HR&A Advisors serves as the retained executive team for the Rowen Foundation, orchestrating the creation of a 2,000-acre innovation community in the Atlanta Metro Region that will connect research, education, and industry across agriculture, medicine, and environmental science. As the operational leadership for this transformative project, HR&A directs all aspects of development including real estate strategy, foundation operations, tenant attraction, board governance, and public-private partnerships spanning Georgia's higher education institutions and government entities.
HR&A advised the Bronx Chamber of Commerce to facilitate a collaborative economic development strategy among 15 major Bronx employers and institutions. Our work resulted in the Bronx Prosperity Plan — a comprehensive framework focused on talent development, strategic marketing, and targeted investments that established concrete pathways to enhance economic opportunity and prosperity across the borough.
HR&A guided the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) in developing and implementing a comprehensive innovation district strategy that bridges research capabilities with industry collaboration. We delivered a strategic roadmap with clear governance structures, partnership frameworks, and phased real estate development priorities that position MUSC to accelerate healthcare innovation while generating significant economic impact for the Charleston region.
HR&A worked with the City of Dallas to develop and implement a groundbreaking Economic Development Policy that prioritizes equitable investment in Southern Dallas and communities of color historically excluded from opportunity. Through comprehensive strategic support, our work is helping turn the City’s bold vision into measurable outcomes—restructuring incentives, aligning City departments, and building a foundation for inclusive, long-term economic growth.
The Knight Foundation engaged HR&A to evaluate their philanthropic investments in downtown revitalization across nine U.S. cities. Through comprehensive data collection and analysis, HR&A assessed the effectiveness of the Foundation’s priority grants, investigated the sustainability of supported organizations, and identified critical revitalization levers that could be applied to any city. This evaluation provided Knight Foundation with essential insights to guide future investment decisions and promote equitable economic development.
HR&A worked with Buffalo Bayou Partnership to develop a comprehensive investment framework and master plan for Buffalo Bayou East, a 260-acre waterfront transformation extending Houston's celebrated greenway network four miles east of Downtown. Our strategic planning work created the foundation for securing a historic $100 million catalyst gift from the Kinder Foundation, which will leverage an additional $210 million in public and philanthropic funding to support the first decade of development and operations.
HR&A worked with the University of Utah and Salt Lake City Redevelopment Authority to establish a strategic framework for jointly developing the Station Center site into a vibrant innovation district. Through comprehensive stakeholder engagement and programmatic analysis, HR&A identified optimal governance structures, land ownership strategies, and catalytic programming approaches that balanced community priorities with the university's research strengths, delivering actionable recommendations that are now guiding the site's Vision Plan.
HR&A developed a comprehensive strategy enabling Con Edison to significantly scale its energy efficiency investments in low- and moderate-income (LMI) multifamily housing across New York City and Westchester County. Our work delivered both immediate tactical tools to meet near-term targets and a 10-year strategic plan that positions Con Edison to achieve climate goals while directing benefits to underserved communities.
HR&A conducted comprehensive market feasibility and economic impact analyses for the Chicago Bears Football Club as they have sought to build a new stadium in Chicagoland, with a specific focus on building a mixed-use district anchored by a new stadium on a 326-acre site in Arlington Heights. Our assessment provided critical data that informed stakeholder outreach to local and State government officials, supporting the team's predevelopment planning and regulatory approval processes.
HR&A evaluated land value capture mechanisms for the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG), delivering a comprehensive implementation strategy and dynamic assessment tool to generate sustainable revenue for SANDAG's Regional Infrastructure Plan. Our work included financial modeling for two priority transit projects and produced an actionable roadmap that helps SANDAG and local partner agencies leverage value capture opportunities to fund critical infrastructure while supporting increased housing supply throughout the region.
HR&A created the business plan and implementation strategy for Konza Technology City (Konza Technopolis), a 5,000-acre innovation hub outside Nairobi that is transforming Kenya's technology sector. Working with the International Finance Corporation for the Government of Kenya, we established the Konza Technopolis Development Authority, structured the city's development framework, that continues provide real estate advisory services that are attracting investment to this catalyst for national growth.
