August 7, 2015

Mayor Emanuel Announces Appointment of David L. Reifman to Be Next Commissioner of the Department of Planning and Development

Mayor's Press Office    312.744.3334

Mayor Rahm Emanuel on Friday named David L. Reifman as the City of Chicago’s next commissioner for the Department of Planning and Development, effective September 1, 2015. Mr. Reifman is currently a partner at DLA Piper in Chicago where he has spearheaded a variety of major economic development projects and large-scale planning initiatives throughout the city.

A native Chicagoan, Mr. Reifman specializes in zoning, land use planning, tax increment financing, historic preservation, and public-private partnerships.

“David Reifman brings a long career in complex development deals that combine community economic development, affordable housing development, job creation and neighborhood engagement,” Mayor Emanuel said. “He helped us bring the Method factory to Pullman, Whole Foods to Englewood, and Target to Uptown. We need to continue building on that momentum, and David is the person to make sure it happens.”

Mr. Reifman replaces Andrew Mooney, who recently retired after serving as commissioner for five years.

“I am honored by this appointment and I thank Mayor Emanuel for his trust and confidence in me,” Mr. Reifman said. “As a lifelong Chicagoan, I am looking forward to the challenges and opportunities this position represents to contribute to the growth and continued development of the city.”

Some of Mr. Reifman’s other projects include representing Unilever Manufacturing in seeking development expansion of its Hellman’s facility in Little Village; redevelopment of the Chicago Transit Authority’s Wilson Yard site, which now has a Target, Aldi, and affordable family and senior housing; redevelopment of the 200-acre Ryerson site in Pullman which includes Method, as well as additional space for neighborhood retail and commercial uses. He also represented the Chicago Cubs during the team’s renovation and expansion of historic Wrigley Field.

Mr. Reifman grew up in Rogers Park, attended Sullivan High School, and earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from University of Illinois. He received his law degree from Northwestern University School of Law.

 

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