James Smerdon is one of Western Canada’s most influential advisers to the owners, managers, developers and planners of retail and commercial land.
He founded the consulting company Urban Eco Consultants with former Forty under 40 Andrew Ramlo soon after Smerdon completed a geography degree at the University of British Columbia (UBC).
The two contracted their services to the Urban Futures Institute, where they did demographic forecasting, and then to Hudema Consulting, where their work had more of a retail focus.
Smerdon joined Colliers International in 2007 as an independent contractor after spending seven years at Hudema.
“Every project we do is for someone who has a question about the value of their site and how to add value. It’s usually about monetary value, through rezoning or adaptation of the use,” he said.
His clients include major retailers (Mountain Equipment Co-op), construction firms (Bouygues), investment property owners (Morguard) and neighbourhood developers (Brookfield Residential, Genstar).
His influence is also felt on projects in Alberta and Saskatchewan.
Smerdon is sought by organizations such as the International Council of Shopping Centres to speak at its events. Media also seek him out regularly for thoughts about retail and development issues.
Outside work, he is active fundraising for the Parkinson Society of British Columbia for events such as its annual Superwalk.
Smerdon has lived with Parkinson’s Disease since symptoms first arose when he was 30 years old.
Many know the degenerative brain disease because it is the one which has afflicted actor Michael J. Fox.
“Right now I function through effective medication, but it’s like walking a tightrope. I can never quite get the right balance,” he said. •
