and immediate in their communication, and increase their impact by being more holistic in their solutions,” said Wetli. “They need advisors who can engage people on the tangible issues that everyone sees, but also the ones beneath the surface that lead to the most meaningful change. We have intentionally added policy, design, and storytelling to our skill sets of planning, economics, and real estate in order to be that firm.”
While based in St. Louis, Development Strategies’ practice is increasingly national with a focus on making an impact, one place at a time. It has been involved in many successful projects, including Ballpark Village in St Louis, Cortex Innovation District in St. Louis, City Foundry, the Downtown Plans and Business Development Strategies for Louisville, Toledo, and Akron, the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy for St. Louis County and St. Louis City, a Strategic Plan for Quincy, Illinois and the Comprehensive Plan for Asheville, North Carolina.
Current projects include a Downtown Strategy for Blacksburg, Virginia, a Real Estate Strategy for Bowling Green, Ohio, a transit corridor study for the City of St. Louis, a neighborhood plan for Linden in Columbus, Ohio, as well as many other projects located throughout the United States.
