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.
For too long, the office has been shaped by rigid zoning laws, inflexible lease structures and outdated underwriting standards. These frameworks were designed for a world where work meant sitting in an office from 9 to 5, five days a week. That world is gone. The rise of hybrid work, AI and automation is rewriting what it means to work.
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.
Since 2022, HR&A has supported New York State's Empire State Development to design and implement a comprehensive workforce strategy for the newly established Office of Strategic Workforce Development. The office’s core focus is to establish strategic priorities for job training aligned with industry needs and to fund new programs – through a $150 million grant program – that connect un- and underemployed New Yorkers especially from historically marginalized communities to in-demand, high-quality jobs in priority industries. Ultimately, this internal and external-facing effort seeks to strengthen New York’s economic competitiveness and expand economic opportunity and mobility for all New Yorkers.
This op-ed written by Sulin Carling and Larisa Ortiz was originally published by Vital City.
Following years of temporary solutions, Greater Richmond Transit Company (GRTC) engaged HR&A to lead a comprehensive site selection process and transit-oriented development study for a permanent Downtown Transfer Hub. This multi-phase approach culminated in a development concept, funding strategy, and implementation roadmap that has advanced to a formal agreement between GRTC and the City of Richmond as GRTC pursues federal grant funding for construction.
HR&A partnered with the California Service Employees International Union (SEIU) to provide comprehensive research and advocacy support for CalAccount, a proposed zero-fee public banking program that will provide all Californians with access to essential financial services. Through groundbreaking economic analysis and implementation planning, HR&A helped SEIU and its partners secure passage of the landmark Public Banking Option Act (AB 1177) and informed a subsequent market feasibility study, which led to the enacting legislation now being considered in the California State Assembly.
HR&A conducted a comprehensive update of the New York City Tech Ecosystem Study for ABNY, Tech:NYC, and Google, delivering influential analysis that shaped policy discussions on tech workforce development and economic growth. Our research revealed significant sector expansion to 7% of the 4.27 million people working in New York City in 2021, as well as critical challenges in diversity and talent retention. Our findings and recommendations for addressing representation gaps were featured in The New York Times and The City.
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 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 supported the development, launch, and implementation of the Nashville Innovation Alliance, a groundbreaking public-private partnership that brings together the region's innovation organizations to foster collaboration and build a vibrant, inclusive innovation ecosystem. With the Alliance's successful launch in July 2024, Nashville is positioned to grow its strengths in technology, innovation and entrepreneurship.
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 worked with Forest Forward, a Dallas-based non-profit, to quantify the economic and community impacts of redeveloping the historic Forest Theater in South Dallas. Our analysis demonstrated how this landmark project would generate measurable economic benefits while expanding equitable access to cultural arts facilities and strengthening community health and safety outcomes across South Dallas.
The pandemic has been devastating for gig workers. The Workers Lab’s latest Design Sprint is testing how new technology can fix flaws in the unemployment insurance system and strengthen the safety net for gig workers.
This spring, the City Council will vote on Mayor Eric Adams’ City of Yes for Economic Opportunity proposal – an important step for solving the myriad real estate challenges that small businesses face in a changing economy. It brings about long overdue changes to zoning created over 60 years ago by city planners who could not have conceived of how – and where – our city’s economy operates today. As the Department of City Planning describes it, this proposal will “allow more types of businesses in more places” and remove barriers to growth.
HR&A led an interdisciplinary team to develop a transformative vision and implementation strategy for Prince George’s County’s Blue Line Corridor, a 6-mile stretch along Central Avenue in Maryland. This comprehensive plan has already secured over $450M in state funding and bonding capacity for priority capital projects including a youth sports fieldhouse, amphitheater, central library and cultural center, market hall, and multimodal infrastructure while establishing a replicable model for place-based economic development countywide.
Millennials — Americans born between the early 1980s and late ’90s — are about to become the nation’s wealthiest generation. Estimates of assets that will move from baby boomers to millennials over the next two decades range from $84 trillion to $124 trillion, a transformation that will have a profound impact on how cities look and function.
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 prepared the Syracuse region to absorb housing demand from Micron's $100 billion chip plant—the largest private investment in New York State history—through comprehensive market analysis across six counties that identified optimal growth areas and recommended strategies ensuring this transformative investment strengthens communities rather than creating displacement.
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.
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 provided the Inter-American Development Bank with a comprehensive roadmap for expanding broadband access across Colombia's Aburra Valley. Our pre-feasibility study examined infrastructure, demand, and multi-dimensional feasibility considerations to determine whether a neutral network could deliver socio-economic benefits across this ten-city metropolitan area.
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.
Austin's newly established Economic Development Corporation is tackling affordability and displacement through strategic public investments and innovative financing tools. HR&A is collaborating with QBL Partners to implement the EDC's ambitious agenda, advancing a TIF district for the 118-acre South Central Waterfront, creating a cultural trust to preserve performing arts spaces, and building a pipeline of public benefit transactions citywide.
Eastchester Gardens residents faced a pivotal decision about converting their development from public housing to project-based vouchers. HR&A served as Resident Advisors with LISC NY and Public Works Partners, providing technical expertise helping the Resident Review Committee understand complex developer proposals and make an informed decision about the future of their homes.
Downtown Staten Island secured $10 million in New York State Downtown Revitalization Initiative funding through HR&A's strategic investment planning. Leading a multidisciplinary team, we developed implementation roadmaps for 10 catalytic projects that will leverage state funding to attract millions in additional investment and advance downtown revitalization.
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.
Real member experiences are reshaping how San Francisco Health Plan delivers care. HR&A's equity-focused assessment identified systemic barriers through data analysis and community engagement, informing state regulatory reporting while providing actionable insights now guiding targeted improvements in culturally competent care for diverse low-income populations.
