Leading Downtown Brooklyn into a New Era: MaryAnne Gilmartin and Bre Pettis Appointed Co-Chairs of the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership Board
The Downtown Brooklyn Partnership today made a landmark announcement, revealing that two prominent figures, MaryAnne Gilmartin, then President and CEO of Forest City Ratner, and Bre Pettis, CEO of MakerBot, have been named co-chairs of the organization’s esteemed board. This pivotal appointment signals a new chapter for one of New York City’s most dynamic and rapidly evolving urban centers, poised for further innovation and strategic growth under their combined leadership. The news generated considerable excitement, anticipating a blend of deep urban development expertise and pioneering technological vision.
Tucker Reed, President of the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership at the time, expressed profound enthusiasm for the appointments in an official press release. “MaryAnne and Bre embody a new generation of Brooklyn entrepreneurs, and I am delighted that we’ll be able to tap into their experience and wisdom,” Reed stated. He further emphasized the unique contributions each leader brings to the board: “Nothing reflects innovation more than Bre’s ingenious MakerBot 3D Printing Ecosystem, and there’s no better example of a prominent CEO and company dedicated to innovation and to the continued success of the Downtown Brooklyn area than MaryAnne and Forest City Ratner Companies.” This sentiment underscores the strategic vision behind uniting leaders from both established urban development and cutting-edge technology sectors to propel Downtown Brooklyn forward.
A Visionary Partnership for Urban Evolution and Economic Growth
The selection of Gilmartin and Pettis as co-chairs represents a conscious and forward-thinking effort by the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership to bridge the gap between large-scale urban development and the burgeoning tech innovation scene. This powerful alliance is expected to inject fresh perspectives and unparalleled expertise into the organization’s mission of fostering sustained economic growth, promoting cultural vibrancy, and enhancing the overall quality of life in Downtown Brooklyn. Their leadership is anticipated to guide the district through its next phase of transformation, building upon its remarkable evolution from a primarily commercial hub to a thriving mixed-use community recognized for its innovation and opportunity.
This collaboration reflects a broader understanding that the future of successful urban centers lies in integrating physical infrastructure with digital advancement. The co-chair model allows the Partnership to leverage diverse skill sets, ensuring that Downtown Brooklyn remains at the forefront of both traditional development and new economic frontiers. The synergy between Gilmartin’s strategic foresight in urban planning and Pettis’s groundbreaking work in accessible technology promises a holistic approach to community and economic development, addressing the needs of businesses, residents, and visitors alike.
MaryAnne Gilmartin: A Pillar of Brooklyn’s Transformative Real Estate Landscape
MaryAnne Gilmartin’s career is synonymous with the revitalization and dynamic expansion of Brooklyn. As President and CEO of Forest City Ratner, a company that has significantly influenced New York City’s skyline and is now recognized as part of Brookfield Properties, she has been instrumental in shaping the borough’s economic and architectural landscape for decades. Her visionary leadership has overseen some of Brooklyn’s most ambitious and transformative projects, most notably the development of MetroTech Center. This sprawling office and academic complex played a pivotal role in catalyzing Downtown Brooklyn’s resurgence as a major business district, attracting numerous companies and educational institutions to the area.
Furthermore, Gilmartin played a critical role in the controversial but undeniably impactful Atlantic Yards project, which brought the iconic Barclays Center arena and significant residential and commercial development to the area now known as Pacific Park. Her tenure has been characterized by a deep understanding of complex urban planning, strategic vision, and an unwavering commitment to sustainable development. Her ability to navigate intricate development challenges, secure substantial investments, and forge strong community relationships has made her a revered and influential figure in New York City’s real estate sector. Her expertise extends beyond bricks and mortar; she is a vocal advocate for intelligent, inclusive growth that balances economic opportunity with community needs and environmental responsibility. Her presence on the board ensures that the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership will continue to pursue projects that are not only economically viable but also contribute positively to the urban fabric and long-term prosperity of the district, setting benchmarks for responsible urban development.
Bre Pettis: Pioneering the 3D Printing Revolution and Fostering Innovation
Bre Pettis, the charismatic co-founder and former CEO of MakerBot Industries, stands at the forefront of the technological innovation wave that has swept through Brooklyn and beyond. MakerBot revolutionized the manufacturing industry by making 3D printing accessible to consumers, small businesses, and educators, fundamentally changing how products are conceived and produced. Under Pettis’s visionary leadership, MakerBot transformed from a Brooklyn-based startup operating out of a workshop into a global leader in desktop 3D printing, empowering countless individuals to design, prototype, and create physical objects with unprecedented ease. His work democratized an advanced technology, fostering a new generation of inventors, designers, and entrepreneurs who could turn digital ideas into tangible realities.
Pettis embodies the spirit of Brooklyn’s burgeoning tech scene—a vibrant blend of creativity, entrepreneurial drive, and a passion for making things happen. His innovative approach to business, coupled with a strong emphasis on community building and open-source principles, resonates deeply with the aspirations of a modern urban center like Downtown Brooklyn. His involvement with the Partnership will undoubtedly inspire initiatives that support tech startups, foster digital literacy across all age groups, and strategically position Downtown Brooklyn as a leading hub for technological advancement, creative industries, and future-proof economic development. The “MakerBot 3D Printing Ecosystem” mentioned by Reed is not merely a product line but represents a philosophy of empowering individuals through accessible technology, a philosophy that can profoundly benefit urban development strategies by encouraging local innovation and entrepreneurship.
