Send us a text

Summary: Morgan and I talk all about housing affordability at the County level

________________________________________________________

Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development, you can subscribe to the Top Five. It’s free if you want it to be!
________________________________________________________

Big Takeaways:
- The connection between housing and healthcare.
- Wake County has a housing deficit of 65,000 homes.
- Wake County just launched a new data platform and is working on a housing acquisition fund.

________________________________________________________

About Morgan:
Morgan Mansa serves as the Director of Housing Affordability & Community Revitalization for Wake County, where she leads efforts to expand affordable housing, preserve existing units, and support residents through homelessness, permanent supportive housing, and veteran services initiatives.

With extensive experience in housing policy and community development, her previous roles include Director of Housing and Community Partnerships for Cary, North Carolina; Executive Director of Nashville’s Housing Trust Fund; Policy Advisor for the Tennessee Housing Development Agency; and Executive Director of the Chicago Area Fair Housing Alliance.

Morgan holds a BA in Sociology and a Master of Public Policy & Administration from Northwestern University, leveraging her extensive expertise to drive impactful and equitable housing solutions.

Connect with Morgan: Website | LinkedIn

Mentioned in the show:
- Wake County Housing Data Platform
- [BOOK] The Geography of Opportunity: Race and Housing Choice in Metropolitan America
- Affordable Housing Advisory Working Group
- [BOOK] Homelessness is a Housing Problem: How Structural Factors Explain U.S. Patterns

________________________________________________________

Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development, you can subscribe to the Top Five. It’s free if you want it to be!

Show Notes:
Welcome to Dirt NC, where we talk all about the places and spaces of North Carolina and the people who make them awesome. I am your host, Jed Byrne.

Throughout my career in engineering, construction, finance, and development, I have worked on nearly every aspect of the land use ecosystem. This show provides an opportunity for me to share what I've learned with you, as well as introduce you to some of my friends, both new and old, who are doing transformative work.

With each episode of Dirt NC, my goal is to make sure you walk away learning something new about land use. I promise to keep it simple and straightforward.

As always, I am grateful that you have chosen to share this time with me! If you have comments, questions, or suggestions about Dirt NC or any land-use related matter, you can connect with me at

Send us a text

Summary: Monte and I talk about incremental development and starting a 12 Steps to Town Making small-scale developer ecosystem.

________________________________________________________

Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development, you can subscribe to the Top Five. It’s free if you want it to be!
________________________________________________________

Big Takeaways:
- There are four corners to any small-scale ecosystem: the Public, Private, Non-Profit, and Financial Sectors.
- How Monte’s room mate house works.
- The 12 Steps to Town Making.

________________________________________________________

About Monte:
Monte Anderson is a passionate advocate for revitalizing underserved communities across the United States. As president of Options Real Estate, a sales, management, and development company in Southern Dallas County, he applies his deep commitment to improving neighborhoods, particularly those that are impoverished or overlooked. His approach focuses on empowering local residents and fostering sustainable economic growth through small-scale, incremental development.

With other like minded colleagues he met through Strong Towns and The Congress for the New Urbanism, Monte co-founded the Incremental Development Alliance and then Neighborhood Evolution (NEVO), two teaching organizations focused on small scale development, local ownership, and building eco systems for cities and towns that encourage this work.

He also co-authored and now teaches "The Twelve Steps of Town Making" which has resulted in success stories all over the country.

Connect with Monte: Website | LinkedIn | Instagram

Mentioned in the show:
- Congress for New Urbanism
- Neighborhood Evolution
- NYT Article on Monte’s Roommate House
- Strong Towns
- [Book] Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect
- Grow Desoto Market Place
- [Book] 12 Steps to Town Making
_______________________________________________________

Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development, you can subscribe to the Top Five. It’s free if you want it to be!

Show Notes:
Welcome to Dirt NC, where we talk all about the places and spaces of North Carolina and the people who make them awesome. I am your host, Jed Byrne.

Throughout my career in engineering, construction, finance, and development, I have worked on nearly every aspect of the land use ecosystem. This show provides an opportunity for me to share what I've learned with you, as well as introduce you to some of my friends, both new and old, who are doing transformative work.

With each episode of Dirt NC, my goal

Send us a text

Summary: Emila and I discuss housing and homelessness at the City level.

________________________________________________________

Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development, you can subscribe to the Top Five. It’s free if you want it to be!
________________________________________________________

Big Takeaways:
- When it comes to homelessness, it costs more to do nothing than it costs to do something.
- The definition of functional zero homelessness.
- As housing affordability decreases, homelessness tends to increase.

________________________________________________________

About Emila:
Sutton currently serves as the Housing & Neighborhoods Director for the City of Raleigh, overseeing initiatives in affordable housing, homelessness, small business development, and code enforcement programs. The department's goal is to increase the supply of safe, decent, and affordable housing, and overall enhance the lives of Raleigh residents. Key programs include affordable housing rental development, homeownership assistance, small business development, home rehabilitation, and several homelessness-related initiatives.

