Gaughan VP Panelist for 2018 East Metro Development Summit

On Friday, July 27, 2018, John Chirhart, Gaughan VP of Sales and Leasing, participated as a panelist at the 2018 Minnesota Real Estate Journal’s East Metro Development Summit, hosted at the University of St. Thomas. He was part of a panel that was comprised of experienced commercial real estate professionals.

The panel discussed current market-specific real estate metrics, new projects and trends, as well as opportunities for the future.

The MNREJ hosts educational and informative events throughout the year in order to provide local professionals with valuable information to better serve their clients or to assist in the quality of their business decisions.

John Chirhart has been involved in commercial real estate and development for 18 years—the past 9 years with Gaughan.

Gaughan is a full-service commercial construction, development, and real estate brokerage firm. Established in 1969, the company has now grown to over 150 employees. If our team can assist with your real estate needs, please contact us at (651) 464-5700 or info@gaughancompanies.com.

Gaughan Prepares for Multi-Family Development Project in Shakopee

The Shakopee City Council approved the 126-unit multi-family development for downtown Shakopee, proposed by Gaughan, at their July 3 meeting. Minnesota-based commercial real estate developer, Gaughan has an affinity for sites with the potential of the Shakopee project. Senior VP of Commercial Accounts Dan Hebert says, “[Gaughan’s] primary focus is redeveloping sites and revitalization of downtown markets.”

This piece of land on the north end of downtown faces the Minnesota River. The team at Gaughan has planned for an apartment community with five stories, underground parking, and a restaurant on the first floor.

Gaughan’s most recent multi-family development, Lighthouse Lofts Luxury Apartments located in the downtown community overlooking the lake, will open next month in Forest Lake, Minn.

Read the entire article from Finance & Commerce here.

Gaughan Association Management Accepts AAMC Award at National Conference

Earlier this month, Gaughan Association Management was able to attend a great educational conference hosted by Community Associations Institute (CAI). This national conference provided key educational sessions that delivered information to allow our team to continue to improve and grow.

Our team was also recognized for receiving AAMC accreditation. We are thankful to participate with an organization that continues to strive to educate managers and leadership throughout our industry.

Thank you to CAI for a great conference, and we look forward to another educational year with our local chapter, CAI-MN, as well!

Gaughan Senior Associate Speaks at Land Development Conference

On Friday, May 4, 2018, Gaughan Brokerage Senior Associate, Tom Opsahl, participated on a panel for the 14th annual Land Development Conference. This conference is hosted yearly by the Minnesota Real Estate Journal at the Golden Valley Country Club.

The topic of Opsahl’s panel was “Commercial Land Development Forecast for 2018 and Beyond.” The panelists discussed the current market conditions, development project updates for 2018, challenges with land development, financing for development projects, and the future of development.

The other four sessions at this year’s conference were “Municipalities: Your Partner for Land Development and What You Need to Know,” “Key Issues to Consider When Structuring Real Estate Joint Ventures,” “Frontiers: Lessons in Greenfield Development,” and “Residential Land Update and Opportunities.” We look forward to next year’s conference and the updates that we will be hearing based on the sessions this year!

Tom Opsahl joined Gaughan Companies in November of 2016 as a Sales & Leasing Associate. Earning his real estate license in 2002, he brings a wealth of commercial real estate knowledge and experience to our team. Opsahl is currently working with a local family in Prior Lake to sell their 495-acre historic property, as well as another 500-plus acre contiguous property in the Lino Lakes-Blaine area.

If our team can assist you with your Commercial Real Estate needs, please contact us at 651-464-5700 or info@gaughancompanies.com.

Gaughan Represents at Chamber Golf Tournament

We were honored to be a sponsor at the 30th annual MetroNorth Chamber Golf Tournament to help raise money for their mission of strengthening business in the community.

Our team had a blast staffing a hole and playing a round of golf with other chamber members and guests at Majestic Oaks Golf Club! We always enjoy events held by the MetroNorth Chamber of Commerce and are pleased to be a member. We are excited about the growth in our communities and the active role that the MetroNorth Chamber plays in the community.

Gaughan Celebrates with Toppers Pizza Grand Opening

Toppers Pizza, one of our new Tenants at Club West Plaza in Blaine, MN, is celebrating their grand opening on Saturday, May 5, 2018. They are known for their fresh dough, delicious toppings, and real Wisconsin cheese! The first Toppers Pizza opened in Whitewater, WI, in 1993, and since then, they have expanded to over 75 franchised locations throughout the Midwest. While they primarily offer delivery services, they also have an open, show-kitchen design where customers can stop in and watch the creation of their pizzas.

Congratulations, Toppers Pizza! We are proud to highlight this business and welcome them to the area. For more information or to order your next meal, visit www.toppers.com!

Continuing Education Benefits Employees and Clients

Over this past week, one of our Junior Project Managers attended the second half of the 2018 Project Management Institute at Purdue University, hosted by Associated Builders & Contractors. Gaughan has been a member of ABC for many years, and we continue to send our employees to this bi-annual program for continuing education in order to improve our knowledge and service to clients.

This course is made up of two 40-hour weeks where attendees learn how to utilize and develop tools that will improve profitability and productivity, as well as increase customer satisfaction. Our Junior Project Manager successfully completed all 80 hours of this training and received his gold hardhat and certificate of completion. Congratulations, Joe!

5 Tips for a Greener Construction Site

Happy Earth Day! We do our best to be mindful stewards of our materials and resources. Here are some tips to a greener construction site.

  1. Sort recyclable and non-recyclable used materials. Then, dispose and recycle these materials properly.
  2. Take good care and manage the use of your equipment. In order to save energy, don’t leave it running if it isn’t being used.
  3. Encourage accountability among a construction crew. During our weekly construction team meetings, our Superintendent will ask for each Foreman to have their crews clean up after themselves.
  4. Take initiative to complete environmentally conscious certifications. These certifications ensure that your business is educated in best practices for environmental safety, etc.
  5. At Gaughan, we make every effort to remove and dewater our construction sites effectively and responsibly, using the best methods while keeping the environment in mind.

Gaughan Association Management Awarded the Accredited Association Management Company Designation

Gaughan Association Management recently joined an elite group of community association management companies that have earned the Accredited Association Management Company (AAMC®) credential from Community Associations Institute (CAI). To earn the AAMC credential, a management company must have three years of experience in community association management and at least 50 percent of its managers must have earned professional designations.

Gaughan is one of six association management companies in Minnesota to receive the AAMC designation. Fewer than 250 management companies worldwide have earned the highest level of professional recognition in the community association management field.

Gaughan Association Management will be inducted during the Opening General Session of the upcoming CAI Annual Conference and Exposition in Washington, DC on May 9-12, 2018.