Mr. Keyser, Chairman of the Board of Keyser Marston, has spent his entire professional life in evaluating the feasibility of real estate projects and consulting on development. He is a founding Principal of Keyser Marston and is a recognized authority in the real estate and redevelopment community.

Key Role

Mr. Keyser has been at the center of many of the West’s distinguished and high impact developments including Horton Plaza in San Diego, California Plaza in Los Angeles and Yerba Buena Gardens in San Francisco. His experience, knowledge and work with industry and professional groups combine to give Mr. Keyser unique insight in real estate trends, what works in real estate development, and contacts within the development and financial community throughout the United States.

Areas of Specialization

Downtown Strategies

Mr. Keyser has had extensive experience in assisting cities and towns in their efforts to develop downtown retail and/or revitalization strategies that can be implemented. A significant part of these assignments is the need to identify opportunities for new uses that complement an existing mix. Examples include the preparation of strategies for the cities of Oakland, Pleasant Hill, Concord, Riverside, Spokane, and Portland.

Real Estate Feasibility Analysis and Negotiations

Throughout his career, Mr. Keyser has been extensively involved in analysis and negotiation multi-use projects. His most recent focus is on the inclusion of new urbanism concepts in the repositioning of existing developments as well as new developments. As examples, he is consulting on three large land development projects at Fort Ord: East Garrison for Monterey County, Marina Heights and University Village for the City of Marina. These three developments involve over 1,000 acres of land.

Additional Areas of Specialization

Military Base Conversion

Mr. Keyser has worked on Hamilton Air Force Base in Marin County, Alameda Naval Air Station, and the Presidio of San Francisco on leasing, finance and related strategies to assist in the transition from military to civilian use.

Sports Facilities

• San Francisco Giants, SBC Park. Mr. Keyser was integrally involved in the planning and implementation of a spectacular 42,000-seat waterfront baseball stadium in downtown San Francisco. His work included an initial feasibility for a baseball stadium and sports arena combined with a major retail/entertainment complex. Later, Mr. Keyser served as co-project manager for the Giants feasibility assessment prior to bringing the project forward for voter approval. He worked with national experts in sports finance and ballpark construction and design to define a feasible project for the Giants. Acting as an extension to Giants staff to implement the project, Keyser Marston prepared the project source and use of funds projection, advised the Giants on developer selection, assisted with ground lease negotiations for the ballpark and parking sites, and advised on the retail mix that might be included as part of the project.
• Oakland Economic Development Agency – Oakland A’s. Mr. Keyser assisted the City in formulating a downtown ballpark finance plan and revitalization strategy with particular focus on a site subsequently under development for housing by Forest City.
• Centre City Development Corp. – Petco Park Ballpark District. Mr. Keyser and Keyser Marston assisted CCDC in evaluating development of the mixed-use community around the Padres (Petco Park) new ballpark in San Diego. Keyser Marston’s role included market and financial analyses of residential, office, and specialty retail/restaurant uses adjacent to the Ballpark proper. Policy-makers used the Keyser Marston analyses to guide the master planning and negotiations with the Padres.
• Sacramento Sports Arena, City of Sacramento. Keyser Marston, along with other consultants, conducted a two-phase study to assess the feasibility and economic impacts of a new sports and entertainment district, “SED”, anchored by a new sports arena for the Sacramento Kings, and other destination-type attractions in downtown Sacramento on the site of the Union Pacific (UP) Railyards.
• Anacostia (Washington, D.C.) Waterfront Corp. – Washington National Ballpark District. Mr. Keyser served on the Selection Committee for developers of property to be developed next to a new ballpark for the Washington Nationals.

Complex Negotiations

Recent examples of complex project negotiations on which Mr. Keyser worked include three projects at former military bases: two at Ft. Ord, involving 2,500 residential units and over 1,000,000 sq. ft of commercial space; and also at the Tustin Marine Base, which involves 2,000 residential units and 6,000,000 sq. ft of commercial.

Professional Credentials

Mr. Keyser is a member of the Urban Land Institute, has chaired both a ULI Mixed Use Council and a Public Private Partnership Council. He is currently a member of the Public Private Partnership Council. He has been a board member of the Bay Area Economic Forum, an organization composed of leaders in business, education and government to assist in the region’s growth, and a past board member of SPUR, a San Francisco leadership organization formed to promote planning and government initiatives. Mr. Keyser holds a master’s degree in real estate and finance from Columbia University, and a bachelor’s degree in economics and political science from Cornell University.

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