Sutton holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, a Master’s degree in History, and a Juris Doctor (JD).

Connect with Emila: Website | LinkedIn

Mentioned in the show:
- The cost of homelessness in Dallas & Collin Counties
- Ending Chronic Homelessness Saves Taxpayers Money
- Raleigh Resources for Housing Crises and Homelessness
- [Book] Homelessness is a Housing Problem
- 2017 HUD and National Alliance to End Homelessness - cost of homelessness

Additional Resources:
- [Video] Can luxury housing do anything for homelessness?
- [Podcast] Episode 66: Chronic Homelessness and Housing First with Tim Aubry (Pathways Home pt. 6)

________________________________________________________

Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development, you can subscribe to the Top Five. It’s free if you want it to be!

Show Notes:
Welcome to Dirt NC, where we talk all about the places and spaces of North Carolina and the people who make them awesome. I am your host, Jed Byrne.

Throughout my career in engineering, construction, finance, and development, I have worked on nearly every aspect of the land use ecosystem. This show provides an opportunity for me to share what I've learned with you, as well as introduce you to some of my friends, both ne

Send us a text

Summary: Zachery and I talk about all things local media.

________________________________________________________

Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development, you can subscribe to the Top Five. It’s free if you want it to be!
________________________________________________________

Big Takeaways:
- The process of producing Axios.
- The intersection of media and education.
- The tradeoffs in development and growth.

________________________________________________________

About Zachery:
Zachery Eanes is a reporter with Axios Raleigh, where he covers everything from statewide business and economic trends to local politics.

Connect with Zachery: Website | LinkedIn | Twitter

Mentioned in the show:
- The Bike Library
- [Book] Abundance
- Subscribe to Axios Raleigh

________________________________________________________

Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development, you can subscribe to the Top Five. It’s free if you want it to be!

Show Notes:
Welcome to Dirt NC, where we talk all about the places and spaces of North Carolina and the people who make them awesome. I am your host, Jed Byrne.

Throughout my career in engineering, construction, finance, and development, I have worked on nearly every aspect of the land use ecosystem. This show provides an opportunity for me to share what I've learned with you, as well as introduce you to some of my friends, both new and old, who are doing transformative work.

With each episode of Dirt NC, my goal is to make sure you walk away learning something new about land use. I promise to keep it simple and straightforward.

As always, I am grateful that you have chosen to share this time with me! If you have comments, questions, or suggestions about Dirt NC or any land-use related matter, you can connect with me at www.oakcitycre.com.

Until next time, thank you!

Send us a text

Summary: Kallie and I talk all about development and what’s happening at North Hills and beyond.

________________________________________________________

Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to the Top Five. It’s free if you want it to be!
________________________________________________________

Big Take Aways:
- Developers aren’t responsible for growth.
- Learning about simple Bike/Pedestrian infrastructure in New Zealand.
- The importance of “pioneering” capital and development.

________________________________________________________

About Kallie:
Since joining Kane Realty in 2015, Kallie has risen through the ranks to her current position as Director of Development, managing mixed-use development projects throughout Raleigh from conception to completion. During her tenure, she has overseen over $1 billion in development, with projects including The Dillon in Downtown Raleigh and Peace Apartments & Publix grocery store in Downtown's revitalized Smoky Hollow neighborhood. Her largest project to date is the North Hills Main District Expansion, which replaces underutilized retail and parking with a dense, urban redevelopment focused on outdoor space and walkability.

She is passionate about urban infill, maximizing utility of underused sites and infusing her community with lasting vitality. A creative problem solver, she loves putting together the many, varied pieces of a complex project.

Originally from Atlanta, Kallie found her way to North Carolina after graduating from the University of South Carolina and now considers Raleigh home. She lives in Five Points with her husband and two dogs, and when she is not working toward a bright future for her home city, you can find her traveling and saltwater flyfishing.

Connect with Kallie: Website | LinkedIn

Mentioned in the show:
- Makers Alley
- Urban Land Institute Triangle
- Development Stake Holders Meeting
- Capital Stack Explainer Video
- North Hills Innovation District (NHID)
- New Zealand Cycling Network Map

________________________________________________________

Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to the Top Five. It’s free if you want it to be!

Show Notes:
Welcome to Dirt NC where we talk all about the places and spaces of North Carolina and the people who make them awesome, I am your host Jed Byrne.

Throughout my career in engineering, construction, finance, and development, I have covered just about all sides of the land use ecosystem. This show creates an opportunity for me to share what I have learned with you as well as introduce you to some of my friends, both new and old who are doing transformative work.

With each episode of Dirt NC my goal is to make sure you walk

Send us a text

Summary: Lindsay and I talk about coffee, community, and inclusion.

