Paul Marra is the Managing Principal of the Keyser Marston Associates, Inc. San Diego office.  He has 30 years experience in real estate market and financial evaluation, fiscal and economic impact assessments, and public/private partnerships (P3).

Areas of Specialization

Mixed-Use and Transit-Oriented Development

Paul analyzes feasibility for housing developments ranging from high-rise condominiums to in-fill and mixed-use developments.  He assists cities and transit districts with developer selection and transaction structuring for multi-family and mixed-use developments at transit stations.  Paul led the financial feasibility analyses and developer negotiations for the Mercado del Barrio mixed-use development near the Barrio Logan trolley station.

Affordable Housing Policy and Transactions

Paul structures Low Income Housing Tax Credit and tax-exempt bond transactions.  He recently assisted the San Diego Housing Commission with a financing strategy for acquisition and development of over 850 affordable units.  He prepares nexus studies and economic analyses to assist cities in adopting affordable housing fees.

Economic Development

Paul assists cities and urban planners in evaluating the potential for new in-fill and mixed-use development in older commercial districts, including preparation of implementation strategies and infrastructure financing plans.  He recently assisted the City of Imperial Beach in updating zoning for its commercial corridors, and the City of Laguna Niguel with a major mixed-use development program for the Gateway Specific Plan.

Public / Private Partnerships (P3)

Paul assists cities and transit districts with developer selection and transaction structuring for multi-family, commercial, hospitality, and mixed-use developments.  Recent projects include “main street” entertainment retail developments such as the proposed University Village district in San Marcos; repositionings of regional malls; and ground lease negotiations for coastal resort hotels in Imperial Beach and Oceanside.

Fiscal and Economic Impact

Paul analyzes fiscal impacts for large-scale developments and Specific Plans/General Plans.  He prepared nexus analyses for the Downtown San Diego park and recreation development impact fee and affordable housing fees in San Diego and Solana Beach.  He managed the formation of the first Infrastructure Financing District (IFD) in the State, at Legoland Park in Carlsbad.

Professional Credentials

Mr. Marra served as the 2012 President of Lambda Alpha International San Diego chapter, and he is a member of the Urban Land Institute, American Planning Association, and San Diego Housing Federation.  He chaired the 2014 Urban Land Institute (ULI) Technical Assistance Panel (TAP) for the Baja California Center property in Rosarito, Mexico.  Mr. Marra graduated Phi Beta Kappa from The Johns Hopkins University with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology.  He studied in Latin America as an exchange student and maintains his fluency in Spanish.

Contact Paul

email: pmarra@keysermarston.com | phone 619.718.9500