Q&A with Michael J. Donovan, III

A World Traveler in the Service of Others

Urban Landscape, January 2010
Interviewer: Dennis Kaiser

Michael J. Donovan, III, principal of MD3 Consultant Group, might be best described as a renaissance real estate leader. While that is a common term associated with numerous artists and scholars from the European Renaissance who excelled in multiple fields, it is an apt depiction of Michael who has mastered the art and science of architecture, urban planning, real estate development, contracting, project management and community building – while still finding time to volunteer thousands of hours to various non-profit organizations. Michael is currently serving as the 2010 UrbanPlan Co-chairman and continues to facilitate a vast number of partner and resource connections for projects ranging from international theme parks and resorts to historical renovations of urban mixed-use properties. By Michael’s calculation he’s traveled 17 percent of the world for business, pleasure and education – between trips he found time to sit down with Urban LAndscapes to share more about his career and experiences in the real estate industry.

Can you tell us about your background and how you got into real estate?
I spent the first decade of my career involved in the design and construction of theme parks, hotels, resorts and casinos for a wide array of the most well-known entertainment and hospitality entities. After the events of 9/11, these two industries went dormant and I decided to get my Masters of Real Estate Development (MRED) at USC. This decision proved advantageous because as the economy recovered it led to new and interesting projects. Since 2002, I have worked on the project management side of numerous development projects, including spending the last four years as Vice President of Development at RTI Properties, a full-service real estate company with properties, projects and investments in 12 states.

What are MD3 Consultant Group’s areas of expertise?
MD3 Consultant Group is a culmination of 21-plus years of professional experience where I gained an intimate working knowledge of how the real estate sector functions both domestically and internationally. That deep understanding is backed by the added strength and depth of more than 1,600 active and qualified industry contacts. MD3 CG facilitates connections that may not have happened and helps to create Win-Win situations. We understand that the value of a professional network is in bringing the right resources and partners to each project. Referrals have become a core element of any project today. My goal is to be the “Very First Phone Call” from those within my sphere of influence in order to accomplish what is needed within the design, build or real estate areas.

What kinds of projects are you known for doing?
During my first career in theme park and hotel design I was able to work on projects all over the world for well-recognized entertainment companies such as Walt Disney Imagineering, Universal Studios, Warner Bros. Studios, Landmark Entertainment Group, to name a few. I have worked on more than a dozen theme park projects and have had the opportunity to travel overseas to Asia for example, which I truly enjoyed. That exposure to many cities and countries allowed me to see how others have solved urban planning challenges over centuries. And it has led to an even greater appreciation of how as both an architect and developer, I can focus attention on urban in-fill and re-adaptive use projects that make communities better.

For example, I am a big proponent of the major transformation of Downtown Los Angeles and thus have spent a considerable amount of time focusing on that district. I saw that growth and revitalization coming 18 years ago when I designed my own version of “LA Live” as my Architectural Thesis project back in 1991, before Staples Center was even on the map.

When did you know that Architecture was the career for you?
I can easily trace back my interest in to-scale drawing to elementary school when, without any parental involvement, I would use very primitive measuring tools and go around and measure and then draw my family home including all furniture to perfect scale. Later, I was fortunate enough to attend a junior high school that had a wonderful but very demanding and challenging drafting teacher, and I took all of his classes. He encouraged me to submit my drawing packages and type-V wood models to the California State Fair in Sacramento where I won Gold Ribbons. From those early beginnings, my career track solidified when I was accepted into USC’s School of Architecture and I also got the opportunity to spend a semester studying in Italy and traveling all over Europe. After graduation, my first big break came when I landed an architecture position at Walt Disney Imagineering designing parts of the Euro-Disneyland project in Paris.

As this year’s co-chair, can you describe ULI LA’s UrbanPlan?
UrbanPlan is a high school simulation competition where groups of five to seven Los Angeles area student teams work together to propose their “Ideal Community” for a given site. This year’s program will focus on a 52-acre project site known as Marlton Square in South Los Angeles. The teams are given a detailed Request For Proposal (RFP) to respond to with various deliverables such as a fully colored site plan, scaled massing model, team oral presentation and a lengthy write-up to the RFP. This program will be conducted during the Spring Semester and we are currently seeking new volunteers from the Los Angeles real estate industry who are interested in making a difference in a teenagers life.

Why did you get involved with UrbanPlan?
I am very firm believer in giving back of one’s personal time, talents and treasure. When I joined ULI while in graduate school I immediately became interested in this program because of its mission to benefit students and introduce them to community development. Prior to this, I had a long track record as a volunteer leader in organizations like the LA Watts Summer Games where I volunteered over a decade and led that group as Chairman for three years. UrbanPlan is an opportunity for me to share my passion for design and development of unique spaces with high school students in their classroom.

How does UrbanPlan fit into ULI Los Angeles’ goals and objectives?
The goals of UrbanPlan are completely in line with ULI as we strive to educate our communities about what it is that architects, planners and developers seek to accomplish as professionals, and to highlight the many benefits that well thought out, high-quality design and development can add to our existing communities. Often times, developers don't get credit for making a community better, but most everyone benefits from having a great project that truly meets the needs of the communities all around us. By reaching out to high school students and introducing them to urban planning, we are creating much more informed future citizens and leaders who suddenly realize that they have the power and potential to make their world a better place. UrbanPlan teaches these valuable lessons as well as how to work as team, develop verbal presentation skills and it instills a strong feeling of accomplishment and school pride when they reach the finals.

What benefits or results have been realized through UrbanPlan?
UrbanPlan truly connects professionals as ULI Members to a grassroots program where they go into classrooms and teach the basic principles of urban planning, design, finance, marketing and community relations in an effort to advance student projects. This UrbanPlan volunteer commitment can be as little as one visit or several times a month over the course of the semester. Last year we had our largest program ever when I was the volunteer coordinator and chief recruiter of 76 ULI LA Members that served as volunteer guest speakers and mentors for 42 high school teams consisting of 225 students at 12 different high schools. I was able to visit each high school during the course of the semester and saw first-hand the effort and passion that these students put into their projects.

Where does your passion for volunteerism come from?
Beyond my family, friends and career, it is truly where I enjoy spending my time. I am a big believer in karma and helping other people. Like planting karma seeds in the ground and nurturing them, I believe that I will someday reap the rewards. One of my proudest moments was becoming the 78th President of the Los Angeles Junior Chamber of Commerce (LAJCC) as its first write-in candidate. The LAJCC created and manages the Los Angeles Open Golf Tournament and as LAJCC President I was given the honor of presenting the winning check of $813,000 in 2003 to golfer Mike Weir at the 18th hole of the Riviera Country Club. I also met my wife on a football field in Watts as part of volunteering at the LA Watts Summer Games. I have volunteered countless hours and miles every year but I can honestly say that I have always been the true beneficiary.

Michael Donovan has drafted a book about his experiences and expertise entitled “In the Serve of Others: The Art of Volunteer Leadership that can be obtained by contacting him via email at MD3arch@Alumni.USC.edu.

Dennis Kaiser is senior communications manager for public relations at ValleyCrest Landscape Companies, the nation’s largest integrated landscape services company. The Calabasas, Calif.-based firm is commissioned by architects, developers, commercial real estate owners, public agencies, property managers and luxury home builders to help create, build or maintain some of the world’s extraordinary natural environments. For more information about ValleyCrest Landscape Companies, please visit www.valleycrest.com.