Trusted Advisors in Public-Private Real Estate Development

Keyser Marston Associates is pleased to announce the Los Angeles County Development Authority (LACDA) has issued a Request for Information (RFI) relating to an opportunity for the County to acquire the land and improvements, commonly referred to as the West Los Angeles Courthouse (Project Site), from the State of California's Judicial Council.  By issuing this RFI, LACDA is soliciting responses to generate conceptual ideas and explore the feasibility of a mixed-use project.  The County considers the Project Site to be ideally situated for a mixed-use project and joint development opportunity.

On March 12, the San Luis Obsipo County Board of Supervisors unanimously voted in favor of a major amendment to the County's existing Inclusionary Housing Ordinance. The updated policy, which takes effect July 1, would require that developers make 8 percent of their units affordable or pay in-lieu fees that are tiered based on a home’s square footage.

The future Oceanside Beachfront Resort (Project) broke ground in February 2019.  The Project will consist of two hotels, developed by S.D. Malkin Properties, and operated by Joie de Vivre and Destination Hotels. After years of planning efforts, the Project will be the largest newly constructed development on the San Diego County coast in over two decades. 

In September 2016, Governor Brown signed Assembly Bill 1500, enabling the California Transportation Commission (Caltrans) to relinquish State Route 75 (SR 75) to the Cities of Imperial Beach and San Diego.  The portion of SR 75 - Palm Avenue - that runs through the City of Imperial Beach is one of two major commercial corridors in the City.  The City hired Keyser Marston Associates, Inc. (KMA) to identify the advantages and disadvantages of the relinquishment from an economic and financial perspective.

On October 16^th, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted to approve Build Inc’s proposed redevelopment at India Basin, transforming the 17-acre waterfront site into a mixed-use community featuring 1,575 residential units (25% affordable), 145,000 SF of commercial space and open space that will become part of the India Basin Shoreline Park.  KMA advised the developer throughout the entitlement process and provided analysis informing parties of the fiscal and economic impacts of the project.

The Counselors of Real Estate "CRE" recently announced it's annual list of the top ten issues impacting real estate.  CRE is an organization (with several KMA principals maintaining membership) established for the professional development and knowledge sharing of real estate advisors.  Please click here to learn more about these issues. 

On April 24th, 2018 the San Diego Unified Port District (District) Board of Commissioners and the Chula Vista City Council approved a Disposition and Development Agreement and related Plan of Finance with Houston-based RIDA Development for the development of a resort hotel and convention center on the Chula Vista Bayfront (CVB).  The planned $1 billion development encompasses a 1,600-room waterfront resort hotel and 275,000-SF convention center on 36.5 acres. 

On November 30th, a public grand opening celebration was held at Artist Walk, the long waited mixed-use project in the heart of Fremont's Centerville Business District.  Developed by Blake|Griggs Properties of Danville, this TOD project is a block from an ACE Train station and in close proximity to BART and freeways.   The $85 million Artist Walk includes 185 luxury apartments along with public plazas and 30,000 SF of ground floor retail fronting Fremont Boulevard.  Keyser Marston's Reed Kawahara served as the City's long-time economic advisor on this project, which was developed on a city-owned site.

Sacramento recently welcomed a new addition to the Downtown Commons "DOCO" development, the Sawyer Hotel.  The Sawyer is a Kimpton-branded boutique hotel with 250-rooms, including 35 suites- some with extra-long beds to accommodate NBA players.  It also features a trendy rooftop restaurant, lounge and pool area called "The Revival" that overlooks the main plaza at Golden 1 Center.   KMA's Debbie Kern was economic advisor to the City of Sacramento and evaluated the project's financial feasibility.

On September 20th, the Hawai'i APA Annual Chapter award recipients were acknowledged at the HCPO Conference in Honolulu.   The award for Urban Design went to the Halawa Area Transit Oriented Development Plan, which seeks to transform the area surrounding the new high speed rail station at Aloha Stadium (and near Pearl Harbor attractions) into a vibrant livable community anchored by a mixed-use sports & entertainment district.   The plan was a collaboration between local and state officials, community members, and a consultant team lead by CallisonRTKL; Keyser Marston was the team member advising on the economics of the proposed plan.

On September 10th, ten interdisciplinary teams gathered at the Resilient by Design | Bay Area Challenge Kickoff Celebration in Richmond, CA.   The teams had been selected to participate in a design competition to craft innovative solutions enabling Bay Area communities to prepare for sea level rise, severe storms, flooding and earthquakes.  KMA (represented by Debbie Kern) is excited to participate as a member of the BionicTeam.

The San Francisco Bay Area's Chapter of the NAIOP (National Association of Industrial and Office Professionals) recently acknowledged 33 participants for completion of the annual program for young professionals dubbed the Young Professionals Group "YPG".  This program provides participants with curriculum and activities aimed at professional and personal growth.  Not only was KMA's Robert Kelly among this year's participants, but he was also on the award winning team tasked with presenting a mock proposal for a development site.  This year's site was the Potrero Power Plant.

On July 24th, the Public Financing Authority (PFA) for the Otay Mesa Enhanced Infrastructure District (EIFD) unanimously approved the Resolution to adopt an Infrastructure Financing Plan (IFP) and to officially establish the Otay Mesa EIFD.  The Otay Mesa EIFD is the State's second EIFD, the first being recently established West Sacramento EIFD No. 1.  Both EIFDs were formed with KMA assistance.  

On July 17th, the Mill Valley City Council introduced an affordable housing ordinance that would establish an impact fee on new residential projects, as well as renovation projects valued at $100,000 or more, in order to raise money for an Affordable Housing Trust Fund.  KMA was an advisor to the City and prepared a Residential Nexus Analysis to quantify the relationship between market-rate residential development and the demand for affordable housing.  The nexus study establishes the technical basis for establishing an affordable housing impact fee.  

On June 28th, the City of West Sacramento officially formed the State's first Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District (EIFD).  KMA was the financial advisor to the City and provided guidance throughout the formation process by testing feasibility of establishing an EIFD.  Additionally, KMA evaluated the revenue-generating capacity of the proposed EIFD, prepared the Infrastructure Financing Plan (IFP), and assessed the fiscal impacts of anticipated new development.