Seward Redesign Inc

Commercial property operations and management for community valueredesign owns and manages a significant portfolio of real estate in our neighborhood, providing well-managed affordable commercial space and affordable housing. Redesign owns or co-owns 9 multi-tenant commercial properties in our service area, making up 178,394 square feet of affordable commercial space that we lease to businesses and nonprofits in our community at affordable rates. In addition, we own or co-own 6 residential buildings, making up over 900 units of affordable housing for members of our community.redesign leases and directly manages the commercial properties that it owns. Additionally, redesign provides property and asset management services for other properties to ensure long-term affordability and high-quality physical maintenance. These properties include seward towers east and west; and two residential townhouse properties that are partly- and wholly-owned by redesign respectively.

Business development and growthredesign serves more than 100 small and emerging businesses in our neighborhood each year through hands-on, tailored technical support. We work one-on-one with small businesses to provide hands-on needs assessments, resources (such as business plan writing, strategy development, marketing support, accounting, etc.), coaching, support with site search, leasing, purchasing negotiations, navigation through licensing and permitting processes, low-interest and profit-based financing, and more to accomplish their goals. In 2024, redesign visited 123 businesses and provided 936 hours of services to 56 small and emerging businesses. We supported 8 businesses with more than $17,000 in matching funds for improving the look of their storefronts, and launched a new series of small business support workshops based on community needs. Redesign's pool of lending capital enables us to support clients who often do not qualify for traditional loan products and frequently have limited options for accessing capital. Redesign manages multiple loan pools that make below-market loans to small businesses that create jobs within the community and promote the success of the commercial corridors. In 2024, redesign originated 4 loans totaling $125,000 from our pool of low-interest loan capital. Redesign also provides commercial brokerage services to local businesses to assist them in finding space to lease or properties to purchase in the community, including developing plans for the improvement of spaces and the financing for those improvements. In 2024, redesign supported 51 businesses in locating commercial space in our service area to house their business.

Community planning and infrastructure advocacyredesign engages existing residents, businesses and property owners in proactive planning for future land use and development and advocates on behalf of community-based development that serves the needs of everyone. Redesign also works with residents, businesses and local institutions to plan and advocate for infrastructure improvements, including enhancements for pedestrians and bicyclists in particular, as well as changes that will address climate change including increased use of solar energy. In 2024, redesign continued working on an innovative aquifer thermal energy storage system that will heat and cool area buildings using energy from the earth.