This press release was originally issued by NCPC. 

The National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC), on behalf of the Pennsylvania Avenue Partnership, announces the selection of DAVID RUBIN Land Collective (Land Collective) to lead design of the New Pennsylvania Avenue Plan in collaboration with HR&A Advisors (HR&A), whose role was announced earlier this year. The partnership comprises the U.S. General Services Administration, National Park Service, District of Columbia Government, Events DC, DowntownDC Business Improvement District, and NCPC.

The New Pennsylvania Avenue Plan will guide the redesign and management of this iconic street, located between the White House and U.S. Capitol in the capital city, into an exceptional and dynamic destination with an elevated local and national role. The partners envision an inclusive public space that is welcoming, beautiful, and fulfills the Avenue’s potential as a venue for extraordinary experiences that showcase our heritage and aspirations for the future—a place to unite, celebrate, and tell our nation’s stories.

HR&A kicked off work in March 2024 to lay the foundation for Land Collective’s work that will build upon the public comments received in 2022 on the three early concepts developed by NCPC in collaboration with ZGF Architects. Land Collective and HR&A will start the next phase of work in late November 2024 and focus on testing these early concepts to inform development of potential design alternatives. These alternatives will be released for public review and feedback in late 2025/early 2026 through the National Environmental Policy Act and National Historic Preservation Act Section 106 processes. The New Pennsylvania Avenue Plan is anticipated to be completed in 2027.

Land Collective will lead the development of the public space master plan that will address redesign of the corridor, parks, and plazas to achieve the partners’ vision. Land Collective’s team brings design excellence and technical expertise in landscape architecture, urban design, and planning of environmentally and socially sustainable public spaces. Land Collective’s core team members include: Beyer Blinder Belle Architects and Planners, VHB, Rhodes Heritage Group, and studio:indigenous. They are joined by multidisciplinary collaborators, including &Access, Artichoke, Brandes Partners, Wayside Studio, Studio Pacifica, Dharam, Domingo Gonzalez Associates, ETM Associates, Jaffe Holden, and Thornton Tomasetti.

Land Collective’s portfolio spans a range of beloved landscapes, both local and national, including downtown Washington, DC’s Franklin Park; Pennsylvania Avenue’s National World War I Memorial/Pershing Park Rehabilitation; The National Mall’s Tidal Basin and Potomac Park Levee; Canal Park; Wilmington, Delaware’s Riverfront East Master Plan and implementation; Grand Rapids, Michigan’s Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park; and Westfield, Indiana’s Grand Junction Plaza, among others.

HR&A Advisors is an industry leader in economic development and urban open space stewardship, operations, maintenance, and funding strategies. Their team also brings expertise in events programming and production and landscape architecture. HR&A Advisors’ interdisciplinary team of experts includes Auster Agency, Field Operations, and ArentFox Schiff, whose national portfolio includes the Anacostia Waterfront Initiative in Washington, DC; The High Line and Brooklyn Bridge Park in New York City; Klyde Warren Park in Dallas; and the new Seattle Waterfront.

“As the country’s 250th anniversary approaches, now is the perfect time to elevate the Avenue as an enduring symbol of America’s democracy and a place for all Americans to enjoy,” said NCPC Chair Teri Hawks Goodmann. “The partners envision a reinvigorated Pennsylvania Avenue as a crown jewel in the nation’s capital. In Land Collective and HR&A Advisors, we have a great team to develop the New Pennsylvania Avenue Plan that will transform this national landmark into a beautiful, inviting, and resilient public space.”

“We are extremely excited by this collaborative effort to envision this significant cultural landscape as a vibrant national and international symbol, and a functioning, dynamic downtown stage for gathering, performance, and exhibition,” said Land Collective Founding Principal David A. Rubin. “Our team reflects Land Collective’s belief that equitable representation in both design and participation is essential to an impactful and actionable vision to realize the Pennsylvania Avenue Partners’ goals for this treasured civic landscape.”

“The HR&A team has been hard at work developing the implementation program’s framework that will guide design development for the New Pennsylvania Avenue Plan. We are excited to be joined by Land Collective to reactivate this iconic corridor for a new era, transforming it into a vibrant, inclusive space that truly represents the dynamism of our nation,” said HR&A Advisors Partner Stan Wall.