HR&A led a multidisciplinary team to develop a comprehensive Master Plan for Seattle's iconic Pike Place Market, addressing financial sustainability, declining farmer presence, and shifting visitor demographics. Working with the Pike Place Market Preservation & Development Authority, we delivered a strategic roadmap to revitalize the Market by embracing Pacific Northwest "Food Life" and reconnecting with local audiences.
HR&A worked with the Los Angeles County Internal Services Department (ISD) across three transformative phases to tackle the digital divide affecting over 400,000 families without reliable home internet access. Through our strategic planning and competitive solicitation process, we helped the County secure $56 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding to launch the Community Broadband Networks program, culminating in a landmark public-private partnership with WeLink Communications announced in May 2024. This breakthrough will serve over 275,000 households with one of the nation's most competitive internet plans—500/500 Mbps service for just $25 per month for low-income families—while also catalyzing significant private investment in underserved communities across Los Angeles County.
HR&A has guided Vanderbilt University since 2023 in its efforts to catalyze Nashville's innovation economy. Through real estate strategy, market and feasibility analysis, developer partnership selection, and project management support, we are helping Vanderbilt to transform approximately 40 acres of underutilized campus land into a dynamic mixed-use neighborhood with cutting-edge spaces for innovation. In addition, we supported the creation of the Nashville Innovation Alliance to strengthen cross-sector partnerships, accelerate research commercialization, and grow talent pipelines to cement the region’s role as a national hub for innovation and entrepreneurship.
HR&A conducted a comprehensive industry and workforce analysis of the Nashville area for Vanderbilt University to inform investments in innovation initiatives across Nashville. Our data analysis identified high-potential growth sectors and existing regional assets in terms of their ability to generate innovation and provide high-paying jobs. This work informed physical planning efforts for the future Anchor Park Innovation District and Vanderbilt’s contributions to Nashville Innovation Alliance.
HR&A advised Vanderbilt University in developing a plan to transform 40 acres of underutilized campus land into an innovation district that will catalyze Nashville's innovation ecosystem and support research needs. We supported the university to develop a vision and land use program for a dynamic mixed-use neighborhood that strengthens both academic excellence and regional economic development. HR&A managed the master planning process and is currently supporting Vanderbilt in selection of a development partner to move the project towards implementation.
HR&A collaborated with 100 Resilient Cities and Houston's Chief Resilience Officer to develop the city's comprehensive Resilience Strategy, addressing critical challenges including stormwater management, urban heat mitigation, and equitable economic development. Working alongside the Water Institute of the Gulf, Asakura Robinson, the Kinder Institute for Urban Research, and the Rockefeller Foundation, we contributed to a strategy that earned the Gold Planning Achievement Award for Resilience from the Texas Chapter of the American Planning Association.
HR&A developed a strategic decision-making framework and innovation recommendations for Dallas College to guide use of their assets, including a new Downtown Education and Innovation Hub funded through a $1.1 billion bond measure. Our work positioned the College to strengthen its role in workforce development and economic mobility while establishing clear pathways for innovation programming and strategic asset deployment.
As a member of a multidisciplinary team led by Sasaki, HR&A developed a strategic business plan guiding the creation of Arboretum San Antonio, a new 200-acre immersive nature-based experience rooted in the city's Southside. Our market analysis, strategic planning, and revenue modeling helped ASA establish organizational direction and financial sustainability for this transformative cultural amenity and helped inform Sasaki’s Master Planning process and programmatic decisions.
HR&A led a multidisciplinary team to develop an updated strategic vision and implementation roadmap for the 300+ acre Panther Island project adjacent to Downtown Fort Worth. Working with a steering committee of public-sector and civic stakeholders, we delivered actionable recommendations that align flood control infrastructure with economic and real estate development opportunities, creating a framework for transformative public and private investment shaped by community ambitions.
HR&A managed the competitive solicitation process for Los Angeles County's $50 million Community Broadband Networks initiative, developing evaluation criteria and vendor requirements that resulted in a successful partnership providing affordable high-speed internet to over 300,000 households while ensuring quality service and community alignment.
HR&A collaborated with the Los Angeles County Internal Services Department to develop a comprehensive action plan for community wireless networks that would close the digital divide in underserved neighborhoods. Our strategic analysis of County-controlled properties and targeted site selection created a roadmap to deliver free, high-quality internet service to households in the most impacted communities across Los Angeles County.
