Principals
Michael Dirzulaitis
Through an early career in the public sector, Michael Dirzulaitis compiled a sustained record of success in fostering public/private partnerships to spur real estate development, enhance public facilities and infrastructure and promote community renewal. As founder of the CommunEcon Group, Mr. Dirzulaitis extended his experience.
He was the Real Estate Advisor for the New York City Board of Education, helping that agency secure critical leases in the private sector and launch a reform of its real estate practices. With ddm development, he won one of the first approvals for the licensed operation and development of a 127-bed assisted living facility in New York City. He coordinated a $1B proposal by Nab Construction and Johnson Controls Inc. to finance, design, construct and maintain heating services in 165 public schools. He co-developed a 39,000-SF retail complex (Gateway Building) on East 125th Street. For the NYU Medical School, he coordinated the development of the proposal for a one million-SF biomedical park (East River Science Park) and its later implementation. He also advised el museo del barrio in its proposal to expand into the Museum of the City of New York building and the New York Botanical Garden in planning for new satellite facilities.
As senior vice president for the NYS Urban Development Corporation, Mr. Dirzulaitis oversaw key State-sponsored projects in the City and throughout the State. As senior vice president for the 42nd Street Development Project, Mr. Dirzulaitis managed real estate and financial transactions for the sponsor of the $4-Billion, 13-acre Midtown development. He coordinated the restructuring of the Prudential Insurance/Park Tower Realty development that paved the way for the Project's full development and public improvements.
As deputy commissioner of the City's Division of Real Property, Mr. Dirzulaitis oversaw site selection and capital planning services for 31 agencies and diverse programs for the management, sale and lease of surplus property. He managed the City's participation in complex developments, often conditioned on privately-managed improvements of public facilities or infrastructure, including: Americas Tower, Federal Foley Square project, Financial Square, Horizon, 931 First Avenue and 150 East 57th Street.
He is currently serving a wide roster of non-profit institutions and playing a critical role in planning numerous innovative public/private real estate developments.
An urban planner by training, Mr. Dirzulaitis attended NYU's Washington Square College and Graduate School of Public Administration.
Patricia Zedalis
Patricia Zedalis has extensive experience in real estate, planning, public infrastructure development and project management. Throughout her career, she has focused on real estate transactions in connection with public-private partnerships to promote economic and community development and on innovative approaches to public infrastructure development and renewal.
Since starting her consulting practice in 2001, her clients have primarily included not for profit organizations and governmental entities. Her assignments have focused on a broad range of development issues: a multi-year assignment as real estate advisor for the Hispanic Federation in its successful search for a new headquarters, facilities' advisor for the Campaign for Fiscal Equity and a multi-jurisdictional study of development issues in building schools for the Rockefeller Foundation. She is also special advisor to the Harrison Central School District coordinating the Districts $150 million plan to upgrade its 6 school buildings. She has previously worked with the CommunEcon Group on a number of projects including initiatives for the New York Mission Society and the New York Botanical Gardens.
Ms. Zedalis has had leadership roles in major public developments and capital projects in New York City, Connecticut and New Jersey. As Chief of Staff for New York City's Deputy Mayor for Finance and Economic Development she assisted in the retention and expansion of major corporations in New York City. As Chief Executive for the Division of School Facilities of the New York City Board of Education, Ms. Zedalis oversaw all aspects of school facility management, real estate operations and capital planning for the nations largest school system. She managed the development and implementation of multi-billion dollar capital plans, oversaw the siting of over 50,000 new school seats and restructured the Departments substantial leasing program.
As Executive Director of the 42nd Street Development Corporation, she spearheaded the widely hailed development of Theatre Row on West 42nd Street. Her work spanned the gamut of development activities: feasibility evaluation, site acquisition, design development, financial analysis and financial structuring, lease negotiation and owner representation.
Ms. Zedalis received her bachelor's degree from Fordham University and her master's degree from Queens College of the City University of New York.
