Meatpacking Business Improvement District Appoints New Executive Director

NEW YORK CITY—The Meatpacking Business Improvement District has appointed Jeffery LeFrancois as its new executive director. He has replaced Lauren Danziger who left to become the chief marketing officer of Industry City. Previously he was the director of operations and community affairs for the Meatpacking BID and its predecessor, the Meatpacking Improvement Association.

In his new role, LeFrancois will work with property owners, retail and restaurant establishments, elected officials, residents, and city agencies to ensure the Meatpacking District remains an economically and culturally thriving neighborhood destination.

“The success of the Meatpacking District BID is based on our commitment to support the local business community and to keep the area clean, safe and beautiful for locals and visitors alike,” says Jonathan Iger, chair of the Meatpacking BID board of directors and CEO of William Kaufman Organization/Sage Realty Corporation. Endorsing LeFrancois’ advocacy and leadership skills, he notes the district is entering a new phase of economic development.

“From the Whitney Museum’s return downtown, the continued development of the High Line, and New York’s newest face of retail taking shape right here, the neighborhood has undergone an incredible transformation over the years, which has brought a new light to the district along with a fresh cadre of visitors,” says LeFrancois.

The Whitney Museum of American Art’s director Adam Weinberg notes, “Since the Whitney’s return downtown, Jeffrey has been a remarkable friend to the museum, and the neighborhood at large. His passion for and sensitivity to our community make him an ideal fit as executive director of the Meatpacking BID.”

LeFrancois will continue to advocate for businesses, residents and property owners during the reconstruction of the area’s public plazas. This project will provide 20,000 square feet of public space along Ninth Avenue and Gansevoort Street. The plazas are scheduled to reopen this year.

Carley Graham Garcia, head of external affairs for Google NYC, and the Meatpacking BID’s second executive vice chair, also backs LeFrancois. Noting her anticipation of the public plazas she adds, “Jeffrey is uniquely positioned to help us leverage all of the transformational projects in the district.”

Since joining the organization in 2015, LeFrancois oversaw the sanitation, landscaping, and public safety teams, managed the public spaces with the city’s DOT plaza program, and represented the BID to the community, the city and elected officials. This included gathering support to bring ferry service to the West Side, which is an ongoing effort. 

Prior to his work for the BID, LeFrancois was chief of staff to then New York City council member Corey Johnson, who is now city council speaker. LeFrancois also served as deputy chief of staff for assembly member Richard Gottfried.

The Meatpacking District comprises more than 7 million square feet of retail and office space, 1,054 hotel rooms, and over 2,500 residential units. Its attractions include Chelsea Market, the Whitney Museum, the High Line, fashion and technology headquarters, including Theory and Google, and restaurants run by well known chefs and restaurant groups.

Last year, Starbuck’s 23,000 square foot Reserve Roastery, Restoration Hardware’s five-story flagship, and Lexus’s lifestyle brand, Intersect, opened in the district. This year, Hermes, Pastis, Dean & DeLuca and Genesis are expected to join the neighborhood.