Real Estate
City of Dallas honors Urban Land Bank contributors
By Juliette Coulter, The Coulter Group
Feb 9, 2009

Dallas, Texas, January 9, 2008 – On December 3, the Dallas City Council recognized The Real Estate Council for its critical contributions to the Dallas Urban Land Bank, a program that turns abandoned sites into affordable housing and rebuilds distressed neighborhoods.  City Councilmember Steve Salazar, Council District 6 representative, presented three proclamations to Linebarger, Goggan, Blair and Sampson LLP, Republic Title Company of Texas and The Real Estate Council. 

As a result of the pro bono services provided by these firms, additional services provided by 50 attorneys/TREC members representing 11 law firms, and title services provided by Stewart Title Company, nearly 1,400 properties have been submitted for foreclosure, 820 lawsuits have been filed, 279 properties have been purchased by the Land Bank, 51 properties have been sold to developers with 114 pending sales and 25 affordable homes have been constructed and sold to families.

Michelle Corson, TREC president, said, “TREC’s members have given generously to the Dallas Urban Land Bank because they want to strengthen the city for all of its citizens.  We appreciate the City of Dallas’ recognition of everyone’s efforts.”

Lorri Henson and Charles Kramer accepted on behalf of Republic Title Company; Demetris Sampson and Robert Jemerson accepted on behalf of Linebarger, Goggan, Blair and Sampson; Chip Cavanaugh and Bill Kramer accepted on behalf of The Real Estate Council, the eleven TREC law firms and Stewart Title.

Brittney Rogers, Republic Title Company; Hon. Steve Salazar, Councilmember, City of Dallas; Chip Cavanaugh, Munsch Hardt Kopf & Harr; Lorri Henson (holding proclamation), Republic Title Company; Charles Kramer, Republic Title & Land Bank board of directors representing The Real Estate Council; Bill Kramer, Republic Title and The Real Estate Council.

About TREC and TREC Foundation:
Founded in 1990, The Real Estate Council is comprised of 1,600 commercial real estate professionals representing more than 500 companies in the Dallas area and 10,000 employees. Through The Real Estate Council Foundation, grants and professional assistance are provided to local organizations focused on community revitalization and affordable housing. With a grant of $1.5 million, TREC is currently spearheading efforts to build a deck park over Woodall Rodgers Freeway. TREC Foundation has also been instrumental in creating the Urban Land Bank, providing $250,000 in funding and $6.3 million in pro bono legal and title services. Learn more about TREC and how to join at www.recouncil.com or by calling (214) 692.3600.