Ideas and Action

Real Estate Development & Operations

Ideas and Action works with communities, clients, stakeholders and interdisciplinary consultant teams to translate community goals into feasible real estate development strategies, guidelines and plans.

Housing, Commercial & Community Facility Program Advisory

Project Feasibility Analysis

Project Funding & Financing Strategy

Real Estate Asset Evaluation & Due Diligence

Assemblage, Site Planning, Parcellation, Stacking & Phasing Strategy Advisory

Acquisition, Disposition & Other Real Estate Transaction Advisory

Real Estate Ownership Structures & Governance Strategy

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.
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.
Detroit North End Neighborhood Framework Plan
Neighborhood Framework Planning initiative in the North End to guide future development and foster economic and quality of life improvements that address the priorities of the community.
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.
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.
Saco Comprehensive Plan Update
Supporting the adoption of a local growth management program including a comprehensive plan and an implementation program.
Max Red Line TOD & Station Area Planning
Activate station areas of MAX Red Line Light Rail Corridor with potential Transit Oriented Development (TOD) opportunities on TriMet controlled properties.
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.
Hines Drive Greenway Corridor
A regional community planning effort promoting linkages between neighborhoods, communities, jobs, commercial areas, and destinations along a forty plus mile river greenway spanning west of Detroit.
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.
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