The beginning of a successful career

(At request of family members, I jot down from time to time a recollection to be posted under Memoirs.)

by Robert Field

It was my second year in commercial real estate sales and my over analyzing investment opportunities were in the way of my making a living, unlike my ten year older and far more successful associate, Lee Maimon, who would offer anything to everyone.

Lee and I came across a property which we felt was a good prospect for apartment development and were able to obtain an option on it for virtually no cost.

My brother Martin was a successful apartment developer so I knew his architect and we were able to obtain plans on a contingency basis. (I marveled then and now how, at least at that time, successful persons in allied fields would offer a generous hand to would be newcomers.)

Although we thought the site was ideal for apartments, it required a ‘a special exception’ since its zoning category was ‘conditional’. In those days, planning boards tended to be receptive to such requests.

But when one evening we attended the meeting and made our formal presentation, we were aghast at the quick rejection of our proposal.

We retreated to a nearby diner to commiserate. I decided to call brother Martin to relate the bad news and, I guess, to cry on his shoulder. I asked him, what can we do?

Marty said go back to the meeting, wait until it is over, then walk up and walk up and ask the board members about what they found objectionable and what we needed to do to obtain approval.

We did, they told us, and rest, as they say, is history.