Steve Graham

Biography: Steve Graham Vice President of Destination Development RED Development Kansas City, MO In addition to developing lifestyle, power and hybrid shopping centers, RED Development, LLC, is actively pursuing destination development opportunities across the country. Destination developments combine retail, one-of-a-kind entertainment and attractions, interactive activities, learning opportunities and a number of exciting dining options that target visitors from a wide geography. In many cases, destination developments rely on government-backed financing (i.e. STAR Bonds or TIFs) to create a special district designed to attract tourists to an area that is currently underserved. The Legends at Village West, RED Development's first destination development project, is part of the 400-acre Village West Tourism District in Kansas City, Kan. The Legends shopping center joins the Kansas Speedway, Cabela's, Nebraska Furniture Mart and The Great Wolf Lodge. This 800,000-squarefoot shopping center features unique retail, entertainment and dining venues, and opens in fall 2005. Future projects include The Legends at Sparks Marina (Sparks, Nev.). The Destination Development team at RED Development continues to explore additional opportunities including sports venues, branded experiential retail concepts, themed attractions, entertainment districts, theme parks and largescale retail and resort destinations. RED Development's Destination Development team is led by Steve Graham, Vice President of Destination Development. In addition to his destination development experience, Graham has an extensive background in the use of STAR Bond and TIF financing. STAR Bonds, short for Sales Tax Revenue Bonds, are a public financing tool, similar to tax increment financing bonds (TIF bonds). The major difference is that STAR Bonds also have access to an additional source of revenue - state sales tax revenues. Other states across the country are currently passing legislation to create STAR Bonds to help attract destination developments. With this combined experience, Graham brings a thorough understanding of all of the elements involved in bringing destination developments from concept to reality. Graham received a civil engineering degree and master's in business administration from the University of Wisconsin - Madison. He also earned a master's degree in architecture from the University of Kansas. May 2008