ULI Opens 2011-12 Program for Other Northern California Cities Evaluating Growth
Plans and Redevelopment Alternatives
San Francisco (September 19, 2011) – The San Francisco District Council of the Urban Land Institute announced today that it is opening a call for proposals from Northern California cities, public agencies and non-profits to enlist ULI Technical Assistance Panels in the program’s 2011-2012 project-year.
ULI has conducted over 25 Technical Assistance Panels (TAPs) in Northern California – from San Jose to Sacramento to Santa Rosa – and their strong reception and results led to ULI’s expansion of the program to accommodate more applicants. Information and an application can be found at
http://www.ulisf.org/uli-in-action/technical-assistance-panels/
City of Dublin has recently contracted with ULI’s TAP program to help prioritize the execution of their recently passed Downtown Dublin Specific Plan. The city aims to into develop the area surrounding the new West Dublin BART station into a vital, retail-rich downtown. After a day of site tours and series of interviews with stakeholders, the panel presented their findings to the Mayor and city staff the following morning. Recommendations included convening the multiple property owners, undertaking streetscape redesign for key streets and introducing residential and mixed-use products as catalysts to achieve the larger vision.
Lauding the TAP’s efforts, the panelists have been asked to return and present their findings to city council next month.
The 2007 Fremont TAP is another example where ULI’s advisory service is credited with helping the city advance its urban planning around the BART station. By presenting development and investment firms with sound, market-based report such as ULI’s, cities like Fremont are able to attract new projects that align with into long-term objectives.
Said Jeff Schwob, Director of the City of Fremont Planning Department, “The ULI recommendations were a significant piece helping to clarify the potential for Fremont Midtown because it came from unbiased, experienced real estate professionals. The ULI Technical Assistance panel is one reason we’re not just seen as a suburb anymore but a growing community of diverse business, residential, entertainment and employment opportunities.”
Technical Assistance Panels provide expert, multidisciplinary advice to organizations facing complex land use and real estate issues. The ULI draws from its Northern California membership of 1,800 professionals in land-use – from designers and developers to financial, legal and marketing experts – to provide a small team volunteering their time to each Panel. While a small fee covers administrative and overhead costs, the ULI TAP provides cities and organizations an arms-length perspective on land-use planning, to tap into market-based drivers to meet their goals.
For more information, cities, government agencies and nonprofits should contact Kate White, executive director of ULI-San Francisco, or visit the TAPs information page at
http://www.ulisf.org/uli-in-action/technical-assistance-panels/
About ULI
Since 1947, the non-profit Urban Land Institute (www.ulisf.org) has harnessed the technical expertise of its members to help communities solve difficult land use, development, and redevelopment challenges. ULI’s organizational mission is to provide leadership in the responsible use of land in creating and sustaining thriving communities worldwide. Technical Assistant Panels are one outgrowth of that mission, and worldwide ULI has conducted over 500 panels.