{ "name": "Jackson LaSarso", "url": "https://lasarso.com/", "updated": "2026-10-19", "occupation": "Community Planner", "location": "Upstate New York", "biography": [ "I'm a city planner in upstate New York, working on housing, economic development, and public investment. These questions often meet in the same project: a plan to reuse a building may depend on the water system serving it, while a proposal for a park needs to account for benefits that don't appear in its operating budget.", "At Saratoga Associates, I work on economic studies, funding proposals, and project administration. My work has included analysis and mapping for the Schenectady parks study and an assessment of the Tupper Lake Memorial Civic Center. Once a project is funded, I coordinate with municipal staff, engineers, and funding agencies on procurement, budgets, and reimbursement.", "Before joining Saratoga Associates, I worked at Smith & Roller in Philadelphia, testing housing scenarios and comparing financing proposals. I also worked in freight and transit planning for the Orange County Transportation Council (OCTC) and served on Queensbury's Planning Board and as a Zoning Board of Appeals alternate.", "I studied planning at UAlbany and Penn, concentrating on Public and Private Development at Penn. I now teach Environmental Planning and GIS Project Management at UAlbany and develop Albany Grave Finder with the Albany Rural Cemetery Explorer collaboration." ], "currentWork": [ "At Saratoga Associates, I'm working with communities in upstate New York on housing, economic development, and public facilities. That work includes economic studies, funding proposals, and administration of waterfront improvements.", "I also teach Environmental Planning and GIS Project Management at UAlbany and develop Albany Grave Finder. The application connects cemetery records to a map people can use while visiting the grounds.", "On October 15, I co-presented Return to the River at the APA New York Upstate Chapter Annual Conference in Albany. The session examined waterfront resilience, brownfield revitalization, and reconnection in Amsterdam, New York." ], "links": [ { "label": "APA profile", "url": "https://www.planning.org/profile/jackson/" }, { "label": "LinkedIn", "url": "https://www.linkedin.com/in/lasarso/" }, { "label": "GitHub", "url": "https://github.com/LaSarsoJackson" }, { "label": "Substack", "url": "https://lasarso.substack.com/" }, { "label": "X", "url": "https://x.com/LaSarso" } ], "education": [ { "organization": "University of Pennsylvania", "year": 2024, "degree": "Master of City Planning", "details": [ "Stuart Weitzman School of Design", "Concentration in Public and Private Development", "Certificate in Real Estate Design and Development" ] }, { "organization": "University at Albany, SUNY", "year": 2022, "degree": "Bachelor of Arts in Urban Studies and Planning", "details": [ "Minor in Public Policy" ] } ], "experience": [ { "organization": "Saratoga Associates", "role": "Community Planner · Saratoga Springs, New York", "dates": "May 2024–present", "current": true, "startYear": 2024, "endYear": null, "contribution": [ "Prepare economic impact and significance studies, including the Schenectady parks report and the Tupper Lake Memorial Civic Center assessment. Prepare analyses, maps, reports, and presentations for public officials.", "Develop housing, downtown, and waterfront funding proposals, including narratives, maps, and supporting materials for the joint Urbana and Hammondsport NY Forward applications.", "Coordinate funded projects through work plans, procurement, budgets, reporting, and reimbursement. Work with municipal staff, engineers, and funding agencies on implementation.", "Prepare terrain and visibility analysis, scenic resource inventories, and field documentation for planning and environmental review." ], "url": "https://lasarso.com/about#career-2" }, { "organization": "University at Albany", "role": "Adjunct Professor · Albany, New York", "dates": "January 2025–present", "current": true, "startYear": 2025, "endYear": null, "contribution": [ "Teach Environmental Planning and GIS Project Management, drawing on municipal consulting and geospatial analysis.", "Develop workshops and assignments around environmental review, GIS analysis, and municipal planning projects." ], "url": "https://lasarso.com/about#career-1" }, { "organization": "Smith & Roller", "role": "Real Estate Analyst · Philadelphia, Pennsylvania", "dates": "December 2022–May 2024", "current": false, "startYear": 2022, "endYear": 2024, "contribution": [ "Compared New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) financing proposals, including upfront fees, ongoing costs, and repayment obligations.", "Updated development pro formas and sensitivity models to test affordability and unit-mix scenarios alongside debt, equity, operating projections, and tax-abatement assumptions.", "Prepared Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) and NMTC application materials, including project narratives, budgets, schedules, and supporting documents.", "Coordinated design-development drawings, construction estimates, application corrections, and required disclosure forms with architects, contractors, attorneys, and public agencies.", "Prepared lender, investor, and