Inside R&E Podcast — Building a Better Development Environment in New York City

In this episode of Inside R&E, Daniel M. Bernstein, Member and Leader of R&E’s Tax Incentives & Affordable Housing Department, and Jamie A. Smarr, President and CEO of the Housing Partnership Development Corporation, join Dave Lorenzo, Founder of Exit Success Lab, for a conversation on how New York can create a more predictable, developer-friendly environment to accelerate housing production.

In this insightful conversation, Daniel, Jamie and Dave discuss the future of housing development in New York City and the obstacles that continue to slow the creation of much-needed housing. They examine how zoning restrictions, approval processes, regulatory requirements, and development costs affect the ability to bring new projects to market, and explore what changes could help encourage investment and increase housing production. The discussion also looks at opportunities for mixed-use development, public-private partnerships, and the creative use of land and other public assets to address the city’s housing needs. Drawing on their experience in both the public and private sectors, the speakers share practical perspectives on how New York can foster growth, improve predictability, and create the conditions necessary to support long-term housing development.

Daniel’s practice involves affordable housing and urban development issues in New York, obtaining property tax exemptions and abatements (485-x / ANNY for new development; 467-m / AHCC for commercial conversions; new and old 421-a including requests for extension of 421-a(16) Completion Date, ICAP/ICIP, 420-c, 420-a, J-51, Article XI, etc.), development rights bonuses and incentives / zoning requirements (Voluntary and Mandatory Inclusionary Housing, FRESH program, Zoning for Quality and Affordability) for New York City projects. Bernstein is experienced in the assessment and taxation of real property in New York, as well as acquisition, financing, leasing, Declarations of Condominium, and condominium offering plans. Bernstein also has extensive experience helping real estate developers obtain economic incentives for their residential, commercial, or mixed-use projects. Bernstein also performs diligence on such matters for lenders and purchasers of such NYC properties.

Jamie Smarr is responsible for all of the corporation’s day-to-day operations. A resident of Harlem for over 20 years, Mr. Smarr has helped create more than 2,500 units of affordable housing, 3,000 public school seats, and one million square feet of new residential, office and retail space throughout his career. Prior to the Housing Partnership, he led the NHP Foundation’s Affiliate Program and Acquisitions Program. He also served as Executive Director of the New York City Educational Construction Fund, and the Director of Tax and Zoning for the New York City Housing Preservation and Development.

For any questions related to this episode, contact Daniel M. Bernstein at [email protected] or (212) 551-1257. Jamie A. Smarr can be reached at [email protected].

Stream the full episode, now available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube.