As a founding principal of the firm, Abigail Ferretti focuses on managing the firm’s urban practice with an emphasis on revitalizing older communities. In all her work, she dedicates herself to finding the best available data that accurately portray current and potential development. She uses GIS extensively to inform the analyses of existing conditions, competitive projects and opportunities for new development. This relentless pursuit of actual data to build sound conclusions serves as a guiding principle for all PES projects.
With more than 13 years of experience managing small and large redevelopment projects, Abigail is fully versed in a variety of approaches and strategies. Beginning with her work with streetscape and small business loans in Baltimore County business districts, she has extended her experience to include such commercial corridors as Washington, DC’s Georgia Avenue and Rhode Island Avenue, US Route 1 between Washington and Baltimore, and US 40 in Howard County, MD. In both urban and suburban business districts, her detailed analysis provides invaluable input to crafting realistic redevelopment plans that can succeed within the local market.
While with another consulting firm, Abigail prepared a detailed review of potential funding mechanisms for the capital improvements recommended for the Central Avenue Corridor in Prince George’s County. She analyzed the tools used in Maryland and other jurisdictions to fund road, streetscaping, schools and other public investments. That analysis included review of State law authorizing or constraining their use in Maryland. Based on this research, she recommended a capital improvements financing strategy for the corridor.
Abigail served as the economic consultant on a multi-disciplinary team, while working with another consulting firm, to develop a detailed plan for the Georgia Avenue corridor north from Howard University to Decatur Street, N.W, focusing on the catalytic Metro station redevelopment to upgrade the corridor. Her work included financial pro forma analyses for proposed mixed-use developments along the corridor.
Abigail analyzes development projects’ financial performance to determine the need for public investment and the potential return available in return for that public support. In Arlington County, VA, her financial analysis demonstrated the feasibility of developer inclusion of affordable housing in return for additional project density.
With the Maryland Department of Transportation, Abigail has worked extensively in evaluating opportunities and planning for redevelopment in transit station areas, particularly commuter rail stations that offer access to downtown Washington and Baltimore. In this work, Abigail helped communities understand and leverage the public resources (including not only land but funding opportunities) to support redevelopment.
She works closely with stakeholders to understand their views, interests, concerns and resources so as to forge consensus on the plan and the implementation strategies. She is particularly skilled in helping community members and other stakeholders to understand market opportunities and constraints so that the plans are market-based and realistic. Abigail excels in public speaking and working with large groups to respond to questions and educate stakeholders at large about the economic realities of the project and environment.
In her previous position with Baltimore County Department of Economic Development, Abigail worked extensively with the County’s small business assistance programs. Initially her work included technical assistance for the Chief Financial Officer, working closely with the small business loan fund committee. As a Revitalization Specialist, she focused on aiding the redevelopment of commercial revitalization corridors.