Associate Director of PICCED, a university-based advocacy architecture and planning center. (See: www.picced.org)
Thirty-years of service to community-based organizations in economically distressed areas throughout New York City.
Research program developer, manager and community planner.
Sensitivity to communities of need, interest and concern – residents, businesses, and institutions, neighborhood-based civic organizations and community development corporations.
Broad knowledge of government policy and federal, state and municipal programs serving community economic development goals. Extensive experience:
- Supervision of research, planning and architectural staff. Extensive team and organizational development experience.
- Direction and development of community-planning studies and research reports leading to housing production, community facility development, and commercial retail market investment with ongoing analysis and monitoring services.
- Development and design of Geographic Information System (GIS) program at PICCED for comprehensive community development analysis.
- Design and management of professional education and training programs, including instruction in comprehensive urban planning, neighborhood analysis studios, historic preservation and self-directed social action courses.
- Planned and developed a national network serving community research, urban planning and architectural professionals dedicated to serving the needs of socially and economically distressed communities.
- Recently completed design and implementation of a database-backed website: www.communitydesign.org
Major Programs & Projects
Current & Selected:
Pratt Area Community Council ©(2004) Strategic planning research in partnership with Butler + Associates. The project focused on a comprehensive examination of Fort Greene/Clinton Hill (CD2) and Bedford-Stuyvesant (CD3). Analysis was drawn from the U.S. Census 1960 to 2000 and from the Housing Vacancy Survey. Research and analysis contributed to recommendations identifying new housing and community-development opportunities for the PACC Board of Directors and staff. (Curry Consulting, Inc.)
Transportation Job Access Study© (2003) Examination of barriers to transportation experienced by low-income workers and welfare recipients. The work builds on the Job Access Reverse Commute plan prepared by the Regional Planning Association. A three-volume report for the New York Metropolitan Transportation Council was produced recommending a combination of incremental and systemic changes in the provision of public transportation services in low-income communities.
Chinatown Working Papers Project© (2001) Study was completed just before the WTC tragedy on September 11, 2001 for the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association (CCBA). The project provided a comprehensive community analysis of housing, employment and investment. I also implemented a public opinion survey and produced a series of research “working papers” to define community development issues.
Society for the Preservation of Weeksville and Bedford-Stuyvesant History (2003) Long term relationship began with my preparation and filing of the first historic structures report for the NYS Historic Preservation Office and the procurement of Community Development Block Grant Funds to restore and occupy a building on the site. I recruited and supervised the restoration architect’s implementation of the first major restoration of the Houses on Hunterfly Road Historic District. Currently, I serve as a member of the Board of Trustees, supporting the design of a fully funded $10 million education building. I am also a recipient of the Society’s Community Service Award.
The Two Coves Plan© (1994 and 2002) Commissioned by Goodwill Industries of Greater New York, Inc., with support of the Surdna Foundation to develop a coordinated social service and civic organization partnership. Contracted in October 2001 to renew the community planning process and research services.
A Competitive Gowanus Canal© (2001) A strategic planning update of my 1987 analysis, The Gowanus Canal Development Study. Both examined land uses and development opportunities for the Gowanus Canal Development Corporation. This work defined public and private investment choices and program policies following a long awaited reactivation of a failed flushing tunnel in 1968. This work is representative of an extensive field survey, land use analysis process I developed for PICCED.
Fort Greene Strategic Plan © (2000) Conducted in partnership with the Erankrantz Group, this plan defined all development activity in a 90-block area, coupled with a comprehensive demographic and field study analysis. The Fannie Mae Foundation selected this work for a detailed case study.
Brooklyn Empowerment Zone (HUD) (1998-1999). The first major use my GIS program came at the request of the Brooklyn Borough President. I conducted strategic planning and research leading to a zone designation and the final application. The project required extensive innovations in the application of GIS resources. While a zone was not designated, a $3 million HUD grant was awarded to Brooklyn as a Strategic Planning Community.
A Plan for a Competitive Myrtle Avenue© (1996) Pratt Area Community Development Corporation and the Neighborhood Based Alliance of Fort Greene An assessment of physical conditions and comprehensive market analysis. The market analysis led to the formation of the Myrtle Avenue Revitalization Program and the subsequent development of a strategic plan.