HR&A developed and continues to advance a comprehensive Strategic Broadband Action Plan for Clark County, Nevada, home to 70 percent of the state's residents. Our multi-phase approach has helped the County secure over $11 million in federal funding, establish a Broadband Program Office, and position Clark County as a national leader in equitable broadband deployment and digital inclusion.
HR&A transformed digital access for over 400,000 Los Angeles County families by designing and implementing breakthrough solutions that turned the county's digital divide challenge into a national model for affordable broadband. Working closely with the Los Angeles County Internal Services Department across multiple phases, our strategic planning, market analysis, and competitive solicitation process unlocked $56 million in federal funding and forged a groundbreaking public-private partnership that now delivers some of the nation's most affordable high-speed internet to previously underserved communities.
HR&A Advisors is co-leading Pittsburgh's first citywide comprehensive plan, a two-year initiative establishing policies that will guide how the city will grow and change through 2050. Working closely with the Department of City Planning and a team of local and national partners, we are helping Pittsburgh set clear goals for housing, jobs, transportation, land use, and climate resilience.
HR&A developed a roadmap for Uber Technologies to help New York City meet Mayor Adam’s Administration’s goal for zero emissions by 2030 for for-hire vehicles through coordinated infrastructure expansion. Our assessment revealed critical charging gaps and produced ten strategic recommendations uniting the City, utilities, charging companies, and mission-driven landowners to ensure equitable driver access.
HR&A collaborated with the Schott Foundation to develop community-driven standards for responsible AI implementation in education, creating frameworks and resources that protect BIPOC students from algorithmic bias while ensuring youth, families, and educators have meaningful voice in technology decisions that affect their schools and futures.
On behalf of River City Company, HR&A led the development of a benefits case and implementation roadmap for a transformative Health & Wellness District along the 3rd & 4th Street Corridor in Chattanooga. HR&A aligned public, private, and institutional partners around a shared vision and positioned the District to drive innovation, job creation, and inclusive economic growth for Chattanooga and the region.
HR&A worked with the North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians of California to assess broadband connectivity solutions for their sovereign tribal nation of over 2,000 members. Through comprehensive feasibility analysis and community engagement, HR&A developed a strategic deployment plan that identified two viable pathways—a tribally owned wireless network and household service subsidies—to address critical connectivity gaps in this underserved Sierra National Forest community.
HR&A serves as lead strategic advisor and program manager to the California Department of Technology, helping to deliver the nation's largest middle mile broadband investment and building the state's digital equity ecosystem. We function as an extension of state leadership teams, building organizational capacity, delivering complex quantitative and qualitative analytics, and engaging thousands of Californians alongside hundreds of local governments, community organizations, and technology companies to design programs, secure funding, and drive measurable impact.
Greensboro's Gateway Research Park is reimagining its role as an innovation ecosystem. HR&A's comprehensive visioning strategy combines regional industry analysis, socioeconomic assessment, and governance redesign to position the park to better serve market demand.
HR&A is helping Dallas ISD direct $40 million toward community facilities in neighborhoods historically impacted by segregation and disinvestment. Our work developing student-family resource centers at two school campuses combines comprehensive community engagement with capital analysis to create hubs delivering services that reflect local priorities.
The Centre Pompidou is bringing Europe's largest modern art museum to Jersey City's Journal Square, creating a cultural destination poised to attract global visitors while serving local communities. HR&A developed the operating model, budget, and impact assessment for this transformative 2027 opening, guiding strategic decisions that will establish a thriving cultural district.
HR&A's equitable placemaking strategy is guiding how Indianapolis manages and activates its most prominent public spaces. Our work with the Department of Metropolitan Development (DMD) created programming, financial, and governance frameworks for Monument Circle, Georgia Street, Canal Walk, and Lugar Plaza that advance equity while supporting DMD's oversight of nonprofit management and South Downtown connectivity planning.
HR&A facilitated collaboration among Dominican government agencies to reimagine two cultural landmarks in Santo Domingo's Ciudad Colonial. Our work with the Inter-American Development Bank produced vision and implementation roadmaps for the Ruinas de San Francisco and Mercado Modelo, advancing toward construction through procurement support and operational planning.
HR&A worked with the Fairfax County Park Authority to redesign their funding model, shifting from a fee-dependent system that excluded lower-income residents to an equitable framework that prioritizes accessibility. Our analysis and recommendations will enable FCPA to serve all county residents while maintaining high-quality programming and expanding culturally competent recreation offerings.
HR&A led a multidisciplinary team to develop an implementation framework for community-led investment in Atlanta's Sweet Auburn neighborhood, working with local organizations to create the SAGE District model that prioritizes affordability, racial justice, and green infrastructure while building Black wealth and preventing displacement.
HR&A helped the Hilton Foundation refine its Los Angeles strategy to maximize the impact of over $300 million in regional investments across early childhood development, foster youth, opportunity youth, and homelessness initiatives. Our comprehensive socioeconomic analysis, peer foundation research, and strategic facilitation positioned the Foundation to adopt a more coordinated place-based approach that enhances local impact.
Rising rents and home prices threatened Chattanooga's affordability during a period of steady growth. HR&A's Housing Action Plan provided the City with strategic tools addressing rental affordability, homeownership access, and homelessness prevention while building ecosystem capacity to advance equity for all Chattanoogans.
HR&A equipped El Paso with a comprehensive roadmap to address its housing affordability crisis. Working with the Housing Authority of the City of El Paso and TAG Associates, our regional needs assessment and production plan analyzed barriers to both multifamily and single-family development while recommending solutions that positioned City Council to increase affordable housing investment.
HR&A positioned UT Austin to capitalize on prime real estate adjacent to Austin's thriving tech sector. Our market analysis and financial planning for the 475-acre J.J. Pickle Research Campus demonstrated how strategic commercial development could fund infrastructure and generate long-term revenue while advancing the university's academic and research missions.
HR&A developed an Affordable Housing Investment Strategy for Athens-Clarke County that will more than double the jurisdiction's affordable housing production. Our needs assessment, funding analysis, and stakeholder engagement identified strategies to deploy public dollars more effectively, moving beyond $1.7 million in annual federal entitlements to create local funding sources that increase flexibility and impact.
HR&A supported Destination Crenshaw, a community-based organization investing in public infrastructure in Los Angeles' Crenshaw District, to develop a broadband infrastructure strategy that advances digital equity in the epicenter of Black Los Angeles. Our infrastructure analysis, market sounding, and procurement support helped evaluate six vendor proposals and position the organization to select a partner aligned with community goals.
HR&A collaborated with JusticeLA and Designing Justice+Designing Spaces to advance transformative restorative justice initiatives through LA County's Care First Community Investment program. We developed a concept plan for a pilot campus in Long Beach and co-authored a 2022 concept paper proposing the FLOW Youth Center, a prototype for juvenile restorative justice that disrupts traditional incarceration models by prioritizing community-based mental health, substance abuse treatment, and holistic wellness programming.
HR&A developed and implemented the Game On! programming initiative for the Alliance for Downtown New York, transforming Lower Manhattan's Water Street Corridor from a staid financial district into an active neighborhood playground. Working with Auster Agency and 3×3 Design, we planned and executed a summer-long series of pop-up installations including mini-golf, beer gardens, and beach installations that attracted visitors aged 25-33 (37% of participants) and achieved 60% brand recognition while supporting local businesses through strategic programming and promotional partnerships.
HR&A has guided Research Triangle Park's transformation from a traditional research campus into a vibrant mixed-use innovation district through over a decade of strategic planning and implementation support. Our economic analysis, real estate strategy, and development advisory work informed a 50-year master plan that attracted Hines as a development partner and positioned RTP to remain a regional economic engine for North Carolina.
HR&A Advisors guided the Brooklyn Bridge Park Development Corporation through a comprehensive predevelopment planning process that transformed 85 acres of vacant, post-industrial piers into one of New York City's premier waterfront destinations. By creating an innovative self-sustaining funding model and facilitating complex stakeholder engagement, HR&A broke a 20-year implementation stalemate, enabling the award-winning Michael Van Valkenburgh-designed park to move from vision to reality.
