Public Sector “White Knight” – City Set to Announce “Development Coordinator” Position
Recognizing that multiple projects are stalled and that building code and zoning issues often cause delays, the City is poised to announce the creation of a City-wide position to work with developers, lenders and private sector ”white knights” to navigate the bureaucracy.
A pilot Development Coordinator program has recently been launched in Brooklyn and Queens. The City has already created several programs aimed at dealing with the many stalled construction sites around the five boroughs - we have previously reviewed the new “Stalled Projects Program” and the new DOB Appeals Process. The new Coordinator Position, which will be City-wide and located in the Mayor’s Office of Operations, will be a key contact with regard to these programs and other development-related issues.
We will be watching the appointment closely – we understand that those under consideration are experienced players with close ties to DOB and the real estate legal community. Stay tuned for an announcement of the Mayor’s pick.
Interesting development! I’m looking forward to seeing who they pick..
Mitch,
In normal times, I would credit this new position as a proper way to speed the approvals process. But with $12 billion in real estate at risk of defaulting in Manhattan alone, our current problems are not DOB or DCP clogging the system. The Mayor bet on the real estate market to advance the city and, unfortunately, that bet will simply not pay off in the next year, or more. So this development coordinator position is a drop in the bucket on a bet that in the near term has already gone bust.
http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20091214/FREE/912149991
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=102520626049988660817.00046e3703b8126b12edb&ie=UTF8&ll=40.700422,-73.970947&spn=0.057262,0.077248&z=13&source=embed
I think the person who will be assigned to this position needs a deep understanding of the defference between public interest and private interest.