Downtown Westfield
Westfield, NJ - BRV was hired by Hudson’s Bay Corporation for consulting on the revitalization and beautification of Downtown Westfield. Westfield is an affluent suburban community with an active downtown that will be redeveloped in the near future. BRV provided design review services including reviewing site plans, developing connectivity opportunities, and providing recommendations for landscape and streetscape features that affect programming and operations. We also provided pandemic-era and future programming guidance, and encouraged the local business improvement district to add programming to Downtown Westfield while working within COVID restrictions.
34th Street Partnership
New York, NY - BRV founded the 34th Street Partnership in the 34th Street retail district in Midtown Manhattan. BRV managed the design, financing, and installation of capital improvements. The “first generation” of improvements was installed between 1994 and 1997; since that time, BRV has continuously upgraded the various streetscape elements, with innovations like applying LED technology to street signs. BRV also redeveloped Herald and Greeley Square parks as a part of this project and continues to manage and operate these public spaces.
Grand Central Partnership
New York, NY - BRV created the Grand Central Partnership, one of New York City’s first business improvement districts. Under BRV’s management, the Partnership financed and installed over $25 million in streetscape improvements, developed a new public space and restaurant at Pershing Square, and all but eliminated crime in the neighborhood, including an active drug market outside Grand Central Terminal.
Coconut Grove Partnership
Miami, FL - BRV worked with the Coconut Grove Business Improvement Committee to create a new business improvement district to generate new revenues in Coconut Grove, a picturesque "village" in Miami, with an active downtown full of restaurants and shops that cater to locals and tourists. BRV walked the BIC through every step of the process, working with the BIC staff to author a formal BID plan. This effort culminated in a November 2008 vote to create the new BID.
After the BID was created, BRV made recommendations on how the BID could supplement its revenues through creatively using its public spaces.
BRV also advised the BID on a host of planning and operating issues, on an on-call basis, for the year following its establishment.
Newark Downtown District
Newark, NJ - BRV advised downtown Newark property owners and other stakeholders on the formation of the Newark Downtown District in 2000. From 2004 through 2009, BRV advised the BID on a host of projects, long-term planning, operations, and finances. This included leading a $17 million capital improvement project, upgrading the streetscape on over 50 blocks of downtown Newark. BRV conducted planning, managed design, and oversaw the first phase of installation and construction of improvements. In addition, BRV arranged for the BID to issue $13 million in tax-exempt bonds through the public market and helped the BID achieve an investment-grade rating for its bonds.
Inner Harbor
Baltimore, MD - BRV was hired by the Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore, the BID that manages the renowned Inner Harbor, to improve the visitor experience at Baltimore’s waterfront entertainment district.
BRV examined the existing conditions at the site, analyzed the business model, and interviewed stakeholders about their various roles in the management of the inner harbor.
In turn, BRV developed a new governance model and operations plan for the space and created an implementation plan to make it a reality, taking into account the political realities surrounding the space.
Chelsea Improvement Company
New York, NY - BRV was retained to quickly and dramatically improve the public realm in the fashionable southwest Chelsea neighborhood by the principal real estate owners (Angelo, Gordon & Co., Belvedere Capital Management, Chelsea Village Associates, Jamestown, The Related Companies, Somerset Partners, and Taconic Investment Partners), anchored by Chelsea Market and Google. This neighborhood has rapidly changed from light industry and wholesaling, to high fashion and exclusive restaurants.
BRV devised a set of improvements to the public realm—both physical streetscape improvements and service improvements — and then founded the Chelsea Improvement Company to implement the improvements, and operated the company from January 2007 to January 2014 for the participating owners.
In that time, BRV created a new plaza at 14th Street and Ninth Avenue, developing programs, events, and a food concession in the public space; installed over $3 million in streetscape improvements; and created Manhattan’s first and New York’s largest neighborhood-wide Wi-Fi network. The Chelsea Improvement Company's new streetscape, including lamps attached to building facades, tree pits, parking signs, and other street furniture, has substantially upgraded conditions for pedestrians, with regards to safety and aesthetics.
South Beach BIDs
Miami, FL - BRV prepared a plan in 1999 for the re-establishment of three Business Improvement Districts in South Beach, working closely with the City of Miami Beach and hotel/restaurant owners.
Downtown Tempe Master Plan
Tempe, AZ - BRV worked with the Downtown Tempe Association (DTA) to create a comprehensive strategy to improve the public spaces and streetscapes of Downtown Tempe. Initially, the DTA sought to bring life back to Tempe Beach Park; but, as the project developed, BRV discovered a city saddled by underused and unrealized public spaces. BRV found multiple smaller-scale public spaces that could improve the quality of life much more drastically with thoughtful, small, and inexpensive changes.
Culminating in a final report of recommendations, BRV developed programming concepts fora network of ten underused public spaces, created operating budgets for each of these spaces, established long-term redevelopment goals for streetscapes and pre-existing community centers, and advised on the phasing strategy for all improvements.