Downtown Brooklyn Partnership: A Catalyst for Sustained Progress
The Downtown Brooklyn Partnership is a not-for-profit local development corporation dedicated to making Downtown Brooklyn a world-class business district, a vibrant residential community, and a premier destination for arts and culture. For many years, the DBP has been instrumental in orchestrating the remarkable transformation of the area from a sleepy commercial zone to a dynamic, 24/7 neighborhood. Its initiatives span a wide range of activities, from crucial public realm improvements, such as the maintenance and beautification of plazas and parks, to advocating for critical infrastructure upgrades, and attracting new businesses and residents. The DBP acts as a vital convener, bringing together diverse stakeholders from government, the business community, and local residents to achieve shared goals for the district’s prosperity.
The organization’s strategic planning and tireless advocacy efforts have played a significant role in solidifying Downtown Brooklyn’s status as a premier location for tech companies, leading educational institutions, and a burgeoning creative class. By ensuring a supportive environment for innovation and growth, the DBP has contributed to the creation of thousands of new jobs, attracted significant private investment, and facilitated a dramatic increase in the district’s residential population, making it one of the fastest-growing neighborhoods in New York City. The appointment of Gilmartin and Pettis underscores the DBP’s continued commitment to dynamic leadership and a forward-thinking approach to urban development, ensuring that Downtown Brooklyn remains at the cutting edge of urban progress and continues to serve as a model for successful urban revitalization.
The Synergy of Real Estate and Technology: Paving the Future of Brooklyn
The combined expertise of MaryAnne Gilmartin in large-scale urban development and Bre Pettis in technological innovation creates a powerful and unique synergy for the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership. This innovative combination allows the board to address the complex challenges and seize the myriad opportunities facing a rapidly developing urban core from multiple, integrated angles. Gilmartin’s strategic prowess in navigating the intricacies of real estate development, zoning regulations, and successful public-private partnerships will provide a solid foundation for ambitious physical transformations and sustained infrastructure improvements. Concurrently, Pettis’s keen insight into emerging technologies, the dynamics of digital economies, and the cultivation of robust entrepreneurial ecosystems will ensure that Downtown Brooklyn remains competitive and highly attractive to the industries of tomorrow.
Together, they are perfectly positioned to champion initiatives that might include the creation of new tech incubators and accelerators, the development of smart city infrastructure that improves urban living, or the seamless integration of cutting-edge design and sustainable practices into new construction projects. Their leadership embodies the idea that successful urban centers in the 21st century must seamlessly blend robust physical infrastructure with dynamic digital innovation. This appointment signals a deliberate strategic move towards fostering an environment where traditional businesses can not only thrive but also innovate alongside groundbreaking startups, thereby creating a diverse, resilient, and future-ready economic landscape for Downtown Brooklyn.
Brooklyn’s New Generation of Entrepreneurs: A Hub of Creativity and Enduring Growth
Tucker Reed’s remark about Gilmartin and Pettis embodying “a new generation of Brooklyn entrepreneurs” is particularly insightful and encapsulates a significant shift in Brooklyn’s identity—from a historic industrial borough to a hotbed of diverse and dynamic entrepreneurial talent. This new generation of leaders is characterized by a shared willingness to challenge conventions, eagerly embrace technological advancements, and prioritize community impact and social responsibility alongside traditional economic success. Gilmartin, through her extensive work with Forest City Ratner, demonstrated how meticulously planned, large-scale development could profoundly transform an urban core, creating jobs and opportunity. Meanwhile, Pettis exemplified how a local startup with a disruptive idea could achieve global impact through innovative technology and a community-centric approach.
Downtown Brooklyn, under their combined and visionary guidance, is set to further solidify its already strong reputation as an innovation hub where creativity flourishes, groundbreaking ideas are brought to life, and future-shaping industries are nurtured. Their complementary vision will ensure that the district not only attracts top talent and innovative businesses but also actively nurtures them, provides robust resources for burgeoning businesses, and cultivates an environment where both established, multinational companies and agile, innovative startups can succeed in harmony. This sustained focus on nurturing a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem is absolutely crucial for achieving and maintaining long-term economic vitality, creating diverse job opportunities, and ensuring continued prosperity in a rapidly changing global economy.
Looking Ahead: A Brighter, More Innovative Future for Downtown Brooklyn
The appointment of MaryAnne Gilmartin and Bre Pettis as co-chairs of the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership board marks a truly significant moment for the district and its future trajectory. Their proven track records of exceptional leadership, groundbreaking innovation, and unwavering commitment to Brooklyn’s progress make them ideal candidates to steer the organization through its next, exciting phase of development. With a powerful blend of extensive real estate experience and pioneering technological insight, they are perfectly poised to enhance Downtown Brooklyn’s standing as a vibrant, innovative, and economically robust urban center, a true beacon of urban success in New York City and beyond. The entire community eagerly anticipates the transformative initiatives and strategic direction that will undoubtedly emerge under their collaborative and inspiring leadership, promising a future where Downtown Brooklyn continues to shine as a leading example of progressive urban development and innovation.