River Street Planning & Development, owned by Margaret Irwin, is a professional planning company that focuses on consensus and capacity building, comprehensive planning, community and economic development and resilience.

Communities surprise us. Great ideas come from unexpected sources. In nearly 30 years as community planners, the River Street team has learned that while people and communities may seem different on the surface, at heart we care about the same things – family, kids, a home, work to pay the bills, faith, health, and a safe community. Our approach to community planning relies on the basic truth that people don’t resist their own ideas and creates venues where every voice is heard. We understand how to bring people together, what to do when they are gathered, and how to incorporate their input into shared enthusiasm and a visionary plan. Simply put, to us collaboration is the “silver bullet.”

At River Street, we are persistent advocates for action-oriented planning that balances community aspirations to conserve resources with sustainable economic growth through strategies that support vibrant communities while reflecting local values. Our breakthrough plans interpret and translate communities’ inspirational ideas into real, physical form. Our approach is asset-based, building on what is unique and successful in a place to establish priorities and stimulate investment. Carefully implemented with deep and continuous public sponsorship, our work results in a clear vision that enables leaders to govern effectively and commit the investment of time, money, land and other resources needed to achieve the outcomes they choose together.

As a NYS Woman Business Enterprise, we partner with a diverse group of communities, organizations, companies and universities at all points in the planning process.