URBAN PARTNERS

Jim has served as partner-in-charge for most of Urban Partners’ economic development projects and has been responsible for examining the market feasibility of many large-scale development and redevelopment projects since the firm’s inception in 1980. He has directed the firm’s downtown revitalization efforts in numerous cities in the mid-Atlantic and East Coast, and has prepared and helped implement neighborhood housing and commercial revitalization strategies in both large cities and smaller communities. Additionally, he has directed the firm’s work involving the planning and development of new village centers and transit-oriented developments, as well as significant participation in the establishment of transfer of development rights programs (TDR) in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. He has also completed numerous studies documenting the regional tax and employment impacts of major cultural institutions.

Jim had over ten years of experience as an economic and social planner prior to founding Urban Partners. From 1977 to 1980, he administered $15 million annually of CDBG and EDA funds as Deputy Director for Economic Development of Philadelphia’s Community Development program. Previously, Jim served on the faculty at the University of Texas and at the Fels School of Government at the University of Pennsylvania. Jim is a former Board Chair of the Entrepreneur Works and serves on the Advisory Board of the Philadelphia Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC).