On Wednesday, March 11, 2026, members and guests of our chapter gathered for an engaging panel discussion on the state of retail in New York City. The panel featured Sally Burns of the Union Square Partnership, Doug Kleiman of RIPCO, LAI NY chapter member Andie Miller of RIPCO, and Carolyn Grossman Meagher of the NYC Department of City Planning. The discussion was expertly moderated by Dr. Rachel Meltzer of Harvard University.
The conversation covered a wide range of topics related to the evolving retail landscape and emphasized the role active storefronts play in supporting vibrant neighborhoods. Carolyn Grossman Meagher and Andie Miller discussed new and cutting-edge data sets that allow for more accurate mapping of retail locations and market characteristics across the city.
The discussion then turned to the challenges of reducing retail vacancy rates. Carolyn highlighted the City’s recent rezonings, which provide businesses with greater flexibility to create spaces that combine experiential services with traditional brick-and-mortar retail. Doug Kleiman emphasized the need for both landlords and tenants to embrace flexibility as they adapt older retail spaces to new uses. Sally Burns highlighted the work of the Union Square Partnership in collaborating with building owners to reduce vacancies and improve quality of life around Union Square.
The discussion was followed by a lively Q&A session. Attendees brought perspectives from across multiple industries and engaged directly with the panelists. The event served as a strong reminder of the depth of expertise within the LAI community. Thank you to all of our members and guests for attending and contributing to such a thoughtful and interactive discussion.
