Herbert Miller – Activist and Real Estate Developer

Our Town with host Andy Ockershausen - Homegrown History

Herbert Miller on building opportunity for people in Our Town ~ "This is a remarkable city, but it only works if we all work together. The racial divide, which Marion chopped at needs to be chopped more, and the economic divide, which is, I think, a bigger issue is something DC should, is, will represent as the proper way to deal with housing, to deal with jobs, to deal with opportunity. DC needs to be the land of opportunity. . . You've got to look at the synergy of not real estate as a place to live, or a place to work, or a place to shop, but a place where you build opportunity for people." Herbert Miller, Activist and Real Estate Developer and Andy Ockershausen in studio interview Andy Ockershausen: And this man made Washington DC what it is. Our special guest on Our Town, a very dear friend, Herbert Miller. This man made our Washington what it is, one of the great cities of the world. He is the person behind major developments, like Georgetown Park, Washington Harbour, Market Square, Gallery Place. Nobody has changed Washington as much in the last 50 years as Herb Miller, and he knows development, and he knows business, and he's made Our Town so great. Herby, welcome to Our Town, and WMAL. Herbert Miller:Thank you, Andy, just to be with you on my favorite radio station I grew up with. Andy Ockershausen: Now, it makes me feel so good to hear you say that, and I know you love that theme, and every time we meet, you sell me that theme again. That never happens. And you're a fan. Herbert Miller:Well, when you grow up with something like I did with WMAL, it's sort of in your soul. A Chance Meet Up in Italy Andy Ockershausen: And it stayed with you for ... One of the things that'll never, never change in my life as knowing you, is standing in a hotel room, in a place that I never thought I'd ever see in Italy, or to go to Italy, but I was there on my honeymoon with my wife, Janice, who is here today. This man is checking in and talking to the desk, and he sings the WMAL theme. I couldn't believe it. I said, "Herbert, what are you doing in Italy? What is going on?" You were on a boat. You were anchored somewhere off the shore. Herbert Miller:Right, and I came in and I ran into you and Sonny. It was your wedding. Andy Ockershausen: It was our wedding and my honeymoon. You were singing the anthem, but you do it- Herbert Miller:Well I saw you and immediately responded, you know? Andy Ockershausen: Well, see it sets a part of your life and my life, but you made Our Town, and I say Our Town as everything you've done everywhere has made Our Town greater, and it shows. There are monuments, you know that don't you? Potomac Mills, Sawgrass Mills, the Mills Company and Simon Herbert Miller:Well, the people buried under monuments remember that. I also built Potomac Mills and about 10 power centers, strip centers. Built the first power center ever in the United States at Greenway Center. Andy Ockershausen: Did you do Anne Arundel Mills, no that wasn't you. Herbert Miller:No, that was after I left. Andy Ockershausen: But you had the Mills Company was your- Herbert Miller:Right, I took it public. Andy Ockershausen: But that was bigger than Our Town, that was our country. Herbert Miller:Yeah, but number one, it's very interesting that Simon now has Mills, and they're a terrific organization. The number one mall in America is Sawgrass Mills, that I developed. Andy Ockershausen: It still is? Herbert Miller:The number two mall in America is Potomac Mills. Andy Ockershausen: This is not the Simon that built Reston? Herbert Miller:No, that's Robert E Simon, this is a Simon from Indianapolis that owns the shopping center developers. The senior Simon owns the basketball team, Herby. Andy Ockershausen: Where is the team? Herbert Miller:Indianapolis. Andy Ockershausen: Wow, they're doing well too. They do great at the gate anyway. It's the only thing in Indianapolis you can do in the wintertime.