"Though there have been a great many visionaries throughout the history of the shopping center industry, no one man will be remembered quite like Albert Sussman for his zest, foresight and belief that the free exchange of ideas enables an industry to grow and prosper," says Michael P. Kercheval, ICSC's president and chief executive officer. "His commitment and service to the shopping center industry will never be forgotten." Sussman remained active in ICSC as an ex-officio member of its board of trustees until his death.
During his tenure, ICSC published the Recommended Lease Form, which provided landlords guidelines for renting space in their shopping centers. Parking Requirements for Shopping Centers, a joint publication of ICSC and the Urban Land Institute, helped determined the ratio of parking spaces needed for a shopping center.
By the time he retired, Sussman had helped develop many of the services ICSC continues to offer today. Some of these include idea exchanges, the Spring convention, government relations programs, professional accreditation, ICSC's European expansion and Shopping Centers Todaymagazine.
In 1995, the organization honored Sussman by naming its research library after him. Currently, the Albert Sussman Library print collection contains more than 1,400 volumes, as well as other documents, industry reports and surveys, annual reports and general business reference material. And throughout his career, he was recognized for his commitment to the industry. In 1986, the shopping center industry endowed the Albert Sussman Chair in Real Estate at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, where he was a frequent lecturer. He also received a fellowship award and teaching award from MIT, and was honored by the British Council of Shopping Centers in 1985. Sussman also received an award from the Save Our Children Foundation and was an original advisory board member for the Wharton Real Estate School.
Sussman, who graduated from the City College of New York with a degree in English literature, began his career in journalism. After serving in the Army during World War II, he was the public relations director for the Automobile Club of New York. He was also a partner in the public relations firm of VE Friedman Associates.
Sussman is survived by his sons, Bernard and Daniel, and three grandchildren. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, June 10 at the Plaza Chapel, 630 Amsterdam Ave. at 91st Street.
"The modern shopping center industry and ICSC grew in tandem. It is an accomplishment in modern economic history," says John T. Riordan, whom Sussman recruited to follow him as the second head of staff at ICSC. "That it parallels so closely Al Sussman's three decades of leadership is no coincidence."
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