Case Studies

The Challenge

California's 500-mile Phase 1 high-speed intercity passenger rail corridor is one of the most complex infrastructure megaprojects in U.S. history. Advancing it requires world-class commercial and financial advice across a staged implementation lifecycle — with multiple funding sources demanding frequent grant applications, state budget negotiations, and rigorous compliance reporting.

Our Approach

IMPACTS serves as a subconsultant to KPMG, the primary financial and commercial advisor since 2011 on the California High Speed Rail Authority program. Since 2021, IMPACTS has led grant development and compliance support while assisting with financing strategies and procurement efforts. The IMPACTS team also prepared and supported multiple funding plans to obtain $9 billion in state bond funds from Proposition 1A — the Safe, Reliable High-Speed Passenger Train Bond Act.

The Challenge

UC Davis sought to select a public-private partnership (P3) developer for Aggie Square — a mixed-use innovation district anchored by the university in Sacramento. The project also required securing infrastructure funding from the City of Sacramento and aligning a complex set of public and private stakeholders around a shared development vision.

Our Approach

IMPACTS served as Capital Asset Strategies Advisor to UC Davis, providing procurement and developer selection support. The IMPACTS team also procured and guided an economic and fiscal impact analysis, advised UC Davis and Wexford on a tax increment financing strategy, and supported negotiations with the City of Sacramento. The City agreed to establish the financing districts needed to facilitate up to $30 million in bonds for public infrastructure, supported by future tax-increment revenues generated by the Aggie Square project.

The Challenge

The City of Inglewood sought additional state and federal funding for the Inglewood Transit Connector (ITC) Project — a last-mile transit connection in the Southern California region designed to accommodate rapid local growth and preparation for hosting Olympic Games and other events at SoFi Stadium and other nearby venues in Inglewood. Navigating multiple competitive grant programs simultaneously required specialized expertise in federal transit funding priorities, processes and requirements.

Our Approach

IMPACTS served as a subconsultant to Anser Advisory/Accenture, focusing on multiple state and federal grant applications to fund the development of the ITC Project. The team prepared successful applications under the federal RAISE program and California's TIRCP, and supported the project's advancement through the FTA Capital Investment Grant New Starts process.

The Challenge

UC Riverside needed to redevelop an underutilized site to replace aging housing, create a vibrant mixed-use district at the core of campus, and support enrollment growth — all while improving quality of life for the campus and surrounding community. The project required navigating the UC system's emerging P3 student housing initiative.

Our Approach

IMPACTS conducted a P3 suitability assessment and supported UC Riverside's collaboration with the UC Office of the President's system-wide student housing P3 initiative. The IMPACTS team supported evaluation of potential P3 developers and facilitated on-campus public meetings with short-listed developers to build community input into the selection process.

The Challenge

The California School Finance Authority needed to develop funding programs for K-12 school facilities and student, faculty, and staff housing — requiring grant writing expertise, policy development, and sustained stakeholder engagement with affordable housing developers, community college districts, and legislative offices across the state.

Our Approach

IMPACTS provided grant writing and administration across multiple cycles of federal school facilities grants and contributed to policy and program development for community college housing funding and financing strategies. We worked with legislative offices and advocacy organizations to obtain a new $2 billion state revolving loan fund program for student housing and contributed to implementing regulations. The IMPACTS team also engaged with affordable housing and student housing industry advisors and developers, and supported CSFA's outreach to community college housing sponsors.

The Challenge

UC Riverside's physical master plan was outdated and did not reflect the growth plans and vision of new campus leadership. A lean campus planning team needed support across the full life of the study — from procurement through completion. UC Riverside also wanted to enhance stakeholder engagement, as compared to prior planning cycles.

Our Approach

IMPACTS provided staff augmentation support for Capital Planning, co-led the Project Management Team, and served as Project Communication Liaison. The IMPACTS team facilitated key meetings with campus leadership, technical consultants, and community members, and provided project oversight, drafting, and quality control for all project materials, including the published final study.

The Challenge

UC Riverside's Vice Chancellor for Planning and Budget needed to integrate capital programs across organizational lines while evaluating multiple large campus development opportunities to meet growth needs. Fragmented processes across planning and delivery units were creating inefficiencies and limiting the ability of the campus to respond to strategic priorities.

Our Approach

IMPACTS performed an organizational assessment of multiple capital planning and delivery units and recommended a new Capital Asset Strategies Division. The IMPACTS team also collaborated with the Campus Architect, Vice Chancellors and other offices to achieve a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach to managing the full life cycle of campus facility projects.

The Challenge

College of the Desert sought to develop a comprehensive plan for its new Palm Springs Campus aligned with workforce demands in the Coachella Valley. The Executive Director for Facilities Planning needed assistance with procurement, scope refinement, technical and legal requirements, and evaluation of funding and financing strategies for an innovative educational hub. As of 2025, the College is implementing the project in several phases.

Our Approach

IMPACTS supported development and implementation of RFQs for the planner and master architect, provided preliminary information on innovative delivery approaches, and collaborated with the selected planning and architecture team on project scope and phasing. The IMPACTS team also developed an alternative project delivery screening and evaluation tool for unsolicited proposals for potential private development on campus property.

The Challenge

The High Desert Corridor Joint Powers Agency is advancing a high-speed intercity rail project connecting the Antelope Valley in Los Angeles County with the Victor Valley in San Bernardino County. Through planned connections with Brightline West, California High-Speed Rail, and Metrolink, the corridor has the potential to become a critical link between Southern California, Northern California, Las Vegas, and the broader regional rail network. With billions of dollars in capital investment required, the Agency needed a strategic approach to identifying and competing for state and federal funding.

Our Approach

IMPACTS serves as a subconsultant to InfraStrategies, the primary financial and strategy advisor to the High Desert Corridor Joint Powers Agency. IMPACTS developed an approach to improving the project's competitiveness for state and federal funding opportunities. Our team evaluated funding opportunities, advised the Agency on program fit and positioning, and prepared applications for multiple state and federal grant programs. IMPACTS also developed federal grant applications that earned Highly Rated and Project of Merit recognition. These designations strengthened the project's competitive position and created additional advantages for future federal funding opportunities.