Angelica Valencia

My focus

Transportation & Infrastructure

My practice focuses on transportation, financing and infrastructure projects. I work closely with the Build America Bureau on its Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) program, which provides financing for a range of transportation projects throughout the United States, and its Railroad Rehabilitation & Improvement Financing (RRIF) program, which provides loans and loan guarantees to finance the development of railroad infrastructure.

Public-Private Partnerships (P3)

I have supported many of the country’s largest and most complex P3 projects including, the LAX Automated People Mover and Long Beach Civic Center P3. My work for these projects have included coordinating the preparation of required financing documentation and credit rating submissions, as well as legal input on funding agreements and requirements.

Puerto Rico

Recently, much of my work has involved representing a number of agencies in Puerto Rico, including the Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority, the Puerto Rico Highways and Transportation Authority and the Puerto Rico Sales Tax Financing Corporation.

Cultural Institutions

I also represent a number of 501(c)(3) foundations, non-profits, and cultural institutions as issuer and underwriter’s counsel in their taxable and tax-exempt bond offerings, supporting social and economic grants.

Education

Counsel multiple school districts in financing construction and rehabilitation of schools in their communities.

Representative experience

• Los Angeles International Airport Automated People Mover Project: Served as bond counsel on The Bond Buyer’s 2018 Far West Deal of the Year, which was awarded for its $1.2 billion financing for the Los Angeles International Airport Automated People Mover Project.
• Agricultural Project: Represented investment bankers in connection with the financing of an innovative project in northern California referred to as the Cal Ag Project. The Project will process rice straw (the portion of the rice crop remaining after the rice has been harvested) and produce medium density fiberboard (MDF). The primary use of MDF is in the manufacturing of panel board used for cabinets and other building products.

Looking ahead

The evolving infrastructure needs require creative solutions. P3s will continue as a financing tool permitting the private and public sectors to work together.

Insights

• Moderator, “Latest on the Implementation of the Infrastructure Law,” The Bond Buyer 2022 Infrastructure Conference, November 14, 2022
• Moderator, “How Do I Build a P3? Best Practices in Risk Allocation and Surety,” 2021 P3 Higher Education Summit, October 26, 2021
• Speaker, “Transit Projects and Vehicle Delivery – What is the Best Approach for Owners?” Public-Private Partnership Conference & Expo, March 2020
• Co-author, “Airport P3s – Looking down the runway,” Project Finance International, June 16, 2020