Recognizing the extent to which overlay rapid decentralization of American cities was coming to affect real estate values, Edgar L. Ostendorf*, MAI, as president of the National Association of Real Estate Boards, appointed a special committee to study the problems of the central business districts and propose remedies. He broadened the Association's standing committee on housing, making it a committee on housing and blighted areas directed to seek ways in which the problem of city rebuilding might be accomplished so far as possible through private initiative. To uncover the facts essential for sound urban real estate development and redevelopment, he gave much effort to bringing into active existence the Urban Land Institute. He later served as chairman of its membership committee.
Mr. Ostendorf headed the Ostendorf-Morris Company, which conducted general brokerage, appraisal, and property management, and which had a mortgage-loan department. He was also president and treasurer of the S. H. Kleinman Realty Company, one of the largest neighborhood development and home building organizations in Ohio.
One of the organizers of the American Institute of Real Estate Appraisers, he was its 1937 president and was active in committee work of the Cleveland Real Estate Board.
Edgar Ostendorf was born to real estate. His grandfather, Henry Beckman, a leader in real estate development in Cleveland in the post Civil War period, built the city's first building to be served by elevators.
Mr. Ostendorf was a major during World War I. He helped to establish Camp Sherman, Ohio, where he served as camp adjutant.
Source: Presidents of the National Association of REALTORS®, (Chicago: NAR, 1980).
*Deceased