HR&A developed a comprehensive strategy for the City of Tulsa to restructure community and economic development services across seven departments, authorities, and commissions, leading to the creation of the Tulsa Authority for Economic Opportunity (TAEO), known as Partner Tulsa. We then developed a three-year strategic plan for the new independent entity, establishing its mission, operational frameworks, and equity-focused performance metrics to advance racial equity and shared prosperity.
A major Los Angeles cultural institution faced a pivotal decision: undertake a costly, required seismic retrofit, redevelop portions of its site, or relocate entirely. HR&A provided real estate development advisory and scenario planning that equipped the Board of Directors with financial analysis and implementation roadmaps to choose a path forward.
HR&A supported the New York City Mayor’s Office of Climate and Environmental Justice (MOCEJ) to develop the AdaptNYC initiative, including a Climate Adaptation Roadmap, a led a multi-disciplinary team to summarize and forecast climate impacts to New Yorkers through 2100, including how particular hazards (extreme heat, extreme storms, chronic flooding) will impact people’s health, homes, mobility, economy, culture, and community. The work addressed systemic and institutional racism disproportionately impacting New Yorkers of color.
HR&A is supporting the City and County of Honolulu to assess the City’s climate-related financial risks and define strategies for funding and budgeting vital adaptation measures. As climate hazards like coastal erosion, flooding, and hurricanes become more frequent and severe, this initiative marks a significant opportunity for Honolulu to safeguard its future by investing in resilient infrastructure and long-term solutions.
HR&A developed a comprehensive strategic plan for BioDistrict New Orleans, leading a team of specialized local firms to create a framework for inclusive innovation district growth. Through systematic stakeholder engagement and market analysis, HR&A delivered prioritized investment strategies and a governance structure that leverages the district's institutional strengths while ensuring equitable community development and economic opportunity.
HR&A served as strategic partner and development advisor to Rice Management Company for The Ion and broader 16-acre Ion District in Houston, overseeing real estate and programmatic development. This comprehensive advisory role has successfully transformed a former Sears building into a thriving innovation hub while laying the groundwork for a 3-5 million square foot mixed-use innovation district that fosters an inclusive tech ecosystem and creates equitable economic opportunities.
Facing housing affordability pressures, the City of Saint Paul engaged HR&A to develop an anti-displacement and community wealth-building strategy. HR&A provided the City with tools and strategies to mitigate displacement while supporting new development.
HR&A worked with UT-Knoxville to assess the regional innovation ecosystem and develop a strategic framework for place-based investments. Our comprehensive research and stakeholder engagement provided the university with a clear roadmap for leveraging its assets to catalyze regional economic development and innovation.
HR&A guided the Moffitt Cancer Center in master planning and implementing SPEROS FL, Moffitt’s transformative 775-acre innovation campus outside of Tampa, Florida. This strategic advisory work supported Moffitt, Florida’s only National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, in expanding its clinical, research, educational, and treatment activities, directly advancing its mission of preventing and curing cancer through a cohesive, purpose-built campus environment.
HR&A is working with Sacramento County's Office of Economic Development to create a comprehensive Economic Development Strategic Plan that will guide the County's approach to job retention, business growth, and innovation over the next five years. Our inclusive stakeholder engagement process and analytical framework will inform strategic priorities and implementation approaches for addressing regional economic disparities.
HR&A developed a comprehensive strategic plan for Georgia Institute of Technology to strengthen Tech Square's position as a globally competitive innovation district. Through visioning and strategic planning, HR&A delivered recommendations that directly informed the design of a new 420,000 square foot anchor building, established a framework for enhanced district governance, and created a roadmap for leveraging the district's diverse talent pipeline to cement Georgia Tech's role as a global convener of innovators.
HR&A collaborated with the City of Richmond to develop inclusive recovery principles and a comprehensive Business Recovery Action Plan targeting small and locally-owned businesses. Our approach identified critical recovery needs, streamlined access to resources, and established actionable strategies that the City continues to implement, including expanded grant programs and improved service delivery for underserved business owners.
Working with Destination Crenshaw, HR&A developed a comprehensive strategic plan that establishes a roadmap for building a global cultural destination celebrating Black Los Angeles while countering displacement pressures. The resulting framework provides clear strategies, initiatives, timelines, and metrics to guide inclusive economic development while preserving the community's rich history and culture.