Recent Articles/Publications/Book Reviews:
Good Deeds, Good Design: Community Service Through Architecture, Bryan Bell (Editor), (2004). Princeton Architectural Press. Article “Community Design Centers’
Community Design Centers: An Alternative Practice, (2003) In Time-Saver Standards for Urban Design, Donald Watson, editor, McGraw-Hill, major contributor to article by Blake, Sheri, 2003.
History of Community Design (2001) In the ACSA Sourcebook of Community Design programs at Schools of Architecture in North America (ed) Cary, J. M. Jr., 38-43
Urban Studies (1993) - Journal for Research in Urban and Regional Studies, Glasgow, U.K. Book Reviews: (1) Mayor's and Money: Fiscal Policy in New York and Chicago, Fuchs; 1992 University of Chicago Press, and (2) Divided Cities - New York & London in the Contemporary World, Fanstein; 1992, Gordon & Harloe; Blackwell, Oxford.
1988 - 1999 Selected Projects
Assistant Professor, (1988 - Current). I joined the School of Architecture's City and Regional Planning faculty, and teach neighborhood planning, and land use studios, historic preservation, and social action courses. Most recent course taught was with Gene Norman, the first Commissioner of NYC’s Landmarks Preservation Commission. I have extensive teaching experience. I developed and designed several service-learning courses to bring additional resources to community clients throughout the late 1980s and 1990s.
President of the National Association for Community Design, Inc. (1989-1991, 1994-1996) Liaison Member of the Regional and Urban Design Committee of the American Institute of Architects, I developed and currently manage ACD’s website and served as ACD Treasurer (2003-2004). See: www.communitydesign.org
East New York: Housing & Community Development Workbook and Urban Strategies: Housing & Community Development Workbook (1990 and 1991) Two comprehensive studies for Local Initiative Support Corporation (LISC), leading to selection of sites for 150 rehabilitated housing units in distressed publicly-owned property.
Community Assessment Program (1996) Analysis of Brooklyn’s Church Avenue I detailed economic conditions in relation to Neighborhood Housing Services (NHS) local investment strategies. Church Avenue was selected to define market area impacts of housing programs and to identify potential sites for mixed-use development. Report strengthened the position of the Church Avenue business association (CAMBA).
Roosevelt Neighborhood Based Alliance (1997). A comprehensive examination of housing and business land uses in Roosevelt, NY. A hamlet of Homestead Township in Nassau County I provided a provided a comprehensive geographic information map series. Research and presentation work introduced several opportunities for targeting housing preservation assistance to low- and moderate-income households and outlined plans and data for the delivery of business retention services.
1976 –1988 Selected Projects
Board Training Manual (1988) Drafted training workbook for nonprofit community development corporations for the NYS - Department of Education.
Pratt Community Economic Development Internship Program (PCEDI- 1986) Developed and directed specialized program for Executive Directors and Project Managers of community-based development corporation. Reveson Foundation and Ford Foundation provided program funding.
Housing Resources Manual, Annual publication of PICCED (1985) Review and description of housing programs administered at the city, state, and federal level. Conducted research, preliminary drafts, and interviews for annual publication.
Brower Park Scope of Work (1984) I conducted survey and analysis report for Department of Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs and received Award for Service to the Community New York City Parks Council for service to the Brower Park and Brooklyn Children’s Museum scope of work. I implemented extensive public participation leading to high-grade rehabilitation of the park.
Certificate of National Merit (1982) from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), National Recognition Program for Community Development Partnerships - Harding Park Project. An analysis of land use and ownership needed to preserve a Bronx bungalow community.
Brooklyn Sports Study - A Location and Market Analysis (1986) followed by Market Analysis (Volume 1), Site Selection Final Report (Volume 2) and Development Concept, Feasibility and Economic Impact (Volume 3), 1986 for NYS Urban Development Corporation. The study confirmed and promoted the location of a stadium and arena in Coney Island. The location is now a very successful minor league franchise, the Cyclones.
Canarsie (1978) Special report funded by the National Endowment for the Arts, for community-based theater in the Gateway National Recreation Area
Jack Newfield's Honor Roll, Village Voice 1978. Annual “appreciation of citizens who perform in the public interest." Awarded for services to the community as a student.
