New York Blood Center Expansion Peer Review

Urbanomics prepared a peer review of HR&A’s March 2021 Proximity Study Memorandum which evaluated the advantages of proximity and colocation in the life sciences sector relative to the proposed mid-block rezoning of the NY Blood Center site at 310 East 67th Street. The scope of the review focused not on the importance of the life sciences sector to New York City, nor the value of geographic clustering of industries but rather on the definition of “proximity” in successful clusters; whether geographic proximity has maintained its importance, as evidenced by global pandemic collaboration; and, the specific importance of the proposed Blood Center expansion to the development of the sector.

As part of the scope, Urbanomics reviewed academic source material used in the HR&A study, prepared a profile of New York City’s life sciences cluster, evaluated real estate trends in life sciences clusters in Cambridge, MA, San Francisco, CA, New York City, and other major clusters the United States. Additionally, Urbanomics worked with experts in the field to prepare an evaluation of the current state of global and virtual medical research.