Cornell’s Baker Program in Real Estate is pleased to spotlight Jim Tuman as the next featured guest in its 2016-2017 Distinguished Speaker Series. Jim is the Chief Development Officer for Grid Properties Inc., a developer, owner, and operator of retail and mixed-use properties located primarily in historically and culturally significant urban infill locations in the Northeastern United States. Jim’s tenure with Grid Properties dates to 1989 upon completion of his Masters of Business Administration at Cornell University’s Johnson Graduate School of Management.
As Chief Development Officer for Grid Properties, Jim effectively coordinates between the multiple disciplines and the various constituents in the retail development process: public agencies, building and tenant work contractors, vendors, and the design and construction departments of retail tenants for Grid Properties’ development projects. Jim’s expertise may be best demonstrated by the success of the company’s critically-acclaimed Harlem USA and DC USA projects, for which he led all predevelopment and construction activities including coordinating all land use approvals, overseeing environmental remediation, managing the design and construction team, and coordinating tenant design and operational requirements.
In addition to his work as a principal, Jim has also served as an advisor on a variety of other large-scale projects including the Hospital for Special Surgery’s expansion over the FDR Drive in Manhattan, the headquarters for the Lighthouse in Manhattan, the Garden State Cancer Center in Belleville, New Jersey, and an addition to the St. Charles Hospital and Rehabilitation Center in Port Jefferson, New York.
Based in New York City, Grid Properties Inc. is a developer, owner, and operator of retail assets and also provides real estate development advisory and management services to corporations, financial institutions, not-for-profit organizations, and investors. The company’s retail projects are undertaken through Urban Strategic Partners – a joint venture with Gotham Organization, Inc. Urban Strategic Partners has internally funded 100 percent of the equity for its projects under management, with a combined value is excess of $1 billion including development projects underway. Urban Strategic Partners employs a long-term view and commitment to its projects to create significant value in its high quality retail and entertainment assets in historically and culturally significant locations.
The students and faculty of the Baker Program are honored to welcome Mr. Tuman back to the Cornell campus.
