Press Releases

Coomes Lends His Insights as Contributing Author and Editor

For Immediate Release: Sept. 9, 2016
Media Contact: Denise Nix • 213-787-2552 • denise.nix@bbklaw.com

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Best Best & Krieger LLP attorney Joseph E. Coomes, Jr., who pioneered the successful market-based use of redevelopment in California and other states, is a contributing author and editor of the newly released Urban Land Institute’s “Successful Public-Private Partnerships: From Principles to Practice.”

The report, which was overseen by ULI’s Public-Private Partnership Council and funded by the ULI Foundation, discusses the challenges and opportunities associated with creating successful P3s in today’s economic environment. It builds on ULI research originally published more than a decade ago that identified the core principles essential for effective joint development projects.

Coomes, a frequent and long-time contributor to ULI publications on P3s, redevelopment and development, is credited with creating the development and financing model, among other innovations, that enables major retailers to return to downtowns they once abandoned for the suburbs. He has negotiated some of the largest and most difficult urban mixed-use redevelopment projects in California, including San Francisco’s Yerba Buena Gardens and downtown San Jose’s Silicon Valley Financial Center. He was one of the first to negotiate closures and reuses of military bases, allowing for private developers to work with public agencies to create residential, mixed-use and urban redevelopment projects.

“Joe’s contributions to this important and practical report will be tremendously useful to both public agencies and private investors,” said BB&K Partner Seth Merewitz, chair of the firm’s Public-Private Partnership group.

The report identifies the top challenges to creating successful P3s and the three most common types of P3s. It also provides a toolkit of best practices, which includes several examples of successful projects.

To see the full report, click here.


Best Best & Krieger LLP is a national law firm that focuses on environmental, business, education, municipal and telecommunications law for public agency and private clients. With 200 attorneys, the law firm has nine offices nationwide, including Indian Wells, Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Diego and Washington, D.C. For more information, visit www.bbklaw.com or follow @BBKlaw on Twitter.