Pennsylvania Avenue is currently guided by an outdated 1974 Plan. Over time, changing economic, physical, and land use conditions have significantly impacted the Avenue’s function and character, reducing its utility as a street. While the pandemic exacerbated these issues, we now have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reinvigorate the Avenue as a place for people first.

Vanderbilt University announced an exciting step toward expanding its presence in New York City with the lease of a historic campus in the heart of Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood. This decision builds on the university’s long-standing history with New York City and signals an important step towards achieving its global vision. The occasion was marked by an event at General Theological Seminary attended by Vanderbilt executives, faculty, board members, and alumni as well as local elected officials.  

As Vanderbilt strengthens its ties to the NYC metro area, we are eager to see how this enhanced presence will contribute to both the university’s academic goals and the city’s continued role as a hub for talent and innovation. 

“Establishing a presence in New York City offers unparalleled opportunities for our students and faculty to engage with the world’s leading industries and institutions,” said C. Cybele Raver, provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs. “By deepening our connection to one of the world’s most influential and dynamic cities, we are positioning Vanderbilt to advance cutting-edge research, foster transformative educational experiences and create lasting global impact.” 

Congratulations to Vanderbilt University on this exciting new venture! We look forward to seeing the impact of this new campus in Chelsea and the benefits it will bring to the broader community. 

Read more about the project in this announcement from Vanderbilt.  

Featured Press 

Exclusive | Vanderbilt University Plans New York City Expansion — WSJ 

Vanderbilt Leases Struggling NYC Seminary for Campus Expansion — Bloomberg  

Vanderbilt expanding to New York City, opening campus in Manhattan — WSMV4 

Vanderbilt University to Open 150K-SF NYC Campus at Episcopal Seminary — Commercial Observer  

It is with great sadness that we share the news that HR&A Partner Kate Coburn passed away last week.

During her 14-year tenure at HR&A, Kate helped elevate our brand as one of the most trusted advisors in the industry, provided strategic guidance to countless clients about how to better serve their communities, and shaped a supportive company culture by bringing a sense of care to every interaction with her colleagues. With her deep commitment to mentorship and teaching, Kate’s legacy lives on in the many lives and careers she helped shape and support across HR&A and our extended community.

“HR&A wouldn’t be the place it is today without Kate’s contributions,” said CEO Jeff Hébert, “Kate created new pathways for women in the real estate industry, and she brought others along with her by mentoring the next generation and inspiring excellence in all she did. She was known for the passion she brought to her work as she helped shape consequential projects from New York City to Birmingham. Her characteristic spirit and zeal will be sorely missed by her colleagues and clients.”

Kate was a fearless trailblazer in our industry for over 30 years. Prior to HR&A, she was a leader at AECOM, Economics Research Associates (ERA), Cushman & Wakefield, and Rockefeller Center. Her legacy revitalizing downtowns and creating vibrant places is on display across cities in Alabama, California, Louisiana, New York, Texas and beyond. She also inspired and guided generations of real estate leaders across organizations such as Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW), New York Women Executives in Real Estate (WX), Public-Private Real Estate Professionals (P/PREP), and the Young Men’s/Women’s Real Estate Association.

To honor Kate’s legacy and her commitment to mentorship, HR&A is creating the “Kate Coburn Internship for Emerging Women in Real Estate” to help emerging professionals launch their real estate careers. Since the news of her passing, we have heard countless stories about Kate’s impact on the careers of so many across the HR&A extended network, and we can think of no better way to keep her spirit alive and continue her work supporting the next generation of real estate leaders and changemakers.

Kate leaves behind a loving family and expansive network of friends, collaborators, and colleagues. HR&A and Kate’s family recommend contributing to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation if you are interested in donating in Kate’s honor.

As part of our Hispanic Heritage Month celebration, we sat down with Raymundo “Ray” Cabrera, Senior Analyst, to discuss how his background has influenced his leadership style, his aspirations for the Latine/o community, and the projects he’s passionate about. His dedication to improving opportunities for others and his commitment to addressing critical issues like equitable economic development, transit access, and community engagement reflect the spirit of Hispanic Heritage Month.  

How has your background influenced your approach to leadership and problem-solving in your work? 

