Jan. 30, 2014
Deborah L. Miller
See more on Deborah L. MillerShute, Mihaly & Weinberger LLP | San Francisco | Public agencies
"I have been involved with the project since I stuck my foot in the law firm door in 2004," she said. "I've watched the growth of the projects, from initial planning, design and environmental review, through, most recently, construction."
In the first phase, scheduled for competition in 2017, the transit center will be a primary hub for public transportation into and around the city of San Francisco, ultimately providing a central point for 11 transit systems, including California's future high-speed rail.
Miller serves as counsel at all of the authority's board meetings, and a principal of its real estate acquisition and development team.
In 2012, she and the team brokered a more than $190 million sale of authority property, with the proceeds being directly pumped back into construction of the project, she said.
"Brokering such a complex real estate transaction, with numerous stakeholders, requires a willingness to sit around the table and find solutions that achieve the parties' goals," she said. "In the end, with a sales price at the highest dollars per square foot of land for a commercial property in San Francisco history, I think that we got a very good deal for the authority."
Miller negotiated the acquisition of more than two dozen properties valued at more than $90 million, including more than a dozen through eminent domain.
Acquisition of two of the business properties through that process remain contested and are set for trial later this year, she added.
"The court granted our request for an order of immediate possession of the two outstanding properties," Miller said. "They have been demolished and the project is moving forward. Money is the outstanding issue."
The second phase of the project includes a 2-mile extension of rail track, more than 1 mile of which will be through an underground tunnel, for high-speed rail and Caltrain, the regional commuter line on the peninsula.
Miller said she is continuing to look for full funding of Phase 2, adding, "We have federal, state and local dollars and their support, but we'll need to secure more. We are assisting the authority with exploring public/private partnerships as a potential project delivery method for Phase 2."
With the significant development of high-tech industry in San Francisco and the Transbay neighborhood, in particular, Miller said, "I think that these industries will be very supportive of the project and will get behind it to ensure that Phase 2 is fully funded."
- PAT BRODERICK
For reprint rights or to order a copy of your photo:
Email
jeremy@reprintpros.com
for prices.
Direct dial: 949-702-5390
Send a letter to the editor:
Email: letters@dailyjournal.com