The State of Retail in NYC: A Panel Discussion

Panel Moderator: Dr. Rachel Meltzer, Harvard University

Dr. Meltzer is the Plimpton Associate Professor of Planning and Urban Economics at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design.  Her research is broadly concerned with urban economies and how market and policy forces can shape disparate outcomes across neighborhoods.  She focuses on issues related to economic development, housing, land use, and local public finance.

Panelist: Andie Miller, RIPCO

Andie Miller is the Director of GIS for Ripco Real Estate, a retail-focused commercial real estate firm.  She is responsible for overseeing the firm’s location intelligence strategy that supports leasing, investment sales, capital markets, and retail new market entry.  She is currently authoring a book titled “How to Succeed in CRE with GIS and Mapping,” set to be published next year.  Her work spans retail market entry strategy, predictive analytics, and data infrastructure modernization, earning her Master’s degree from Hunter’s GeoInformatic’s program in 2024.

Panelist: Sally Burns, Union Square Partnership 

Sally currently serves as the Senior Planning Associate at Union Square Partnership, where she manages the district’s data portfolio and develops data-driven market-focused publications on Union Square geared towards the real estate community.  She is also an Adjunct Lecturer at NYU Wagner, where she earned her Master’s degree in Urban Planning, and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Urban Studies/Affairs from McGill University.

Panelist: Doug Kleiman, RIPCO

Doug  joined RIPCO in 2012 and is an Executive Managing Director in RIPCO’s Manhattan office.  Doug began his career in commercial real estate in 2000, specializing in landlord and tenant representation.  As a native New Yorker, having spent his whole life on the Upper West Side, Doug has been able to provide valuable and unique “insider” knowledge to both his landlord and tenant clients.

Panelist: Carolyn Grossman Meagher, NYC Department of City Planning

Carolyn heads the Economic Development & Regional Planning Division within NYC’s Planning Department.  She is responsible for overseeing research and policy development of the agency related to sustainable and equitable place-based economic development and growth.  Her team recently led the successful development and adoption of “City of Yes for Economic Opportunity,” and NYC’s comprehensive overhaul of NYC’s zoning rules to support small businesses and commercial corridors.  She holds a Masters in Urban Planning with distinction from the Harvard Graduate School of Design, and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the New College of Florida.

We encourage you to join us to network and socialize with other chapter members and guests.

A light breakfast with coffee and tea will be served.

The event offers 1 AICP Certification Mainentance Credit.