Former Empire State Development Head Named To Lead City Planning

The new head of the NYC Department of City Planning director is a familiar face to the New York development community: former Empire State Development Corp CEO Marisa Lago.

Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Lago would replace outgoing City Planning head Carl Weisbrod when Weisbrod leaves his post next month, calling the transition "a bittersweet moment." Lago, who serves as the assistant secretary for international markets and development at the US Department of the Treasury, will also fill Weisbrod's seat as the chair of the city's Planning Commission.

Weisbrod will take over as chair of the Trust for Governors Island as the organization pushes forward on redevelopment and preservation plans for one of the city's largest open spaces.

Lago has also served as commissioner of the state Department of Economic Development and director of the Boston Redevelopment Authority, and worked under Weisbrod as his general counsel when he was president of the NYC Economic Development Corp. She's a 61-year-old Brooklyn native and a grad of Cooper Union and Harvard Law School.

“Change is the one constant in New York, and it is never easy," Lago said in a release. "I’ve had the privilege of learning how to make change work for people and businesses by watching leaders like Carl Weisbrod, and I have spent my entire career finding smart solutions to the tough problems that come with a growing, changing world. We can and we will keep our neighborhoods affordable, our economy competitive, our businesses thriving and our communities strong.”

Continue reading this story with a free account

Log in or register
Sign up for more articles like this
Subscribe to Bisnow's New York Newsletters
Related Stories

UK Budget Risks Deterring Sovereign Wealth Funds From Real Estate

RXR Marketing Executive Lauren Maturo Dies At 32

Weil Gotshal Wind-Down Leaves 830K SF Hole In America's Office Market

Meet Bisnow's 2026 New York Power Women Honorees

Related, Oxford Land Tenant For Top Floors Of 70 Hudson Yards

BXP Execs See Better Returns In Building Offices Than Buying Them

$60B Fintech Ramp Inks Huge Expansion In Flatiron: The N.Y. Deal Sheet

As The Future Of The Office Continues To Evolve, WeWork Is Bringing Clients A Tailored Workplace Solution

Cushman & Wakefield, NYC Added To Suit Alleging $250K Agency Lease Shakedown

Bouwinvest, Tishman Speyer Launch U.S. Office Venture With Chrysler Building As Debut Deal

NYC's All-Electric Building Push Created A Heat-Billing Puzzle. The LFG Split Utility Panel Could Solve It

COPA Passes City Council, Heads To Mamdani's Desk