W. Thomas Lavash An urban real estate and land use consultant for 20 years. He joined ERA's Washington, D.C. office in 1994, and focuses his work in two of ERA's core practice areas: urban real estate and economic development planning. He directs engagements dealing with all property sectors, with an emphasis on mixed-use, downtown and waterfront, and commercial district redevelopment, and repositioning strategies for underperforming commercial assets. He is active in the Urban Land Institute's District Council in Washington, D.C., and has served on multiple ULI advisory services panels across the United States.
Best Practice presentation talking point Given the challenges of the real estate market in Philadelphia, what public and private development models can we look at to help us imagine how to develop the Central Delaware? What role might public investment play in stimulating private development? How can the development world take a leadership role in advocating for a quality public realm? Please discuss types of public investment and the private investment they stimulate, such as enhancing transportation infrastructure, streetscape design, public parks and other qualities of the public realm. Also, what are the steps in the Planning Process to begin such partnerships?