________________________________________________________

Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to the Top Five. It’s free if you want it to be!
________________________________________________________

Big Take Aways:
- The power of a single prompt “What would you do with $50K and a gap year?”
- 321 Coffee has shipped product to 50 of 50 states.
- How to build more inclusive spaces with “sliders.”
- Lindsay’s dream collaborations.

________________________________________________________

About Lindsay:
Lindsay Wrege is the co-founder and CEO of 321 Coffee, a coffee shop and roaster based in Raleigh, NC that employs individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Her inclusive staff, featuring people with down syndrome, autism, and other forms of neurodiversity, together are modeling inclusion for others to follow.

She started this company in her college dorm room, and it now has 5 locations and employs over 50 adults with IDD.

Lindsay believes in the power of using business for social impact.

Connect with Lindsay: Website | LinkedIn

Mentioned in the show:
- Lindsay’s speaking website.

________________________________________________________

Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to the Top Five. It’s free if you want it to be!

Show Notes:
Welcome to Dirt NC where we talk all about the places and spaces of North Carolina and the people who make them awesome, I am your host Jed Byrne.

Throughout my career in engineering, construction, finance, and development, I have covered just about all sides of the land use ecosystem. This show creates an opportunity for me to share what I have learned with you as well as introduce you to some of my friends, both new and old who are doing transformative work.

With each episode of Dirt NC my goal is to make sure you walk away learning something new about land use. I promise to keep it simple and straight to the point.

As always, I am grateful that you have chosen to share this time with me! If you have comments/questions/suggestions about Dirt NC or anything land use related you can connect with me on www.oakcitycre.com.

Until next time, Thank you!

Send us a text

Summary: Eric and I talk all about Affordable Housing and housing affordability.

________________________________________________________

Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to the Top Five. It’s free if you want it to be!
________________________________________________________

Big Take Aways:
-Affordable Housing vs affordable housing vs housing affordability definitions.
- The three unique things universities can bring to the housing affordability conversation: convening, research, and education.
-Filtering and the impact of a healthy vacancy rate for housing.

________________________________________________________

About Eric:
Eric Maribojoc is a Professor of the Practice at the Kenan-Flagler School of Business at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He is also an Associate Director of the UNC Wood Center for Real Estate Studies and leads its Affordable Housing Initiative.

He was most previously the Executive Director of the Center for Real Estate Entrepreneurship at the George Mason University School of Business in Fairfax, Virginia.

He is a real estate professional with over 25 years of experience in all facets of commercial and residential properties, working with private real estate investment funds prior to his work in higher education.

Before George Mason, he taught at the graduate real estate program at the Kogod School of Business at American University in Washington D.C., where he earned his MBA in Finance and Real Estate.

He has served on numerous public and civic organizations focused on commercial real estate and housing including the Fairfax County Board of Zoning Appeals, as a board member of the Northern Virginia Affordable Housing Alliance, and as a commissioner of the Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority.

Connect with Eric: Website | LinkedIn

Mentioned in the show:
- UNC Leonard W. Wood Center for Real Estate Studies
- Housing Affordability Initiative

________________________________________________________

Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to the Top Five. It’s free if you want it to be!

Show Notes:
Welcome to Dirt NC where we talk all about the places and spaces of North Carolina and the people who make them awesome, I am your host Jed Byrne.

Throughout my career in engineering, construction, finance, and development, I have covered just about all sides of the land use ecosystem. This show creates an opportunity for me to share what I have learned with you as well as introduce you to some of my friends, both new and old who are doing transformative work.

With each episode of Dirt NC my goal is to make sure you walk away learning something new about land use. I promise to keep it simple and straight to the point.

As always, I am grateful that

Send us a text

Summary: Tyler and I talk all about growing an architecture media business.

________________________________________________________

Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to the Top Five. It’s free if you want it to be!
________________________________________________________

Big Take Aways:
- Best advice to architects: Write well, ask better questions.
- Sales is a losing game.
- The challenges and opportunities of growing a media business.

________________________________________________________

About Tyler:
Tyler Suomala is the Creator of Growthitect, a weekly newsletter that shares sales & marketing strategies with more than 12k architects.

Connect with Tyler: Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | YouTube

Mentioned in the show:
- Growthitect Podcast
- The Studio
- Growthitect Newsletter

________________________________________________________

Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to the Top Five. It’s free if you want it to be!

Show Notes:
Welcome to Dirt NC where we talk all about the places and spaces of North Carolina and the people who make them awesome, I am your host Jed Byrne.

Throughout my career in engineering, construction, finance, and development, I have covered just about all sides of the land use ecosystem. This show creates an opportunity for me to share what I have learned with you as well as introduce you to some of my friends, both new and old who are doing transformative work.

With each episode of Dirt NC my goal is to make sure you walk away learning something new about land use. I promise to keep it simple and straight to the point.

As always, I am grateful that you have chosen to share this time with me! If you have comments/questions/suggestions about Dirt NC or anything land use related you can connect with me on www.oakcitycre.com.

Until next time, Thank you!