Arlington Heights could host one of Chicagoland's greatest economic engines. HR&A advised the Chicago Bears on transforming a 326-acre site into a state-of-the-art stadium and mixed-use entertainment district, providing economic impact projections, market analysis, and financial feasibility that support the team's approval efforts and stakeholder engagement.
HR&A helped transform how Oregon positions itself as a sporting industry powerhouse by conducting a comprehensive economic analysis for the Portland Business Alliance and industry partners. Our research quantified the sector's impact across five counties and directly catalyzed state legislation to support continued growth.
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 helped four New York communities leverage $40 million in state Downtown Revitalization Initiative funding to attract $95 million in additional investment and create 1,500 jobs. Our strategic investment plans identified 45 catalytic projects transforming formerly declining downtowns through targeted public investments that sparked private development and community growth.
HR&A positioned Audible to demonstrate and amplify its economic impact in Newark. Working with the Global Center for Urban Development, we developed evaluation frameworks and conducted economic analysis quantifying Audible's contributions as a major employer in the region's cultural economy while creating strategic tools to guide future community investments.
HR&A collaborated with Fairfax County and the Economic Development Authority to develop a comprehensive Economic Recovery Framework that positioned the county for stronger, more inclusive economic growth following the pandemic. Our analysis and community engagement produced strategic recommendations that guided the County's investment in new programs and partnerships designed to strengthen local businesses and create opportunities for all residents.
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 is positioning Raleigh's Historic Resources and Museum Program for its next decade of growth through a strategic plan that will maximize operational efficiency, diversify programming, and strengthen the organization's role in the city's cultural ecosystem. Our community-informed approach will inform HRM's capital and operating priorities within the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources framework.
HR&A's fiscal impact analysis strengthened Santa Monica's negotiating position with the 2028 Olympic organizing committee. Our evaluation of hosting versus non-hosting scenarios revealed visitor spending patterns, revenue generation, and service costs that led City Council to direct staff to secure more advantageous terms from LA28.
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 assisted the Horizon Project Foundation, a collaboration between the Medical University of South Carolina Foundation and the City of Charleston, in selecting a master developer for WestEdge, a 48-acre mixed-use district. Our evaluation process and transaction structuring led to the selection of Gateway Development, which has since delivered nearly one million square feet across three buildings including residential, retail, and innovation office space.
HR&A transformed the DowntownDC Business Improvement District's annual economic report into a powerful storytelling and advocacy tool for downtown Washington's post-pandemic recovery. Our comprehensive sector analysis and employment study provided the BID with evidence-based insights to engage stakeholders, guide strategic decisions, and advance recommendations that will shape downtown's economic future.
HR&A created a cohesive economic development roadmap that unified Baltimore's Station North neighborhood around a shared vision for its future as a transit-rich cultural arts district. Working with Central Baltimore Partnership and Johns Hopkins University, our real estate investment strategy and policy recommendations positioned diverse institutions, businesses, and community organizations to maximize the impact of development efforts.
HR&A and Halff Associates equipped Downtown Mansfield with a strategic roadmap to unlock real estate development and market growth. Our policy recommendations, program design, and investment analysis provide the City with actionable tools to strengthen its downtown core and generate new tax revenue through catalytic public and private investment.
HR&A advised Los Angeles World Airports on the local and regional economic impacts of redeveloping and expanding Los Angeles International Airport over nearly a decade spanning three mayoral administrations. Using extensive REMI and IMPLAN modeling, we prepared detailed economic impact analyses that evaluated alternative master plan concepts and provided critical data for decision-making by senior LAWA management, City officials, and regional leaders while addressing questions from elected officials and the public about development implications.
HR&A Advisors worked with Friends of the High Line and the New York City Department of Planning to demonstrate the economic potential of transforming the abandoned High Line railway into a public park. Through detailed impact analysis and an innovative rezoning strategy, HR&A helped create a world-renowned public space that has generated $52 billion in economic activity and reshaped Manhattan’s West Side.
HR&A advised The Trust for Public Land (TPL) on two strategic research initiatives that strengthened cities' abilities to leverage parks for economic development. The research illuminated the economic value of quality open spaces in five different U.S. cities and provided parks departments with implementable regulatory frameworks to secure development-driven funding, ultimately enhancing TPL's advocacy toolkit for municipal partners nationwide.
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.
The New York City Mayor’s Office of Recovery and Resiliency and the New York City Economic Development Corporation engaged HR&A to develop a strategic plan for Lower Manhattan as part of the Lower Manhattan Coastal Resiliency Project following Superstorm Sandy. Our work led to capital projects with over $1.7 billion in committed funds, as well as the innovative FiDi and Seaport Climate Resilience Plan.
HR&A helped HERE to HERE unite approximately 25 major employers to transform workforce development in the Bronx, creating systematic pathways connecting local youth with career opportunities. Our feasibility study, operating plan, and strategic convening led to the launch of CareerWise NYC, an apprenticeship program for high school students, and established frameworks for sustained employer investment in developing the borough's talent pipeline.
HR&A is supporting the Center for Economic Growth in developing a strategic plan, operating model, and governance structure for an advanced manufacturing workforce development center in Albany, one of three facilities selected under New York State's $200 million ON-RAMP program. Our comprehensive planning work is positioning CEG to launch a facility connecting Upstate New Yorkers with well-paying jobs in high-growth manufacturing and construction sectors.
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.
Since 2022, HR&A has worked with leaders in Manhattan’s Chinatown neighborhood to support recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, address systemic challenges facing the small business community, and foster a new generation of AAPI entrepreneurs seeking to preserve the cultural identity of Chinatown.
