Cotter, president of National Resources, passes away

Manhattan, NY “With great sadness, we share with you that Joseph Cotter passed away suddenly from a heart attack on Friday October 25, 2024 at home in his beloved New York City. Cotter, at 66, accomplished so much, developing visionary projects in places and communities that he believed in. Cotter was very proud of his family, a great friend who meant much to so many, effortlessly connecting on a personal level. Most importantly, we will honor him by continuing to develop our existing projects and those in our pipeline to create transformative projects,” said Lynne Ward, co-founder in National Resources. 

Cotter was president of National Resources, the New York metro real estate development and investment firm that focuses on the redevelopment of urban and industrial sites. The company is built on a foundation of acquiring key properties and using existing infrastructure, then adding the dimension of sustainability.

Under Cotter’s visionary leadership, National Resources has redeveloped over $2 billion of projects with some of the world’s largest capital partners, creating thousands of jobs in the Tri-State area. Innovation was central to National Resources’ unprecedented success, developing real estate that transforms people, communities, and environments. Working with towns and banks over the long-term, Joe and Lynne built a business employing almost 100 people. 

Long before major real estate developers discovered the Yonkers waterfront, Cotter was a true pioneer, transforming the former Otis Elevator industrial complex in Yonkers into i.Park Hudson, a thriving workplace that includes the new Lionsgate Studios TV and film production complex. Working with their partners at Great Point Studios, the $500 million Lionsgate project has changed the face of film and television production in Westchester and New York State, with over 16 soundstages and the Robert Halmi Sr. Academy of Film and Television, a public high school for Grades 6 through 12, on the former Leake & Watts property. 

The transformative impact of National Resources innovative projects is felt throughout the region, from Westchester and the entire Hudson Valley to Nassau, Fairfield, and Bergen Counties. National Resources has played a key role in the development of the Hudson River waterfront including the 24-acre Hudson Harbor community in Tarrytown, NY and the 26-acre Edgewater Harbor in Edgewater, NJ. In addition, National Resources is well-known for its signature i.Park campuses in Yonkers, NY; East Fishkill, NY; Ulster, NY; and Norwalk, CT

Cotter’s success has been recognized by many business and real estate publications as well as universities and business organizations. Last year, he was honored at the Business Council of Westchester’s Annual Hall of Fame program receiving the prestigious Entrepreneurial Business Success Award while he and Lynne have received several awards from Urban Land Institute and NAIOP. 

There will be a private family service held and details on a public memorial will be shared in the days ahead.