Technical Assistance Panels (TAPs)

Technical Assistance Panels offer communities expert advice to vexing land-use challenges.

Downtown revitalization and economic development, river walks, hundreds of housing units, hidden parking and improved transportation stations — these are just a few of the recommendations resulting from ULI Boston/New England Technical Assistance Panels.

Charged with moving specific projects forward, a group of ULI real estate professionals bring their expertise into local communities through a one-day, low-cost consultation service. TAPs are organized for qualifying non-profits and local governments that may not have the resources to find solutions to development roadblocks.

During this one-day program, a panel of six to twelve ULI members provide local stakeholders with the information and tools needed to move projects from the backburner to full steam ahead. Master plans, placemaking, achieving a broader tax base, market feasibility, and financial structuring are just a few examples of how a TAP can help a community tackle land use issues.

Panel member expertise includes developers and owners, investors, designers, engineers, and executives from some of Boston’s largest banks and commercial real estate firms. From Central Square in Lynn to Haverhill and Dedham Square, ULI continues its mission to facilitate decision-making and idea generation at the local level.

In 2019, ULI Boston/New England conducted an assessment of 50 recent TAPs to evaluate the impact of the program on participating communities.

  • 82% said their behavior and approach to Municipal Planning and Economic Development Strategies was affected
  • 67% said there were increased municipal investments related to the stated goals and recommendations of their TAP report.
  • 62% said at least one key developable asset addressed in their TAP report had been redeveloped consistent with ULI Boston/New England recommendations 

Read the full report titled “Reimagining Communities” here.

View all TAP reports on the Resources page.

To learn more, or apply to the ULI Boston/New England TAP program, click here to view the application.

The TAP program is proudly sponsored by MassDevelopment.

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Real Estate Advisory Committee

The Real Estate Advisory Committee provides perspective, guidance and recommendations for local communities which are working to optimize their land use. ULI is uniquely positioned to offer professional volunteers with a very broad reach of expertise. The Technical Assistance Panels are made up of ULI members who range from developers architects engineers and other land use and real estate professionals. These groups uniquely composed for each TAP provide a tremendous opportunity for the communities, but also for the volunteers, who get exposed to situations and peer professionals who they would not likely meet otherwise. The Technical Assistance Panels offer a manageable commitment for the members, who are expected to contribute a few hours of preparation and one full workday.

Co-Chairs

Susan Connelly, Massachusetts Housing Partnership
Nyal McDonough
Larry Spang, Arrowstreet

Reimagining Communities