Our advisory approach considers x, y, and z in order to maximize value in urban neighborhoods.
ADVISORY
ALA MOANA BEACH PARK, Honolulu, HI
As part of the BRV team, Agora Partners addressed deferred and ongoing operations and maintenance at Ala Moana Beach Park, "The People's Park" of Honolulu. With decades of history amidst a spectacular landscape of oceanfront greenspace and downtown and mountain views, Ala Moana Park is feeling the pressures of age and an encroaching downtown core. Through comprehensive asset management, Ala Moana Park is and will continue to be the central gathering space of Honolulu.
ANNE DALLAS DUDLEY PARK, Nashville TN
Agora Partners was hired by Giarratana Development to create a programming and activation plan for a new linear park in downtown Nashville, as well as consult on its design. Anne Dallas Dudley Park, a tribute to the famed suffragette, would convert a one-block-long street that connects the state capital to the main public library from a forgotten alley into Nashville’s first shared street, and a much-needed green space for downtown residents.
Mixed-Use Development, Houston, TX
Agora was hired by Barvin to advise on how to integrate the public realm into a new mixed-use development inside the Loop in Houston, Texas. Agora is advising Barvin on issues both within the project site, including connectivity and programming its public spaces, and outside the project site by optimizing the project’s proximity to a greenway. The project will eventually have hundreds of market-rate apartments and approximately 75,000 square feet of retail.
CITYWALK BHAM, Birmingham, AL
Agora Partners was hired to structure a a partnership between the Alabama DeDpeapratrmtemnetn t ofofTransportation and the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Center to manage CityWalkBHAM, a new,31-acre redevelopment district that will include a signature downtown park, an action sports park,multiple event venues, artist studios and galleries, business incubators, and other attractions—all underneath a one-mile stretch of elevated highway.Prior to this engagement, Agora principal Ben Donsky created a programming plan forCityWalkBHAMand led a citywide public engagement process.
COMMUNITY COLLEGE, Jackson, WY
Working with a local community college in need of land to accommodate new facilities and housing, Agora Partners assembled a land parcel in the hypercompetitive resort market of Jackson, Wyoming. Working with local officials and consultants, the site was successfully acquired and placed under ownership of the college.
EASTERN WHARF, Savannah GA
Agora Partners was retained by Regent Partners to first create and later execute programming and activation plans for Eastern Wharf, a new mixed-use development on Savannah’s riverfront. The project features hundreds of apartments, town homes, hotels, office buildings, and over 30,000 square feet of retail—all organized around an urban plaza and signature waterfront park. Agora is also working to create exciting interim uses at future development sites in the district. Agora’s market-based programming strategy will activate the parks and development with locals and tourists alike. Agora is also helping Regent Partners structure a public-private partnership with the City of Savannah to govern and manage the new waterfront park.
PROVIDENCE WATERFRONT PARK, Providence, RI
Agora Partners was hired by the Interstate 195 Redevelopment Commission to consult on the development of Providence Waterfront Park Park that will anchor the Providence Innovation & Design District. Agora advised the state agency on the terms of a proposed naming rights agreement for the park, and also consulted on the programming and design of a new food and beverage pavillion. Prior to this work and while employed by BRV Corp., Agora principal Ben Donsky created a business model and operating plan for Providence Waterfront Park.
MILTON HERSHEY SCHOOL TRUST, Hershey, PA
Agora Partners participated in a comprehensive portfolio review with D.R. Horne & Co. to ascertain highest and best uses subject to market opportunities, trends, financial hurdles, and other considerations specific to the organization. As part of the review, Agora Partners also made projections of value through either fee-simple sale, lease, or other structures. The scope of work included identification of assets, liabilities, valuations, land use, and operating and capital investment strategies. The final deliverable provided materials to define use, value, and order of implementation as the cornerstone of a real estate assessment and disposition strategy.
CONFIDENTIAL RETAILER, Santa Barbara, CA
To better serve their urban retail customers, a regional retailer enlisted Agora Partners to assess existing operations in terms of neighborhood context and public space activation. At times acting as tenant representative, and other times as urban strategist, Agora Partners advised on a range of operational and merchant-driven city-building opportunities. The retailer’s niche as a sustainable and resilient community steward is evidenced not only by their retail operations, but also in their outreach efforts to create true neighborhood destinations.
PROPERTY COALITION, Banff, CAN
Agora Partners worked with a coalition of property owners in the Canadian resort town of Banff to research and provide recommendations on controversial zoning legislation. Located entirely within a national park, Banff faces commercial growth pressures that are often perceived as conflicting with government mandates for national parks. Agora Partners provided expert testimony at a presentation to the Town Council, and then acted as a resource to town officials, to consider longer term ramifications to proposed land use changes.
HOUSING BUILD OUT ANALYSIS, Northampton, MA
Agora Partners provided planning, market, and development analysis to the City of Northampton, Massachusetts, in an effort to understand and capitalize upon the market realities of recent upzoning legislation. Agora assessed full build-out test-fit scenarios possible under new legislation against market demand by utilizing analyses of demographic trends, local and regional real estate metrics, comparable case studies, and best practices for development. With insight gained from this analysis, Agora provided a development feasibility study for prototypical sites in Northampton, with the goal of illustrating the gap opportunity between what can be accommodated through regulations and market realities.
SALT LAKE CITY CORP., Salt Lake City, UT
Agora Partners provided technical assistance to the Housing and Neighborhood Development Division for Community and Economic Development (CED) at the Salt Lake City Corporation. Through comprehensive review of city-owned property, Agora Partners worked with CED leadership to identify entrepreneurial alternatives to typical redevelopment scenarios. Agora Partners provided assistance on investment and development strategies through unique partnerships or dispositions. The final outcome includes development alternatives and proposals for those properties deemed capable of providing transformative city-building opportunities.
PRIVATE OWNER, Brookhaven, MS
An out-of-state private landowner asked Agora Partners to undertake a comprehensive market assessment and propose a development strategy for a large landholding. The proposal called for a mix of single-family residential and a seniors' apartment facility. Agora Partners investigated entitlements requirements, supply and demand fundamentals, engineering constraints, construction costs, and revenue potential. The final recommendations included best next steps, as well as phasing and exit strategies.
NEW YORK CITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORP., New York, NY
Agora Partners provided Real Estate Development Analysis to the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYC EDC) on an on-call basis. Utilizing Agora’s expertise in comprehensive real estate market studies across industrial, residential, and commercial markets, opportunities for real estate and economic development were outlined. In conjunction with the insight gained from the analysis, Agora examined the impact of regulations on market demand, as well as considered citywide projects in the pipeline to determine their contribution to economic development. Agora’s goal was to ensure best practices for real estate and economic development, as well as citywide sustainability, identifying opportunities for development and minimizing regulatory inefficiencies.