Members' 25-Year Reminiscences

Dennis R. Wall, AICP

Associate Broker
Coldwell Banker Success Southwest
Tucson, Arizona

As a planner for private individuals or corporations over my 30 years of practice, I think that one observation I might share is that the nature of representing large scale projects includes the fact that as one stands before the jurisdiction, one is usually without a single constituent. In many instances, the people who might resist the project eventually are residents of the project once approved. Therefore, they were constituents but did not know it, and argue against the project or, in fact, any change.

I find it gratifying to be questioned about long completed projects that had enormous opposition when conceived, but are now glorified as examples of the way it should be done in the future.

I have appreciated my association with the Planning Organization and the timely and relevant articles that are disseminated to the membership.

Biographical Information

Education
Bachelor of Architecture, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma
Master of Science, Urban Planning, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona

Work Experience
1972-1977 — Cella, Barr, Evans and Associates, Land Planner, Site Design and Entitlement Facilitator
Original rezoning of 3500 acre Continental Ranch and 7000 acre Rancho Vistoso

1977-1979 — Osborn, Peterson Walbert and Wall, Principal, Director of Planning
Various land planning efforts including the first cluster project in Pima County, Arizona

1979-1985 — Sears Financial Corporation, Partner, Land acquisition and development
Developed Cobblestone, a gated, high-end residential project, and rezoned and developed large scale multi-use commercial projects

1985-1990 — The Estes Company, Project manager
Managed the entitlement process, which included annexation for 6000 acre Traverse Ridge project in Salt Lake City, Utah. Nine owners and 19 jurisdictions were involved.

1990-1999 — OPW and Associates Inc., Director of Planning
Various land planning functions for private landowners

1999-2001 — The Athens Group, Project Director
Project Director for 50 acre resort site with $125 million hotel. Went through the entitlements and building design until September of 2001.

2001-Present — Coldwell Banker Success Southwest, Associate Broker
Land brokerage and consulting