Hudson Square Business Improvement District
New York, NY
Experience: 3-5 years
Website: http://www.HudsonSquareBid.org
Launched in July 2009, the Hudson Square Connection has made significant progress in completing the neighborhood’s transformation into a major creative hub that is home to more than 50,000 people working in advertising, design media, communications, technology and other creative businesses. Our district is generally bounded by West Houston Street on the north, Canal Street on the south, 6th Avenue on the east and Greenwich Street on the west.
Incorporated as a 501c3, not-for-profit organization, our formal name is the Hudson Square District Management Association, but we do business as the Hudson Square Connection. The district we manage is a Business Improvement District (BID) one of 72 such organizations around the City. Our signature programs include our Pedestrian Traffic Managers, the award-winning Hudson Square Standard – considered the platinum standard in urban forestry – and our nationally recognized streetscape program Hudson Square is Now, a public-private partnership with the City of New York. Our goal is to foster a socially, culturally and environmentally sustainable community that captures the spirit and innovation thriving in the commercial spaces and bring that energy into the public realm.
The Connection was unanimously approved as the 64th BID in New York City by the City Council on January 28, 2009. The BID is funded primarily through the payment of an annual assessment on commercial property, with an annual budget of $2.5 million. The NYC Department of Finance disburses these funds to the BID through a contract with the Department of Small Business Services. In part, we measure the returns on this investment by the success of our businesses and the comfort and pride our workers take in this exciting community.
Hudson Square, located in the heart of Manhattan’s lower west side, has emerged as an extension of the Midtown South submarket. Home to the City’s printing industry in the mid-20th century, our art-deco style, loft-like buildings are perfectly positioned to house today’s office worker. However, the area has been physically and psychologically dominated by the entrance to the Holland Tunnel since its opening in 1927, with our streets designed for cars and trucks and our sidewalks for loading and unloading. Up until recently, years of disinvestment in the public realm was inhibiting private investment. Our mission from the day we opened our doors, has been to make Hudson Square a place for people.
The Position:
HSC seeks a Planning Director to complete the implementation ofHudson Square Is Now and to oversee the BID’s Traffic and Streetscape Programs. Reporting directly to the President and working closely with Marketing, Economic Development and Operations staff, the Planning Director will bear primary responsibility for hiring and monitoring relevant consultants and for obtaining all necessary public approvals for projects on public property. The Director will have demonstrated planning and implementation skills and significant experience with New York City capital project approval processes. He or she should be a creative, energetic and articulate individual who appreciates the challenges and advantages of working to achieve public-private partnerships.
The successful candidate will have a background in urban planning, open/civic space planning and a knowledge and passion for sustainable design. He or she will be a highly motivated individual who enjoys working in an open, inclusive environment that emphasizes cooperation and teamwork. Some familiarity with BIDs, or public-private membership organizations is a plus. In addition, he or she will find the neighborhood stimulating and the projects exciting. He or she will possess good judgement as well as a sense of humor.
Specific Responsibilities
The successful candidate will have a background in urban planning, open/civic space planning and a knowledge and passion for sustainable design. He or she will be a highly motivated individual who enjoys working in an open, inclusive environment that emphasizes cooperation and teamwork. Some familiarity with BIDs, or public-private membership organizations is a plus. In addition, he or she will find the neighborhood stimulating and the projects exciting. He or she will possess good judgement as well as a sense of humor.
Specific Responsibilities
- Develop and implement short and long term goals for the BID’s Traffic and Streetscape programs
- Work with the President and the Board’s Traffic & Streetscape Task Force to assure that goals are consistent with the Board’s vision and that resources are appropriately allocated
- Develop and monitor annual program budgets and compliance
- Maintain relationships with community stakeholders and serve as primary point of contact between the BID and Manhattan’s Community Board #2, as well as other neighborhood organizations and initiatives
- Advance projects through various public approvals
- Coordinate solicitation and ongoing work of landscape architects and traffic consultants
- Develop and implement green infrastructure and other neighborhood projects to address the local environmental and economic impacts of climate change
- Three-five years progressively responsible experience in planning, capital projects or implementation of public-private real estate partnerships
- Extensive experience in community relations and public affairs in connection with community-based planning initiatives in NYC
- A demonstrated record of moving projects though the City bureaucracy, including a basic understanding of the City budget; specific experience working Parks and DOT a plus
- Experience managing consultants
- A level of comfort dealing with commercial property owners and building managers
- Strong communication skills
- Ability to balance attention to detail with achieving strategic objectives
- Imagination and drive