SKA Marin

SKA Marin has had a presence in the New York metropolitan area since 1985. The firm was founded by Sydelle Knepper and certified as a WBE in New York State. SKA Marin started exclusively as a consulting firm; structuring affordable housing and community revitalization projects. Working with a primary core of dedicated housing and social service clients, we focused on getting the job done by mastering the intricacies of the affordable housing business. We rose to the challenge of market conditions. There was a plethora of land available but subsidy programs did not reach to the depth needed for affordability. Nevetheless, our work in supportive housing led to long relationships with many committed organizations and housing advocates including the Partnership for the Homeless and the New York City Council of Religious Leaders.

In 1990, SKA Marin added construction management to its services. This extended our experience to the construction phase of development. Our success added another base of clients including housing authorities and other owners that were concerned with preserving the existing housing stock of their communities. Among our projects, we were cited by the New York City Housing Authority for our ability to take charge of two very visible and large development renovations and to complete the construction management, ahead of time and on budget.

The years of expertise in crafting financial solutions and overseeing the development process with new construction, renovation or tenant-in-place redevelopment have brought SKA Marin to a third phase of its business. Partnering with clients, lenders and investors, the firm develops projects for others and for our own account. We are still reaching ahead for new challenges. We are interested in how affordable housing has changed our communities for the better and what yet remains to be done. We see the continued need to maintain affordability and build the new housing for young families. We see seniors aging in place as the fastest growing population in the New York metropolitan area and we will find new models to facilitate those who would like to continue to live in their neighborhoods. We see mixed use development as a way to provide a unique flavor to not only urban but suburban and rural areas.

We are committed to our partners and clients and the localities that we serve to continue to provide the personal attention, service, quality and teamwork that distinguishes our firm.