James Stuckey - What Developers Can Do to Succeed in Tough Times

Even during the recent economic downturn, certain development projects have been successful. The field of real estate can be tumultuous, cautions James Stuckey. When unemployment rates are high, residential home sales screech to a halt and commercial developments are often put on hold, while consumers reduce spending and wait for things to improve.

Here, James Stuckey provides a few helpful tips for surviving an economic downturn in the real estate industry:

• Marketing—Branding is important for real estate development firms, just as with any other company. Work hard to get your name out there using social media and traditional marketing venues.
• Location—In-depth familiarity with a location can make the difference between success and failure in any real estate venture. Some real estate developments thrive even during a recession, James Stuckey has found. Good timing can make all the difference, and studying an area and its residents and amenities offers a developer invaluable information.
• Partnerships—James Stuckey emphasizes the benefits of partnering with real estate professionals who know the area. These partnerships can be invaluable resources for learning about the target demographic of a given project in order to determine the best location to build. A high-rise luxury condo development in a low-income area is often a bad idea, for instance, but if a developer intends to revitalize an area, being at the upturn of a trend can make such a project successful.

In conclusion, when it comes to real estate development, nothing replaces experience for predicting the market. However, with careful planning and a research, a developer can find success in any economy, says James Stuckey.

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James Stuckey on the Many Facets of Green Development

James Stuckey has an impressive thirty-year history in the field of real estate development, having worked as president of the New York City Public Development Corporation. In recent years, Stuckey has shifted his attention to sustainable development, and says that environmental protection is an important issue in the development community.

Green development, according to James Stuckey, simply refers to development that keeps environmental impact in mind. Stuckey says that sustainable development falls into several major categories:

• Renewable building materials-All development should be done with the environment in mind. Building materials should be sourced from “renewable” resources, including forests that can be easily rebuilt.
• Water efficiency-By building in a way that maximizes water efficiency, a developer not only can save the consumer money, he or she can also help the environment. Treating water requires a large energy output, so anything a developer can do to bring less water into a building on a daily basis can help the environment considerably. This also helps keep water in streams, lakes, and other waterways where it belongs.
• Waste-Leftover construction materials often end up in landfills, where they take up valuable space. Green developers take measures to “reduce, reuse, and recycle” these materials to minimize waste. Materials can be donated to charities like Habitat for Humanity instead of being thrown away.
• Technology-Technology can be used to conserve energy in a house by turning lights on and off at designated times and reducing heat and air use when no one's at home.

James Stuckey believes that if enough developers place a priority on sustainable development, considerable strides can be made in the struggle to protect the planet for may generations to come.

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Founder James P. Stuckey says Verdant Properties Offers Sustainable Development

James P. Stuckey founded Verdant Properties with the goal of building responsible and socially beneficial developments. Here, Stuckey answers a few questions about the firm.

Where is Verdant Properties Located?

Founder James P. Stuckey built the firm in his home state of New York. According to James P. Stuckey, Richmond County was the perfect location for the firm’s headquarters. Stuckey says that Staten Island is ideal because it is convenient to Brooklyn, Manhattan and New Jersey.

Why green development?

James P. Stuckey says that responsible building is important to the future of our nation. He also says that successful developments are both green and sustainable. According to James P. Stuckey, Verdant Properties is committed to making an effort to incorporate the types of smart technologies into every project that increase efficiency and do not deplete naturally occurring resources.

Is going green more expensive?

Not necessarily, says Stuckey, especially when the longevity of a building is considered. James P. Stuckey reports that Verdant also consults with companies that help create energy, such as ethanol, by utilizing waste. Since the firm uses architecture that flows with nature, energy cost are naturally reduced. The result is a cost effective and well-built structure that will last more than a lifetime, points out James P. Stuckey. 

What kinds of buildings does the team at Verdant promote for company projects?

James P. Stuckey believes in responsible building; he has completed numerous commercial, industrial and mixed-use development projects. Many of the developments that Verdant initiates focus on urban revitalization and creating jobs, says James P. Stuckey.

Does Verdant Properties specialize in any specific type of development?

Yes, according to founder James P. Stuckey, the firm has mastery in public-private development.

What projects has Verdant CEO James P. Stuckey managed in the public sector?

James P. Stuckey has an over 30-year resume of building in the state of New York. During his career, James P. Stuckey has spearheaded projects such as Public School 234 in lower Manhattan, the Chase Manhattan Bank building in Brooklyn, and the East New York Industrial Park.

What private sector jobs stand out to Verdant’s founder as notable?

The MetroTech Center, the Bank of New York above the Atlantic Terminal, and the New York Mercantile exchange, says James P. Stuckey, were three large-scale projects in which he’s been involved.  The list of privately funded developments continues to grow but James P. Stuckey says 15 MetroTech Center, the first building constructed in New York after the 9/11 attacks will always be one that stands out.

What projects are James P. Stuckey and Verdant Properties currently involved with?

Currently, Mr. Stuckey is looking at the acquisition of residential rental buildings in select markets.

Contact James P. Stuckey at Verdant Properties, info@verdantproperties.com

James P. Stuckey is the former Dean of New York University Schack Institute of Real Estate where his post-catastrophe development program is currently assisting Haiti to rebuild after the devastating earthquake of 2010. For more information about Verdant or to contact James P. Stuckey visit www.verdantproperties.com

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