We Advise
Deal Structuring & Public-Private Partnerships
"I don't just advise on deals. I've sat on both sides of the table and closed them."
From Kansas City Councilman and Planning, Zoning & Economic Development Chair to commercial real estate partner: Deal structuring grounded in public and private sector experience between public purpose and private capital.
Available as prime consultant or subcontractor for deal structuring and public-private partnerships.
The Problem We Solve
Deals Die in the Gap
Public Sector
What they want: Community benefit, affordable units, job creation, and expanded tax base
What they fear: Political backlash, corporate giveaways, and failed projects that make headlines
Often lack deal math literacy or understanding of investor return requirements
Private Sector
What they want: Predictable returns, clear approval paths, and reasonable timelines
What they fear: Political delays, shifting requirements, and capital trapped in bureaucracy
Often underestimate political realities and community stakeholder concerns
Dr. Nash Has Sat on Both Sides
Having served as Former Kansas City Councilman chairing Planning, Zoning & Economic Development, and as 1st African American Partner at a Top 10 Commercial Real Estate Firm in Missouri History (Newmark Zimmer) advising on private transactions, Dr. Nash speaks both languages fluently.
"I translate city hall speak into deal speak, and close the gap where most consultants just describe it."
Proven Experience
Both Sides of the Table
Not theoretical knowledge, lived experience structuring and closing deals on both sides of public private partnerships.
Public Sector Experience
Former Kansas City Councilman
Four years as Chair of the Planning, Zoning & Economic Development Committee (2003-2007). Chaired the council committee with jurisdiction over all zoning ordinance and subdivision regulations.
Former MHDC Vice Chairman
Governor appointed to Missouri Housing Development Commission. Shaped state housing policy and LIHTC allocations from the inside.
TIF Commission Experience
Reviewed dozens of TIF plans on the Kansas City TIF Commission. Knows exactly what makes incentive requests succeed or fail at the commission level.
Public Finance Oversight
Reviewed bond issuances, special taxing districts, and public infrastructure investments.
Private Sector Experience
Newmark Zimmer Partner
First African-American to become a partner in a top 10 commercial real estate firm in the history of the State of Missouri.
Transaction Advisory
Advised on commercial real estate transactions and public-private partnerships.
LIHTC Developer
254 homes across four MHDC-awarded developments. Understands investor requirements and syndicator negotiations firsthand.
Assistant teaching professor at a major university
For Government & Municipalities
Public Sector Services
Helping cities and public agencies structure deals that achieve community goals while attracting quality development partners.
TIF & Tax Abatement
Structure tax increment financing and abatement programs that actually incentivize quality development
PILOT Programs
Design Payment in Lieu of Taxes programs for affordable housing and nonprofit projects that pencil
Special Districts
Form CIDs, TDDs, NIDs and other special taxing districts that fund infrastructure without general fund risk
Development Agreements
Negotiate terms that protect public interests while keeping projects financially feasible for developers
Incentive Packages
Assemble comprehensive public incentive packages that attract proven developers to priority corridors
RFP/RFQ Development
Craft solicitations that attract qualified respondents and enable transparent, defensible evaluation
Intergovernmental
Coordinate between city, county, state, and federal agencies on complex multiparty development projects
Legislative Strategy
Navigate policy and legislative requirements that determine whether development approvals succeed or stall
For Developers & Investors
Private Sector Services
Helping developers structure deals that hit target returns while securing the public support and incentives required to close.
Capital Stack Optimization
Structure the optimal mix of debt, equity, and public incentives to maximize returns and minimize risk
LIHTC Deal Structuring
Structure 4% and 9% tax credit deals including basis calculations, credit pricing, and compliance frameworks
Syndicator Negotiations
Navigate investor negotiations for optimal pricing, partnership terms, and closing timelines
Partnership Structuring
Structure LP/GP agreements, operating agreements, and joint ventures that align all parties
Gap Financing Strategy
Identify and secure soft debt, grants, and subordinate financing sources that close the gap
Investor Relations
Prepare investor presentations and manage stakeholder communications that build confidence
Public Incentive Strategy
Navigate applications for TIF, tax abatement, and other public incentives with insider knowledge of what gets approved
Exit Strategy Planning
Plan Year 15 exits, refinancing, and long term ownership transitions before the clock runs out
Transaction Services
Partnership Structuring
Expert guidance on structuring joint ventures and partnership agreements that align interests, manage risk, and actually close.
Joint Venture Structuring
Structure JVs between developers, landowners, nonprofits, and public entities with clear roles, economics, and exit provisions.
Development Agreements
Draft and negotiate development agreements that protect all parties and create enforceable milestones for project success.
Community Benefit Agreements
Design CBAs that satisfy community stakeholders while keeping project economics intact and closable.
Fee & Promote Structures
Structure developer fees, asset management fees, and promote provisions that incentivize performance.
Waterfall Modeling
Model distribution waterfalls, preferred returns, and equity splits that attract investors and reward developers.
Who We Serve
Our Clients
Cities & Counties
Economic development offices seeking quality partners
Private Developers
Market rate and affordable housing developers
Housing Authorities
PHAs seeking public private development partners
Nonprofits & CDCs
Community development corporations building capacity
Faith Based Orgs
Churches and congregations monetizing land assets
Healthcare Systems
Hospital anchored housing and wellness initiatives
State Agencies
HFAs and state development finance agencies
Investors & Syndicators
Tax credit investors and equity partners
Prime Contractors
Firms that need a deal structuring partner on public-private projects
The Difference
Why Dr. Nash
Planning and Zoning Chair
Four years leading Planning, Zoning & Economic Development. Knows what cities need, what elected officials fear, and what kills deals in committee.
Newmark Zimmer Partner
Former partner (2014), the first African-American to become a partner in a top 10 commercial real estate firm in the history of the State of Missouri. Understands private deal math, investor requirements, and what makes capital commit.
University Teaching
Assistant teaching professor at a major university.
JD + MBA
Legal training combined with business acumen. Reads contracts, understands deal economics, and catches what others miss.
Active Developer
254 homes across four MHDC-awarded developments. We do not just advise on deals. We structure them.
Ready to Close the Gap?
Whether you are a city seeking quality development or a developer seeking public support, let us structure a deal that works for everyone, and actually closes.
Hiring a prime consultant or building a team? We welcome both.
Contact Dr. Troy Nash directly:
Why this is hard to copy
One buyer put the ranking in writing
This is not the firm’s opinion about how it should be judged. At least one public buyer writes the order down.
The regional planning organization lists its evaluation criteria and says they are applied “in order of priority”. First is specialized experience and technical competence. Second is understanding of the project. Third is references from previous work. Total project cost is listed last.
Not every buyer ranks it that way, and some name cost first. But where a buyer publishes the order, competing on price alone answers the criterion it put last.
Source: Mid-America Regional Council, Request for Proposals, Hazards and Vulnerability Analysis, section I, read 17 September 2026.
The evidence
What this is built on
The firm does not ask to be taken at its word. 31 accounts of the work, and the 230 published clippings written at the time, are open to read.
Our team consists of four USC-trained urban planners, plus professional degrees in architecture, law, economics, and nonprofit management.
We can’t predict the future. We can predict the room.
Public, private, nonprofit or philanthropic, we know the questions that room will ask and where a deal is likely to break. We spent our years doing the work, not writing about it, so our advice carries lived experience, practical knowledge and academic preparation.