During the May 28, 2026 AYCDC meeting, Director Ronald Shiffman formally requested that Empire State Development commission a qualitative evaluation of the Atlantic Yards development plan to complement the existing quantitative, fiscal analysis. He specified a need for a comprehensive study of the physical layout and design, the type of community character the project will foster, and the broader social and environmental implications of the development. Chair Daniel Kummer responded that the Board would have an opportunity to review the development plan in a way that incorporates these qualitative elements, and emphasized that upcoming presentations would not be purely financial, though no consultant or scope was yet defined.This indicates an emerging pre‑RFP need for planning, urban design, social impact, and environmental advisory services to conduct or support this qualitative evaluation alongside the formal Environmental Impact Statement and financial work. Firms specializing in urban design charrettes, social impact assessment, and community character studies can engage ESD and Board members now around how such an evaluation should be structured and delivered.

The qualitative study is not yet approved or scoped; it currently exists as a Board member request that ESD staff acknowledged in concept but did not translate into a specific procurement plan.