Chief Planning and Development Specialist
New York
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| Phone: | (212) 592-6144 |
| Fax: | (212) 545-3305 |
University of South Florida, BA, Political Science, 1975
City University of New York, Hunter College, M.U.P., 1977
American Institute of Certified Planners
PP License - New Jersey
Member, Municipal Arts Society, Planning Committee
National Trust for Historic Preservation
Advisor for Civitas, Inc.
American Planning Association
Trust for Public Land, Special Advisor
Richard Bass is a licensed professional planner with more than 35 years of development and planning experience.
Richard is recognized in New York and New Jersey for his experience in community and economic development projects, comprehensive and strategic planning issues, zoning, and affordable housing matters. Throughout his career, he has played a significant role in numerous large-scale residential, commercial and retail developments, including a number of high-profile matters involving government-sponsored economic retention, relocation and incentive issues.
Richard also frequently represents clients in 2nd Avenue Subway construction impact mitigation issues, and regularly serves as an expert witness in complex eminent domain actions, including those involving the Atlantic Yards, Hudson Yards and Columbia University expansion in Manhattan.
Earlier in his career, Richard served as planning director for Manhattan Borough President Ruth Messinger. While in that position, he worked on the rezoning of the Riverside South project, and helped with the transition from the old City Charter to the new – using community based planning principles to help redefine the role of the Borough President as a political advocate in the land use process. Prior to that he served as director of planning for the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development, and as planning director for the cities of Jersey City, New Jersey and Coral Gables, Florida. Richard started his career in Jerusalem planning new towns for the State of Israel.
He is an adjunct professor at Hunter College, where he leads a site planning workshop and an annual planning studio, whose recent topics have included "Second Avenue Subway Construction Issues," "Master Plan for West New York," 'Master Plan for Hastings-on-Hudson," and "Future Population Growth in New York City: Housing Construction Issues." Previously Richard taught urban planning at Columbia University for many years. While there he led a group of students who produced a Master Plan for Bat Yam, Israel, which is currently being implemented.
Richard is a frequent speaker on issues related to planning, development and community empowerment. Richard is also a co-author of Herrick's land use and environmental blog, ZONE, which keeps readers up-to-date on the latest issues in land use and environmental law.
342 East 72nd Street Corporation - Second Avenue Subway Entrance Relocation
Representation of 342 East 72nd Street Corporation in fighting the relocation of a new subway entrance. The original plans called for the entrance to be embedded in the basement of a building at the corner of 72nd Street and Second Avenue, but the MTA announced a new plan to move the entrance to the middle of the block on 72nd Street between First and Second Avenues—directly in front of residential buildings. Herrick is helping the local building owners fight this plan.
Real Estate Company - Development Rights Acquisition
Representation of a real estate company in its negotiations to acquire a million square feet of development rights from the New York City Housing Authority. This project would also include the redevelopment of the 145,000 square-foot Beacon High School.
Boutique Hotel Group - Land Use Approvals
Representation of a luxury boutique hotel group in obtaining land use approvals for the construction of a hotel on New York's Lower East Side, and regulatory approval for a hotel on Thompson Street, Manhattan.
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