The parish of Trinity Church-St. Paul's Chapel in Lower Manhattan has named Carl Weisbrod, president of the Alliance for Downtown New York, Inc., as executive vice president of real estate. In his new role, Weisbrod will develop, manage and oversee Trinity's real estate holdings in Lower Manhattan totaling approximately six million square feet, headquartered just two blocks from the World Trade Center, and based primarily in the Hudson Square area west of SoHo and south of Greenwich Village. Trinity ranks among the largest commercial property owner managers in New York City.
Weisbrod will also be a member of the parish's executive team, the advisory body to the rector that recommends and sets mission priorities, operating objectives, and policies for the 308-year old Episcopal parish and its numerous programs and outreach services. He will assume his new position and responsibilities July 1.
"We are thrilled that Carl has agreed to join our team and lend his extensive experience in New York City economic development and public real estate development to managing Trinity's real estate operations," said the Rev. Dr. James H. Cooper, Trinity-St. Paul's rector. "Carl has that rare combination of visionary leadership, skillful managerial experience, and a loving heart for New York City."
Cooper, installed as 17th rector of Trinity Church in fall, 2004, is leading an effort to build a program endowment, generated from real estate income, which will ensure the continuation of the ministries of the parish, fund new program initiatives targeted toward the revitalization of Lower Manhattan and expand the parish's grant making capacity, domestically and internationally.
"As we look to the opportunities involved in developing the Hudson Square portfolio as well as continue and enhance our real estate, community service programs and outreach ministries in Lower Manhattan, Carl offers invaluable skills to help us fulfill our mission objectives."
Weisbrod brings with him notable experience in leading city economic development efforts and civic affairs. He is the founding president and chief executive officer of the Downtown Alliance, a $15-million business improvement district (BID), the largest in the country, established in l995 to spearhead the revitalization of Lower Manhattan. The Downtown Alliance manages the fourth largest business district in the United States, comprising more than 80,000 square feet of office space, 300,000 workers, and 30,000 residents.
Prior to becoming the Downtown Alliance's president, Weisbrod was from 1990-1994 the founding president of the New York City Economic Development Corporation, the city's agent for economic development. Previously, for 15 years, he led the successful city and state efforts to transform the Times Square area. During that time, he was director of the Mayor's Office of Midtown Enforcement, executive director of the City Planning Commission and from 1987 to 1990, president of the New York State 42nd Street Development Project, the public authority implementing the $2.5 billion redevelopment project.
Weisbrod consults internationally on economic development matters and serves as adjunct professor at Columbia University's Graduate School of Architecture. He is a director of the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation, the Convention Center Development Corporation and a trustee of the Ford Foundation and NYU Downtown Hospital, among other organizations. He graduated from Cornell University and received a law degree from New York University's School of Law.
"I'm delighted to be joining Trinity Church-St. Paul's Chapel, one of the most distinguished institutions in New York City," said Weisbrod. "I look forward to working with Jim Cooper and his team on transforming the Hudson Square area and furthering the revitalization of Lower Manhattan."
Trinity-St. Paul's real estate portfolio results from a land grant made to the parish by Queen Anne of England in 1705. Today, the parish retains approximately eight percent of that original land grant, known as the Queen's Farm, with the current property located between Sixth Avenue, the Hudson River, and Canal and Morton Streets.
Trinity Parish, established in 1697 and consisting of Trinity Church and St. Paul's Chapel, has a diverse congregation drawn from the New York region and offers 18 worship services during the week as well as daily interdenominational prayers for peace at St. Paul's Chapel. The church and the chapel attract more than 1.8 million visitors annually.
The parish's outreach programs in lower Manhattan include John Heuss House, a 24-hour drop-in center; St. Margaret's House, government-supported housing for the elderly and disabled; full childcare services for children six months to five years in the financial district through Trinity Preschool and Nursery; a transitional men's shelter at St. Paul's Chapel; and an exhibit at St. Paul's Chapel, "Unwavering Spirit: Hope & Healing at Ground Zero" that focuses on its unique ministry to 9/11 workers during the recovery efforts at the former World Trade Center site.
In addition, it supports the Episcopal Church locally and the worldwide Anglican Communion through grants made by the Trinity Grants program, supporting social transformation in metropolitan New York, spiritual formation and development in the Episcopal Church, Anglican churches in the Global South, and the development of telecommunications throughout the Anglican Communion.
Trinity's web site, www.trinitywallstreet.org. is a premier resource throughout the Anglican Communion for faith formation, with weekly web casts of concerts, liturgy, and special events. The parish has a strong musical tradition, with a family choir, a professional choir with CD recording contracts, and a popular twice-weekly concert series.
For more information on Trinity Church-St. Paul's Chapel, go to www.trinitywallstreet.org.
