Ideas and Action

Implementation, Capacity-building & Accountability

Ideas and Action works with clients and stakeholders to develop implementation plans for policies, programs and real estate development projects. Technical support for the creation of partnership structures and project agreements further unlocks new synergy, feasibility, and accountability for communities and stakeholders.

Public-Private Partnership Structures & Governance Advisory

Program & Real Estate Operating Plans

Financial Partner Engagement & Solicitation

Development & Operating Partner Solicitation

Development & Operating Agreements Advisory

Real Estate Transaction Structuring & Negotiation Support

Featured Projects

Downtown Akron Equity Framework
Downtown Vision and Redevelopment Plan with housing, retail, office, hospitality, public realm, entertainment and culture development strategies.
Bethlehem Community Center Feasibility Study
Feasibility study for a new community facility on Bethlehem’s Southside.
New York Forward Program
Revitalization projects in selected Villages throughout New York State.
Downtown Syracuse I81 Removal and Community Grid Vision Plan
Creation of a viable and equitable master vision plan for the I-81 viaduct vacated by NYSDOT.
New York State Downtown Revitalization Initiative
An annual state program awarding $10 million per winning city to conduct local planning and subsidize projects that provide opportunities for employment, housing, leisure and opportunity for all income and skill levels.
Seattle Public Utilities South Park Community Co-Development Project
Training and technical assistance for the Seattle Public Utility seeking to pursue co-development with community organizations on SPU land in an underserved neighborhood.
Albina Vision Trust Community Investment Plan
A vision and development framework for an inclusive community that works to heal the wounds of previous urban development that displaced and disempowered Portland’s Black community.
Corporation for Supportive Housing RACE Initiative
Redesigning Access by Centering Equity is a multi-year initiative to address the underrepresentation of BIPOC developers in the affordable and supportive housing industries.
Boston Planning & Development Agency Real Estate Strategy Consultant Services
On-call real estate advisory for BPDA’s 13 million square foot real estate portfolio.
Pittsburgh Greater Hill District Master Plan
Urban design and economic development plan centering economic justice and the Hill District’s cultural legacy, building on past and existing community development efforts in the neighborhood.
Affordable Housing Strategy Implementation
Implementation of affordable housing strategies in Ann Arbor, including development of underutilized publicly owned sites, strategic acquisitions of naturally affordable housing, and strengthening affordability in existing properties. 
Clark-Fulton Community Investment Fund Feasibility Project
Study exploring feasibility of a community investment fund (CIF) in Cleveland, Ohio, with focuses on financial behavior, spending patterns, investment capacity, and interest in shared community ownership.
Affordable Housing Social Equity Impact Protocol
Development of a new protocol for evaluating the social impacts of affordable housing redevelopment meant to guide socially-minded stake-holders toward more equitable outcomes. A baseline assessment tool for equitable housing redevelopment and a guide for ongoing accountability. 
Ann Arbor Opportunity Site Study for Long Term Affordability
The evaluation of 12 city-owned sites for a range of new affordable housing options.
Mifflin Park and Corridor Study
Community development plan for Mifflin Square in a South Philadelphia, representing a diverse set of local residents in coordination with 17 area organizations.
New York State Downtown Revitalization Initiative
An annual state program awarding $10 million per winning city to conduct local planning and subsidize projects that provide opportunities for employment, housing, leisure and opportunity for all income and skill levels.
Greater Corktown Framework Plan
Neighborhood Framework Planning initiative to guide future development that addresses the economic and quality of life priorities of the community.
Cody Rouge/Warrendale Child Centric Neighborhood Plan
A foundation funded planning process for multiple neighborhoods as part of the City of Detroit’s Strategic Neighborhood Initiative. A multi-year process to create a  framework and implementation plan for housing rehabilitation, streetscapes, parks and multifamily development.
Invest Health
An initiative bringing together leaders from 50 mid-sized U.S. cities to identify barriers to public health while leveraging private and public investments to address these barriers.
Friendship Court Master Plan and Redevelopment
New engagement framework with current residents and community stakeholders to formulate a vision to promote opportunity and affordability at Friendship Court.
Gulfport Commercial Redevelopment Zone Program
Planning and program recommendations to drive economic growth and environmental sustainability in commercial corridors within the Gulfport Commercial Redevelopment Zone.
Quicken Loans Community Investment Fund Right of Refusal Fund
An initiative to provide a right-of-refusal (RoR) to Detroit residents occupying properties slated for auction after tax-lien repossession.
Livernois McNichol Corridor Study
Planning framework to facilitate collaboration between communities and the City of Detroit to address vacancy with new productive landscape projects.
PLACEHOLDER Hopewell Mann Neighborhood Stabilization Plan
PLACEHOLDER Spokane 5th Avenue Community Plan