Mark Simpson Email & Phone Number

Washington, Dc, Us

Washington, District Of Columbia, United States

As Director of Planning & Economic Development, I oversee a range of research, policy, and project initiatives focused on revitalizing the Downtown core in the post-COVID era. I am thrilled to continue work on reimagining DC’s downtown core in the post-pandemic era, implementing the vision outlined in the Downtown Action Plan, which was published in June 2024. In addition to overseeing and contributing to initiatives aimed at catalyzing change downtown, my areas of focus include:- Strategic Planning- Business Retention & Attraction- Research & Data Analysis- Stakeholder Collaboration- Program Management- Public Relations & MarketingPlease do not hesitate to reach out to me if you are working on any projects or programs that impact Downtown DC. I am always ready and eager to help where I can, or at least point you in the right direction for support and resources. I feel fortunate to contribute to the next chapter of downtown as a dynamic and desirable neighborhood that serves the needs of all those in our neighborhood, city, and larger metro region. Looking forward to partnering with you now and in the future.

Washington, District Of Columbia, United States

At the Golden Triangle BID, I oversaw planning and economic development projects related to Downtown's revitalization, both within the BID's boundaries as well as policy and stakeholder engagement efforts that impacted other areas in DC’s central business district. With the support of my team, I managed a wide array of initiatives, including art installations & cultural performances, urban design & public space improvements, tracking real estate market data & pipeline project information, and coordination with District partners and community stakeholders. I was the lead project manager, key contributor, and implementation coordinator of the 2024 Downtown Action Plan, a multi-year, $401 million road map which defined a clear set of interventions and investments in the Downtown core to shepherd in a new chapter of dynamism for the heart of the District. Other major project accomplishments included:- Facilitating and advising the applications by two (2) local businesses who successfully secured nearly $1M in funding from DMPED's FY24 Downtown (Retail) Recovery Grant Program- Design, permitting, construction and installation of four (4) custom-built shade canopies in the Pennsylvania Avenue Pocket Park- Developing the BID's first comprehensive database of real estate market information for member properties, and new monthly data reporting standards based on best practices from across the nation- Drafting detailed market analysis to describe the impact of work-from-home trends on the commercial real estate market, and managing staff in the creation of detailed GIS and spatial analyses- Founding member of a Housing in Downtown (HID) tax abatement working group, made up of real estate professionals, industry advocates and the DowntownDC BID- Overseeing and managing staff through a successful the recertification process of USGBC's LEED for Communities rating system, securing Platinum-level accreditation for the BID

Washington Dc-Baltimore Area

- Focused exclusively on public-private redevelopment of the Historic Walter Reed Campus in DC’s upper Ward 4. Lead project executive representing Urban Atlantic with project partners, DC government officials, and community leaders- Primary responsibility managing all aspects & consultant teams for new construction of market-rate, conventional multifamily development projects, from pre-development through lease-up/disposition. Lead initiatives related to design, entitlement, community engagement, budgeting, contracting, construction management. Projects include: The Reynard (344 Conventional Rental Apartments)• Closed Summer 2022, Initial Occupancy Q2 2024 The Vale (301 Conventional Rental Apartments)• Closed Winter 2018, sold pre-occupancy to 3rd party in Summer 2021 The Brooks (89 Condominium Homes)• Closed Winter 2018, initial occupancy Spring 2021, Sellout May 2023- Oversaw brand management, marketing and community events (100+ per year) for entire campus. Experience with media training, press communications, and public presentations on development updates, community news - President of TPWR Owner’s Association, supervising property management team’s annual operating budget. Responsible for successful completion of first landscape/amenity improvements, including 10,000 SF dog park and 7,500 SF children’s playground- Managed disposition of five smaller (>20,000 SF) historic buildings to local CBE developer and owner/operator partners- Promoted from Development Associate to Development Manager in June 2020

Washington D.C. Metro Area

RCLCO is the real estate industry's premiere land use consulting and investment advisory firm. The company serves clients of all scales, specialties and regions, from individual developers to pension funds, city administrators to real estate investment trusts.I focus on the Urban Practice Group, which specializes in addressing the most pressing questions of land use, investment and development in existing cities. Some of my projects include finding the highest and best use a small infill tract in Dallas, TX; assessing the land value of formerly light industrial parcels entitled as dense, mixed-use development in Washington, DC; and projecting demographic, housing and retail trends over the near- to mid-term in Alexandria, Virginia. Other responsibilities and experience include:• Conducting financial and market feasibility analyses for a variety of land uses, including sustainable, mixed-use, multifamily residential, commercial, retail, urban infill, transit-oriented, and brownfield developments. Analyzing findings for a range of clients, encompassing landowners, developers, investors, local governments, and NGOs• Assessing the tax, revenue and lifestyle impacts of a potential real estate development, from estimated land values to changes in employment or consumer patterns• Conceptualizing development strategies including phasing, financing, design, and branding• Responsible for project lifecycle from inception through completion; directing junior team members, overseeing the project’s analytical framework, and handling client relationships• Managing project budgets and billing projections to remain profitable while delivering impactful work to client• Developing intellectual property initiatives involving high-level trends in real estate and capital markets

Greater Los Angeles Area

Dual Masters' Degrees: Architecture (M.Arch1) and Urban Planning (MURP)Graduated with Distinction from the Architecture DepartmentRecipient of the AIA CertificateRecipient of the Faculty Award from the Planning Department

Santa Monica, Ca

During this internship I was responsible for zoning analysis and building massing studies for numerous multifamily development proposals. The firm worked closely with a local developer who required timely summaries of density and massing opportunities on potential acquisitions. Two of the projects included the conversion of an industrial storage shed to Crossfit gym and proposals for the small lot subdivision of a multifamily project in Baldwin Hills. I also worked with senior level architects on building material schedules, drafting structural drawings and model making.

Santa Monica, Ca

Kendall Planning + Design is a small firm that specializes in developing bicycle- and pedestrian-oriented plans. More recently, the firm has focused on bicycle education programs in school and university settings. I was brought on to the firm soon after moving to Los Angeles to work on two projects:• University of Southern California - University Park Campus Bicycle Master Plan & Education Program• Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District - Safe Routes to School Program for Grades K-12

Greater New York City Area

BICI is a multidisciplinary bicycle planning, policy and infrastructure design firm that serves large and small institutions and entities, including universities and commercial buildings. As a consultant team, BICI provides design and planning services, as well as policy, research, and community development assistance. BICI partners with municipalities and private institutions to design client-specific projects and programs that augment cycling rates. With a combined 10 years experience in cycling issues and advocacy, BICI adds the necessary project experience to any bicycle initiative to ensure its long-term success.

Greater New York City Area

As a small firm specializing in high-end interior renovations, Sam Trimble Design provided my equally intimate and demanding introduction to the design world. I was originally brought on as a asst. project manager, but was soon tapped to assist with other tasks around the office. My primary responsibilities included:• Managing on-site construction projects and tasks.• Coordinating and communicating with a variety of different building trades to ensure timely completion of projects• Assisting in model building and conceptualization

M.Arch & Masters Of Urban + Regional Planning

Activities and Societies: Professional Certificate - Design & Development, Urban Humanities Initiative

B.A. Cum Laude, Double Major: Political Science & Spanish Literature

Activities and Societies: Sustainability Task Force