Former ESDC executive Laremont replacing former ESDC executive Lago at Department of City Planning/City Planning Commission

The Atlantic Yards cycle continues for the job of City Planning Commission Chair and Department of City Planning Director, with a former Empire State Development (Corporation) executive replacing a former ESDC executive. 

 Now that longtime CPC/DCP head Marisa Lago, a former ESDC head, has been named to a post (Undersecretary of Commerce for International Trade) with the U.S. Commerce Department, her deputy, Anita Laremont, was named to replace her--at least until the next mayor comes on. 

Laremont, as I wrote three years ago, was ESDC's longtime General Counsel, but her less than stellar record with Atlantic Yards was not mentioned in the press release back then. Nor was it mentioned in the new press release, below.

Back in 2018 we hosted Anita Laremont on What's The [Data] Point? It was a very interesting conversation about city planning, housing, etc: https://t.co/7iwSUF4rQR

— Ben Max (@TweetBenMax) September 23, 2021

The press release

Mayor de Blasio Names Anita Laremont as Chair of the City Planning Commission

September 23, 2021

NEW YORK—Mayor Bill de Blasio today appointed Anita Laremont as the next Chair of the City Planning Commission and Director of the Department of City Planning (DCP). Laremont, who has served as the Executive Director of the Department of City Planning since 2018, will begin her role immediately. Laremont succeeds outgoing chair Marisa Lago, who was tapped by the Biden Administration to join the U.S. Department of Commerce.

“Anita Laremont brings vision and experience to the City Planning Commission, and she will be a tireless fighter for more equitable, inclusive, and dynamic neighborhoods across the five boroughs,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “She has an extraordinary record of success at the Department of City Planning, and I know she will continue that legacy of service to her city in this new role.”

“Anita is one of the smartest, savviest, most dedicated public servants I’ve had the pleasure of working with,” said Vicki Been, Deputy Mayor of Housing and Economic Development. “New Yorkers are fortunate to have her at the helm as we move forward on key planning initiatives that will keep our city on a path to an equitable recovery for all.”

“I am honored to be named Chair of the City Planning Commission and Director of the Department of City Planning, where I lead teams of talented data, environmental, legal and tech experts, planners and urban designers, and so many others, as we continue the urgent work of bringing New York City back from this deadly pandemic. My deep appreciation goes to Mayor de Blasio, Deputy Mayor Vicki Been, my staff at DCP and my fellow commissioners, all of whom pour their heart and soul into advancing the twin goals of equity and sustainability for all New Yorkers,” said Anita Laremont.

Laremont first joined DCP as General Counsel in 2014. Before that, Laremont was a partner in the law firm of Harris Beach PLLC, where she had a real estate, land use and government agency practice. Laremont previously served for more than 16 years as General Counsel of the Empire State Development Corporation (ESDC), New York State’s primary economic development entity. While at ESDC, Laremont was involved with numerous large-scale economic development and land-use projects in New York City and throughout the state, including transformative projects such as the 42nd Street Development Project, Brooklyn Bridge Park and Governors Island.

Laremont has served as a Trustee of the Citizens Budget Commission, and as Co-Chair of its Economic Development Committee. She is a member of the Association of the Bar of the City of New York, the State Bar and the American Bar Association. Among a number of board affiliations, she currently serves as First Vice-Chair and Chair of the Development Committee at Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Gardens in Staten Island, where she resides.

Laremont is a magna cum laude graduate of Mount Holyoke College, and received her J.D. from the New York University School of Law, where she was a Root Tilden Scholar.

“As Chair of the Committee on Land Use, I have worked closely with both Marisa Lago, outgoing City Planning Commission (CPC) Chair, and Anita Laremont, the next Chair of CPC,” said Council Member Rafael Salamanca. 'Marisa Lago brought a plethora of experience in negotiating projects or legislation during our interactions. Always by her side providing valuable input; Anita Laremont. I congratulate Chair Laremont on her new appointment, and look forward to working with her in the years ahead.'”