Stephen H. Kaplan
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Stephen H. Kaplan

Partner; Member, Management Committee

Denver
303.825.7002C 303.885.4042

Throughout his professional career, Steve Kaplan has participated in the negotiation of complicated public-private partnerships (P3s) from several different perspectives: as a client, as counsel to a municipality, and as a representative of the United States government.  Steve specifically focuses on public-private partnerships in the redevelopment of publicly owned property and the structuring of such redevelopment projects involving public financing for infrastructure.  He also is actively working on major public-private development projects, and with airports interested in airport-related commercial development, both on- and off-airport.

Projects involving both the public and private sectors can be the most challenging, and is where Steve brings a strong sense of being strategic, creative, and understanding the needs of both sides. Working collaboratively, Steve anticipates problems and addresses them, using the various tools and options available to the clients.

Steve was the General Counsel of the United States Department of Transportation from 1993 through 1995, with responsibility for advising and representing the Department and its various agencies, including—among others— the Federal Railroad Administration, the Federal Transit Administration, the Federal Highway Administration, and the Federal Aviation Administration.

Steve also served for seven years as the City Attorney of Denver, Colorado.  He was actively involved in negotiations which led to the development of the Denver International Airport, the Colorado Convention Center, and the governance structure and financing for Denver’s Major League Baseball stadium.

Representative Experience

  • Represents the master developer of the redevelopment of the 3,000 acre former Stapleton International Airport (now Central Park), with over $650 million of public financed infrastructure, utilizing tax increment financing and special districts.  This project has been ongoing for over twenty years, and has included Federal regulatory issues, infrastructure financing, brownfields environmental issues, land use and real estate matters.
  • Represents the Front Range Passenger Rail District created to govern, build, and operate passenger rail along the Front Range in Colorado.
  • Represented the Regional Transportation District on the procurement and implementation of the Eagle P3 rail line to Denver International Airport.
  • Represented the master developer of the Denver Union Station 19.5 acre site, which included a dozen various funding sources to put the transit/rail station infrastructure in place.
  • Represents the Town of Islip on Long Island on the redevelopment of Airport land for a life sciences center, convention center, hotel, and new terminal near the Long Island Railroad Ronkonkoma Station.  These multi-billion dollar intermodal projects will be transformational for Long Island.
  • Represented the Colorado Department of Transportation in the procurement of an availability payment P3 project for the Central 70 highway project, NEPA, and ongoing matters including claims resolution.
  • Represents the Denver Convention Center Hotel Authority in the planning, development and financing of this 1,100 room hotel, and its ongoing operation.
  • Represented Denver International Airport in the public-private partnership developing the area adjacent to the 61st and Pena rail station.
  • Represents the City and County of Denver on the Framework Agreement among Denver, Colorado State University and the Western Stock Show Association for the governance and operation of the National Western Complex, as well as in the development of the Stock Show.
  • Represented developers on the redevelopment of Alameda Station and Broadway Station.
  • Served as strategic advisor and counsel to several private and public entities on transportation and infrastructure projects including transit-oriented developments and highway matters; representing airports on matters ranging from airport revenue diversion and privatization issues to P3 terminal projects and commercial development both on and off-airport

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