Ray: I grew up in a Mexican American family with deep roots in the Southwest. My great-grandparents came to the U.S. as children — both sides of my family worked in either mining or ranching. My grandparents were born in rural communities and eventually moved into the Phoenix area, growing our family. My family’s story has always been characterized by working-class resilience and each generation striving to improve the lives of their children. 

Coming from that background, the concept of servant leadership has shaped my career. My parents and grandparents made sacrifices for my generation, and I carry that sense of responsibility with me in everything I do. Whether I’m meeting with a government leader or a nonprofit executive, I see it as my duty to represent the voices of those who may not have the same access to those rooms. It’s not just about personal ambition — it’s about advocating for the hopes, dreams, and ambitions of my community. At HR&A, I’m privileged to be able to lead in a way that serves others, especially those who come from backgrounds like mine. 

What are your hopes and aspirations for the Hispanic and Latine/o community in the future and what challenges do you see ahead? 

Ray: The Latino community is incredibly diverse. My experience as a Mexican-American kid from the desert Southwest is very different from someone who grew up Hispanic in New York or a more recent immigrant from Central America. Despite these differences, my hope for our community centers on creating opportunities for people like my family — those who have worked tirelessly to provide a better future for their children. 

One of the biggest challenges we face is the growing difficulty of achieving the American Dream, especially for those from working-class backgrounds. For instance, my father was a blocklayer who initially thrived during a boom in Phoenix’s housing market. However, when the recession hit in the early 2000s, his opportunities vanished. Despite his hard work and skills, he struggled to access alternative pathways and resources. This experience drives my commitment to expanding access to opportunity for Latino communities. 

Homeownership is another central tenant of the American Dream that feels increasingly out of reach for the Latino community, and this is a major barrier to building generational wealth. Homeownership was always seen as the way to advance and provide a better future for your family, but for many people, that’s not possible anymore. My peers, my cousins, and my friends all struggle with this. And a lot of that comes down to policy decisions. We’ve made choices as a society to limit housing in places like L.A. and New York, making it too expensive for many. 

At HR&A, we’re lucky to be work working on urban challenges like economic development and homeownership that impact everyone, but it’s important to remember that some of these issues hit the Latino community and communities of color particularly hard.  

How do your current projects contribute to your aspirations for the Latino community? 

Ray: We’ve been working in Pacoima, a neighborhood in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles, with a Latino community that has faced many challenges, many of which are a result of redlining and environmental injustices from industrial activities. It’s a historically disinvested neighborhood where Black and Mexican-American communities have lived for generations. 

Currently, there’s a major opportunity for transformation with a new light rail extension planned to connect Pacoima to the broader transit network. While this investment could bring much-needed improvements and connectivity, it also raises concerns about potential gentrification and displacement. Communities of color can be negatively impacted by major infrastructure investments, where rising property values and rents lead to the loss of affordable housing for long-standing residents. 

To address these concerns, we’re supporting Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County (NLSLA) and the Pacoima community to develop a comprehensive equity agenda. This agenda is being set by engaging with the community and key stakeholders to identify concerns and priority issues. It aims to help inform a campaign, that will ultimately be led by a coalition of Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) to ensure that the benefits of the new transit project are equitably distributed, and that the investment serves the people who have been part of Pacoima’s fabric for years. We are working with NLSLA and Pacoima CBOs to help them lift up key policy and advocacy points for the CBOs to present to decision-makers to support their work advocating for measures that protect the community from displacement and ensure that the investment enhances the neighborhood without erasing its history and diversity.  

This project reflects my desire to help advance equitable development and ensure that significant investments in infrastructure contribute positively to the communities that have long been underserved. It’s about creating a future where progress doesn’t come at the expense of those who have already faced so many challenges. 

How do you support emerging Latino and Latina professionals at HR&A? 

Ray: One of the most impactful things for me has been the Comunidad Employee Resource Group (ERG) at HR&A. When I first joined the firm, the transition wasn’t seamless, and it took a while for me to find my bearings. The ERG became a source of support and belonging. It’s a space where we can share experiences and learn from each other. 

A key moment for me was also working with Andrea, a Latina leader at the firm who’s been a mentor and partner. Seeing her leadership and how she champions others has been inspiring. The Comunidad ERG has given me a sense of community and showed me the importance of creating spaces where Latino and Latina professionals feel seen, heard, and supported. It’s something I hope to continue fostering as I grow in my career.