EDC executive vice president heads to Hudson River Park Trust

Madelyn Wils, executive vice president of the New York City Economic Development Corporation, is leaving her role at EDC to become president and chief executive of Hudson River Park Trust, a body that manages public lands along the river below 59th Street, according to the New York Times.

In her new position, Wils will be charged with increasing revenue from waterfront properties to fund the continued development of piers along the river. So far, the trust has spent approximately $400 million in development costs to revive maritime buildings and convert them into recreational spaces. Its managers are regularly frustrated with community oppositions to the projects, including at Pier 57, where they were forced to scrap various proposals.

At EDC, Wils was involved in the development of Seward Park on the Lower East Side and the relocation of auto repair facilities in and around Citi Field in Queens. She also helped plan the Sept. 11 memorial at Ground Zero.

Before starting in her new position, Wils will oversee the launch of a ferry service on the East River. [NYT]