Mayor Gaylor Baird nominates next Urban Development Director for City of Lincoln

LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) - Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird announced her nomination and intent to appoint Peter Hind, of Lincoln, as the next Urban Development Director for the City of Lincoln Wednesday.

Hind has more than 23 years of experience in residential, commercial, multi-family and healthcare design, and currently is manager of the Lincoln Architecture Group at Schemmer Associates Inc., an architecture, engineering and construction field services consulting firm. Hind first joined Schemmer as a senior architect in 2019.

If approved by the Lincoln City Council, Hind will start in September. Hind will replace Dan Marvin, who served as the Urban Development Director from 2019 until he retired in July 2023.

“Peter’s diverse professional background and impressive portfolio position him to continue Lincoln’s trajectory of growth and success,” said Mayor Gaylor Baird. “He commands rich experience in seeing complex projects through to completion and brings with him a strong commitment to problem-solving, innovation, and public service.”

Before working at Schemmer, Hind was a founding partner of studio951 in Lincoln and Principal of award-winning FOUNDarchitects. Additionally, he was a tenured professor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Hind received his Bachelor of Science degree in Architectural Studies and Master of Architecture degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He also studied at the Architectural Association in London.

Hind is a licensed architect in Nebraska, Kansas, Minnesota and Vermont and is a LEED 2.0 Accredited Professional and a member of the American Institute of Architects.

He is also a member of the City of Lincoln Urban Design Committee, appointed by Mayor Gaylor Baird.

“I am truly honored to be given this opportunity to serve the people of the city of Lincoln. I’m excited to work with the Urban Development Department team, the Mayor’s office, and the various constituents and stakeholders to help make Lincoln an even more vibrant, sustainable, and beautiful city,” Hind said.

Mayor Gaylor Baird thanked Marvin for his years of service to the City of Lincoln.

“Dan Marvin’s visionary leadership of our Urban Development team resulted in record-setting progress on affordable housing, increased housing stability for our most economically vulnerable community members, improved quality and safety of our existing housing stock, and a boom of growth and development across the city,” said Mayor Gaylor Baird. “He leaves a legacy that can be seen across Lincoln’s growing skyline and in the hearts and homes of residents across the community.”

The Urban Development Department manages Lincoln’s share of federal Community Development Block Grant funds, serves as the City’s Redevelopment Authority, coordinates acquisition of Right of Way and sales of City property, and manages public parking resources. The department includes three divisions:

Economic Opportunity: Facilitates redevelopment efforts and manages public parking resources
Livable Neighborhoods: Works to increase safe, affordable housing; help residents become successful first-time homeowners; support neighborhood vitality; and address homelessness issues
Administration: Ensures federal requirements are met and assists the other divisions with financial management, data analysis, and information communication