David Kramer.
David Kramer
President at Hudson Companies
How much longer can this go on?
The mandates are going to slowly boost our [vaccination] numbers, the delta variant has already peaked and New Year’s Day will be the new Labor Day.
What does normal look like?
It looks a lot like today except with more people comfortably working in the city.
If you could go back in time to March of 2020, what’s the first thing you would do?
Tell the governor not to send COVID-positive seniors into nursing homes. Send them to the boat! Send them to Javits! That would have avoided countless tragedies.
What do you do now that you never did before 2020?
Answer a Commercial Observer questionnaire that doesn’t have any real estate questions. Speaking of real estate, we’re limiting our exposure to retail and office. And I’m playing pickleball.
What’s the biggest threat to the return to normal?
The idiots.
Is now the time to buy or sell?
Oh, wait, a real estate question! We’re primarily buyers right now, although truthfully, we’re rarely sellers anytime. But most of our buildings aren’t yet in the type of presentation shape — high rents, low vacancies — which would make them appealing assets. They’re getting there.
Suddenly, there’s a big change to the New York state constitution and you’re now named the 58th governor of the Empire State — what do you do about the eviction moratorium?
It makes no sense. I have these debates with my wife all the time. She says, “People are hurting out there, they need to be protected.” I say, “If people are hurting, why is every restaurant, store and construction site desperate for labor?” And let’s not forget about ERAP [The New York State Emergency Rental Assistance Program]. After a bumpy start, there’s been $1.6 billion paid to help support tenants at risk.
Lightning round
Eric Adams or Curtis Sliwa?
Always go with the vegan, ex-cop over the guy living in a 320-square-foot studio with 16 rescue cats. I also highly recommend listening to Eric’s recent [podcast] interview with Ezra Klein.
Last time you got on an airplane, what was your destination?
A vacation in Colorado last week.
What vax did you get?
J&J… one and done. That used to be a source of pride, but now the J&J alums are feeling a little less psyched.
Your go-to takeout?
Ki Sushi on Smith Street.
Where does your patience wear thinnest — evictions or anti-vaxxers?
While the advocates for eviction moratoriums, rent cancellation and all the other goodies could use some education in housing economics, the anti-vaxxers are in a league of their own. Good luck with that horse dewormer, folks.
