“I have had the pleasure and privilege of working with Jean Townsend and the staff of Coley/Forrest for over 25 years.   In all that time, I have never found another person or firm with greater energy, integrity, and knowledge in public financial and economic analysis.  We have worked together on projects both large and small, and Jean always approaches them with the same level of intensity and thoroughness.  I continue to rely on Jean's expertise to assist me in making good economically-grounded decisions.  Jean not only works extremely well with professional staff but truly understands the political process and what information community leaders need to make decisions.  I have also engaged and assisted Jean in providing expert testimony in the defense of community actions and acquisitions and have never been disappointed.  The honesty, integrity and depth of knowledge Jean brings to economic and financial analysis has never been matched in my over 40 years as a Planning and Economic Director.”  Frank Gray, Director of Community and Economic Development, Salt Lake City, Utah       
 

“Jean has consistently cut through the hype to provide an accurate analysis of development proposals. I absolutely trust Jean’s ability to deconstruct a pro-forma and provide us with a bottom line impact analysis. Jean has an in-depth understanding of the complexity of revitalization projects, and will always inject a dose of reality into any development analysis. Jean helped us navigate through the complex redevelopment of both Villa Italia and Westland Shopping Centers. Jean understands the direct and indirect impacts of in-fill development, and was a valuable resource on the Colfax Redevelopment Plan.”  Mike Rock, retiring City Manager, City of Lakewood, Colorado

“Coley/Forrest was engaged to help Lend Lease identify the fiscal impacts our Horizon Uptown community was going to have on local jurisdictions. Jean Townsend’s approach to creating the resulting fiscal impact study and model was thoughtful, creative, intuitive and thorough. The work was delivered on time and within budget, and I would highly recommend Coley/Forrest.”  Krista Sprenger, LEED AP | Project Director - Horizon Uptown | Lend Lease Communities
 

If ever there was a “Go To” consultant, the definition applies to Jean Townsend.  Goldberg Properties has structured many public-private partnerships in our real estate development business over the past 20 years, and when these structures have required economic forecasting or economic structure interpretations, we have engaged Coley / Forrest.  Jean is a trusted member of our team and has been our spokesperson in our interface with municipal governments. Our success can be directly attributed to Jean and her organization.” Mark Goldberg, President, Goldberg Properties


"Jean has worked for Oakwood Homes over the last ten years preparing market and fiscal feasibility analyses as we pursued large-scale entitlements.  Her work is not only precise but also exceedingly credible with our local government partners.   Most recently, Jean managed a consortium of mixed use developers as we worked in tandem with the City of Aurora to analyze and craft ways to insure that development pays its own way.  I don’t know anyone else who could have provided the technical expertise necessary to collaborate with the City and kept us focused and speaking with a common voice. The result was a win-win, in my judgment.”  Bruce Rau, Entitlements Manager, Oakwood Homes
 

“Jean Townsend has provided economic and financial services for the Town of Erie for more than ten years including expert defense of impact fees, structuring and applying our fiscal impact model, evaluating how to resolve town/developer issues, and informal collaborative problem-solving with City staff.  In each case, her work has been creative, detailed and of the highest quality.”  Molly Kostelecky, Finance Director, Town of Erie, Colorado
 

“Jean Townsend is a sleuth.  She leaves no stone unturned when she evaluates land use proposals for their socio-economic and fiscal impacts to local governments.  Because of her in-depth understanding of local government financial structures and service delivery cost systems, as well as her understanding of development pro formas, she is quick to identify opportunities that benefit both parties.”  Barbara Green, land use lawyer, Sullivan Green Seavy, LLC

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