tenant materials. Documented meeting decisions and follow-up responsibilities, and tracked outstanding information." ], "url": "https://lasarso.com/about#career-3" }, { "organization": "University of Pennsylvania", "role": "Teaching Assistant, Introduction to Property Development · Philadelphia, Pennsylvania", "dates": "Fall 2023", "current": false, "startYear": 2023, "endYear": 2023, "contribution": [ "Served as teaching assistant for Introduction to Property Development." ], "url": "https://lasarso.com/about#career-4" }, { "organization": "University at Albany", "role": "GIS development and research · Department of Geography and Planning", "dates": "November 2021–August 2022", "current": false, "startYear": 2021, "endYear": 2022, "contribution": [ "Developed maps, burial search, tours, and mobile navigation for Albany Rural Cemetery Explorer in collaboration with faculty and cemetery staff.", "Prepared and maintained the geographic data used by the application." ], "url": "https://lasarso.com/about#career-5" }, { "organization": "Orange County Planning Department", "role": "Transportation Planning Intern · Goshen, New York", "dates": "June–August 2021", "current": false, "startYear": 2021, "endYear": 2021, "contribution": [ "Prepared maps, transit planning materials, public participation documents, and meeting minutes for the Orange County Transportation Council (OCTC) and Transit Orange.", "Analyzed freight production, consumption, and movement across the Mid-Hudson Valley Transportation Management Area using GIS and IHS Transearch data.", "Contributed to documentation on transit access, environmental justice, language access, and ADA paratransit." ], "url": "https://lasarso.com/about#career-6" } ], "publicService": "I served on the Town of Queensbury Planning Board and as an alternate on its Zoning Board of Appeals. I also conducted research with the Warren County Historical Society and contributed to The Post-Star's editorial board.", "presentations": [ { "date": "October 2024", "venue": "APA New York Upstate Chapter Annual Conference", "topic": "Co-presenter on grant stacking and rural downtown and waterfront revitalization." }, { "date": "November 6, 2024", "venue": "Hammondsport Chamber of Commerce", "topic": "Presenter with the project team on partnerships and revitalization." }, { "date": "November 8, 2024", "venue": "World Town Planning Day", "topic": "Presenter, Pro-Housing Communities in Rural America." }, { "date": "December 10, 2024", "venue": "Capital Region Parks and Recreation Association", "topic": "Guest speaker, Recreation Grants: What You Need to Know." }, { "date": "April 7, 2025", "venue": "Schenectady City Council", "topic": "Co-presenter, Schenectady Parks Economic Impact Report." }, { "date": "May 29, 2025", "venue": "New York Conference of Mayors Annual Meeting", "topic": "Co-presenter on the economic contribution of city parks." }, { "date": "October 9, 2025", "venue": "APA New York Upstate Chapter Annual Conference", "topic": "Co-presenter, Pedal Power and Park Value." }, { "date": "February 3, 2026", "venue": "Capital Region Parks and Recreation Association", "topic": "Co-presenter, Recreation Grants: Winning Strategies for Parks and Trails." }, { "date": "February 11, 2026", "venue": "Saratoga County Planning and Zoning Conference", "topic": "Lead presenter and panel moderator on recreational resources in planning and zoning review." }, { "date": "February 16, 2026", "venue": "New York Association of Towns", "topic": "Co-presenter, The Economic Power of Parks: A Case Study from Schenectady." }, { "date": "October 15, 2026", "venue": "APA New York Upstate Chapter Annual Conference, Albany", "topic": "Co-presenter, Return to the River: Waterfront Resilience, Brownfield Revitalization & Reconnection. A case study of Amsterdam, New York.", "url": "https://return-to-the-river-live.lasarsojackson.workers.dev/" } ], "projects": [ { "title": "Schenectady’s parks", "url": "https://lasarso.com/work/parks-and-civic-facilities", "context": "Schenectady, New York · 2025", "summary": "Examining what Schenectady's parks contribute to the city, from recreation and economic activity to the cooling effect of tree cover.", "role": "Community Planner · Saratoga Associates", "description": [ "A park appears in a city budget as an expense, but its contribution extends beyond the services the city pays to provide. People use it for recreation, visitors spend money nearby, and tree cover changes the surrounding environment. The Schenectady Parks Economic Impact Report examined those contributions together.", "I worked on the economic analysis, surface-temperature mapping, graphics, and report at Saratoga Associates. We examined spending associated with park operations alongside recreation value, environmental benefits, and the relationship between parks and surrounding property. The measures describe different contributions to the city; they should not be treated as interchangeable.", "The temperature map compared surface-temperature samples from summer 2023 and 2024 with the city's parks. It shows the contrast between tree-covered parkland and hotter developed areas.", "I helped present the findings to municipal and professional audiences, including Schenectady City Council and the New