When's the last time a ping pong game determined whether you could close a $350,000 loan? For Jonathan Dodson, it happened during his first major development project after walking away from a banking career. His moral stand against workplace harassment led him to launch Pivot Project, an Oklahoma City-based development firm specializing in historic preservation and community revitalization.
In this episode, we talk through Medley Market, which exemplifies Jonathan's approach to adaptive reuse projects. The 24-unit mixed-use development with a market hall and rooftop pickleball courts required navigating investor fraud, underground drug operations, and a five-part capital stack including historic tax credits and C-PACE financing. Instead of walking away from the chaos, Jonathan saw a unique opportunity.
The conversation reveals Jonathan's philosophy of transparent compensation and community relationships. He shows team members exactly how their contributions translate to development fees, pays consultants what they're actually worth, and gets the greenlight from neighborhood decision-makers before starting projects. This approach treats development as relationship-building rather than financial engineering, creating lasting value for both investors and the communities Pivot Project serves.
Episode Outline
(03:56) The workplace harassment incident that led to an entrepreneurial pivot
(13:07) The legendary ping pong game that secured crucial construction financing
(20:15) Acquiring Medley Market: uncovering investor fraud and recapping the deal
(32:51) Managing construction costs and tariff impacts in today's development market
(38:26) How to turn valued consultants into true partners
(45:30) Upcoming hotel project fundraising and Medley Market expansion
Additional Resources
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Learn more about Small Scale Developers Forum
Vogue: Eating Your Way Through America’s Best Food Halls
Connect with Jonathan
Connect on LinkedIn
Email: jonathan@pivotproject.com
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