Rich Hanson, longtime ULI Member, Named New Preservation Compact Co-chair

Rich Hanson, Principal at Mesa Development, LLC, is no stranger to the issue of housing preservation or civic involvement.  When asked why he accepted the invitation to co-chair The Preservation Compact his answer was simple:  “It was natural for me to say yes because I care deeply about these issues.  Who wouldn't?”

Rich, an Urban Land Institute (ULI) member for the past 20 years, believes that housing preservation is only one piece of the affordable housing puzzle, but it is an essential first step.  He explains that unless we begin to focus more energy and resources on preserving what we've got, we can't hope to begin to reverse trends. Furthermore, he knows that employers and business owners can't be successful if they don't find places to put affordable housing for employees.  “The long-term sustainability of our companies depends more and more on affordable housing” he explains. 
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Accepting the co-chair position, Rich will partner with Julia Stasch, his long-time business associate and now, fellow co-chair.  Julia and Rich worked together professionally in the real estate business in the 1970's and 1980's.  Before founding Mesa Development, Rich spent 16 years as President and Vice Chairman of Stein & Company and also spent three years at its successor Mesirow Stein Real Estate, Inc. He has been involved in many of Chicago's major developments.  In 2000, when Mesa Development was first getting started with the Stateway Gardens Redevelopment, Rich and his staff participated in dozens of community meetings for the Chicago Housing Authority's Plan for Transformation which laid the groundwork for the de-concentration of public housing in Chicago.  Through that experience, Rich became keenly aware of the challenges low income families face and the need for strong communities and safe neighborhoods.

In addition to his professional achievements, Rich has many community connections.  He is a former trustee for DePaul University, an institution very close to his heart.  He was the first person in his family to go to college and he feels the University serves a very important role for students with a lot of potential who do not come from privileged backgrounds.  Rich was also instrumental in bringing ULI Chicago's UrbanPlan program to DePaul.

Rich is also deeply involved in supporting the Lawson YMCA, the largest single-room occupancy complex in the state of Illinois.  Lawson provides housing as well as supportive services for people in need including access to jobs, transportation, comprehensive medical services, case management, and food and clothing assistance. As a member of the Metropolitan YMCA board, Rich recognizes the vital importance of this housing resource for its residents.

Rich has been a ULI Chicago Executive Committee Member for many years and has assisted with UrbanPlan, Programming, and has been a speaker for ULI Chicago's Young Leader Program.  ULI's mission is to provide leadership in the responsible use of land and in creating and sustaining thriving communities worldwide. Rich and ULI Chicago see The Preservation Compact as a unique opportunity for the membership to pursue this mission at the local level.  “I believe that those involved in the Preservation Compact are the exact group of people to undertake the leadership role in preservation in Cook County.  If we can bring all of our skills and expertise to bear on this issue, we can solve this problem.  This one's easy,” concludes Rich.

For information on ways you can get involved with The Preservation Compact, contact Judy Levey, Preservation Compact Coordinator, 773-549-2655 or judy.levey@uli.org.