Elias Vareldzis is an Assistant Planner with V&A. He works to provide research, analysis, and other project assistance to a variety of community planning projects stemming from the Milwaukee-office.
Elias is passionate about the potential of planning to help communities identify and recognize their unique assets, values, and characteristics through authentic, equitable, and inclusive community engagement practices.
Environmental issues are also an area of keen interest for Elias.
Prior to joining the company, Elias worked as Assistant Planner and Floodplain Manager for the City of Glendale, Wisconsin. There he gained valuable experience in planning and design review, preparing reports, and providing subject area expertise and recommendations to community stakeholders. He also honed his public engagement skills by assisting residents and developers in understanding and navigating local, state, and federal floodplain regulations in ways that both ensured safety from flood damage while minimizing environmental impacts. Elias has experience in navigating the complex relationships between public and private sector partners and regulatory policy systems, coordinating and implementing federal grant and regulatory programs, administering local zoning ordinances, site selection, and implementing land use planning at the local level.
Since joining V&A, Elias has completed several Park and Open Space Plan updates, two full Comprehensive Plan updates, supported ongoing planning services in client communities, assisted on multiple small area and downtown revitalization plans, redevelopment, and implementation planning efforts, among other projects. He has a strong interest in creative placemaking, infill redevelopment projects and neighborhood area planning, sustainability and equity in planning and design, local and regional economic development, and bicycle and pedestrian planning.
Working with community members and colleagues, Elias aims to use planning as a tool to create collaborative and innovative solutions that meet the needs and desires of the local population and help communities grow and reinvent themselves in response to the challenges they are facing today.
EDUCATION
UW Milwaukee – Milwaukee, WI Master of Urban Planning
School of Architecture & Urban Planning
Marquette University – Milwaukee, WI Bachelor of Science Cum Laude, Major in History & Middle/Secondary Education; Minor: Political Science
PROFESSIONAL LICENSES & MEMBERSHIPS
Member, American Planning Association, National and Wisconsin Chapters
Volunteer, Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity
Volunteer, River Revitalization Foundation