York Conference of Mayors. The city published the team report in March 2025." ], "sources": [ { "title": "Schenectady City Parks Economic Impact Report", "url": "https://www.cityofschenectady.gov/DocumentCenter/View/5465/Schenectady-Parks-Economic-Impact-Report", "publisher": "City of Schenectady", "date": "March 2025", "credit": "Project report · Saratoga Associates" } ] }, { "title": "Housing & real estate finance", "url": "https://lasarso.com/work/real-estate-analysis", "context": "Philadelphia, Pennsylvania · 2022–2024", "summary": "Affordability scenarios, development pro formas, and public funding at Smith & Roller.", "role": "Real Estate Analyst · Philadelphia, Pennsylvania", "description": [ "At Smith & Roller, I worked on the financial analysis and project coordination behind mixed-use housing, industrial redevelopment, and cultural facilities in Philadelphia.", "On housing projects, I used development pro formas and sensitivity models to examine how changes in affordability and unit mix affected financing options. I also compared New Markets Tax Credit proposals, including upfront fees, ongoing costs, and repayment obligations.", "I followed up with architects on design-development drawings needed for contractor RFPs, assembled application documents, and incorporated revisions to project costs and schedules. After meetings, I kept track of decisions, follow-up responsibilities, and outstanding documents." ], "sources": [] }, { "title": "Albany Grave Finder", "url": "https://lasarso.com/work/albany-rural-cemetery", "context": "Menands, New York", "summary": "Burial search, tours, and mobile navigation for Albany Rural Cemetery.", "role": "Lead developer and maintainer", "description": [ "Albany Grave Finder connects cemetery records to a map visitors can use on the grounds. A person can search for a burial, locate the relevant section, and explore tours through the same application.", "I develop and maintain the application as part of the University at Albany's Albany Rural Cemetery Explorer collaboration. The work includes preparing geographic data, building the search and map interface, and making it usable on a phone while walking through the cemetery." ], "sources": [ { "label": "Visit Albany Rural Cemetery Explorer", "url": "https://www.albany.edu/arce/" }, { "label": "Albany Grave Finder on the App Store", "url": "https://apps.apple.com/us/app/albany-grave-finder/id6746413050" }, { "title": "Albany Rural Cemetery Explorer and Grave Finder", "url": "https://suny.technologypublisher.com/tech/Albany_Rural_Cemetery_Explorer_and_Grave_Finder_(Apps)", "publisher": "The Research Foundation for SUNY", "credit": "Developed with Rui Li, Kurt Swartz, and James Billings" } ] }, { "title": "Urbana & Hammondsport", "url": "https://lasarso.com/work/downtowns-and-waterfronts", "context": "Keuka Lake, New York", "summary": "I helped prepare the joint NY Forward applications for Urbana and Hammondsport, which received a $4.5 million award in 2024.", "role": "Community Planner · Saratoga Associates", "description": [ "I helped prepare the joint NY Forward applications for Urbana and Hammondsport, including narratives, maps, and supporting materials. The communities received a $4.5 million award in 2024, with selected projects announced in 2025.", "My work has also included grant administration for waterfront improvements at Champlin Beach. I prepare work plans, procurement documents, budgets, and reimbursement records, and coordinate with the municipality and funding agencies." ], "sources": [ { "label": "New York State’s project announcement", "url": "https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-hochul-announces-31-transformational-projects-southern-tier-part-downtown" } ] }, { "title": "Tupper Lake Memorial Civic Center", "url": "https://lasarso.com/work/tupper-lake-civic-center", "context": "Tupper Lake, New York · 2025", "summary": "An assessment of visitation, economic contribution, and options for year-round use.", "role": "Community Planner · Saratoga Associates", "description": [ "The Tupper Lake Memorial Civic Center study examined what the facility contributes to the community and how it might be used throughout the year.", "To assess options for year-round use, I analyzed visitation and event data, developed an operating-calendar model, and compared peer facilities and funding arrangements. With the project team, I also examined ownership history and governance options as part of the recommendations for future operations and investment.", "I presented the assessment to the school district's Board of Education in November 2025. The Adirondack Daily Enterprise covered the findings and the discussion." ], "sources": [ { "title": "Study: TL Civic Center draws 5x economic value than it costs", "url": "https://www.adirondackdailyenterprise.com/news/local-news/2025/11/study-tl-civic-center-draws-5x-economic-value-than-it-costs/", "publisher": "Adirondack Daily Enterprise", "date": "November 10, 2025", "credit": "By Chris Gaige" } ] }, { "title": "Maps & spatial analysis", "url": "https://lasarso.com/work/maps-and-spatial-analysis", "context": "Planning & environmental review", "summary": "Terrain, visibility, and field documentation for planning and environmental review.", "role": "Planner and GIS analyst", "description": [ "A viewshed can tell us where terrain allows a proposed facility to be seen. Understanding how it would appear from a road, a home, or a public viewpoint takes more context. My work brings elevation data together with scenic resource inventories and field photography for energy, transmission, and telecommunications projects.", "I prepare LiDAR and elevation data, conduct viewshed and cumulative visibility analyses, and document conditions at observation points for environmental review. Field observations help explain what the modeled visibility means at each location.", "I also develop tools for recurring data preparation and analysis, including locating elevation tiles and processing terrain data across multiple project areas." ], "sources": [] }, { "title": "Transportation & transit", "url": "https://lasarso.com/work/transportation-and-transit", "context": "Mid-Hudson Valley, New York · 2021", "summary": "Freight analysis, transit access, and public participation for OCTC and Transit Orange.", "role": "Transportation Planning Intern · Goshen, New York", "description": [ "My transportation work at the Orange County Planning Department covered both regional goods movement and access to transit. Freight analysis examined production, consumption, and movement across Dutchess, Ulster, and Orange Counties. I also contributed to documentation on transit access, environmental justice, language access, and ADA paratransit." ], "sources": [ { "label": "Orange County Transportation Council", "url": "https://www.orangecountyny.gov/961/Transportation-Council" } ] }, { "title": "Environmental Planning", "url": "https://lasarso.com/work/environmental-planning", "context": "University at Albany", "summary": "Environmental review and planning decisions, taught at the University at Albany.", "role": "Instructor · University at Albany", "description": [ "I teach Environmental Planning at UAlbany, drawing on the environmental review work I do at Saratoga Associates. The course covers visual resources, wetlands, and public participation through case studies, GIS, and field work." ], "sources": [] }, { "title": "GIS Project Management", "url": "https://lasarso.com/work/gis-project-management", "context": "University at Albany", "summary": "Scoping, managing, and delivering a GIS project, taught at the University at Albany.", "role": "Instructor · University at Albany", "description": [ "I teach GIS Project Management at UAlbany. Students work through a project from the initial question to data collection, analysis, and presentation, making decisions about scope and how to organize the work along the way." ], "sources": [] } ], "publications": [ { "title": "Schenectady City Parks Economic Impact Report", "url": "https://www.cityofschenectady.gov/DocumentCenter/View/5465/Schenectady-Parks-Economic-Impact-Report", "publisher": "City of Schenectady", "date": "March 2025", "credit": "Project report · Saratoga Associates", "description": "The published study of Schenectady's municipal parks. My work included analysis, report writing, and presentations on the findings." }, { "title": "Study: TL Civic Center draws 5x economic value than it costs", "url": "https://www.adirondackdailyenterprise.com/news/local-news/2025/11/study-tl-civic-center-draws-5x-economic-value-than-it-costs/", "publisher": "Adirondack Daily Enterprise", "date": "November 10, 2025", "credit": "By Chris Gaige", "description": "Coverage of the Tupper Lake Memorial Civic Center assessment and my presentation to the school district's Board of Education." }, { "title": "Albany Rural Cemetery Explorer and Grave Finder", "url": "https://suny.technologypublisher.com/tech/Albany_Rural_Cemetery_Explorer_and_Grave_Finder_(Apps)", "publisher": "The Research Foundation for SUNY", "credit": "Developed with Rui Li, Kurt Swartz, and James Billings", "description": "" }, { "title": "Fueling Growth of New York Craft Beverages: Introducing the Craft Beverage Micro Grant Program", "url": "https://newyorkcraftbeer.com/2023/06/fueling-growth-of-new-york-craft-beverages-introducing-the-craft-beverage-micro-grant-program/", "publisher": "New York State Brewers Association", "date": "June 9, 2023", "credit": "Coauthor · with Paul Leone", "description": "An article introducing the state's craft beverage grant program and its application process when it launched in 2023." }, { "title": "Editorial: Getting information on Glens Falls air quality may prove elusive", "url": "https://poststar.com/opinion/editorial/article_f2c6ff58-68c5-59f0-9dc0-82cfb357ebee.html", "publisher": "The Post-Star", "date": "January 13, 2019", "credit": "Editorial board" }, { "title": "Editorial: Gov. Cuomo should fund Lake George plant", "url": "https://poststar.com/opinion/editorial/article_52b4e1cf-06e4-5809-a857-f663ac646d6d.html", "publisher": "The Post-Star", "date": "January 11, 2019", "credit": "Editorial board" }, { "title": "From the editor: Welcome our first teen editorial board member", "url": "https://poststar.com/opinion/columnists/article_e9c26430-a2ea-53b0-a734-c25a879b58c8.html", "publisher": "The Post-Star", "date": "November 25, 2018", "credit": "By Kenneth Tingley", "description": "The editor's introduction when I joined the newspaper's editorial board." } ] }