Technical Assistance Panels

ULI SE Florida/Caribbean TAP Reports

What are Technical Assistance Panels (TAPs)?
Since 1947, ULI’s Advisory Services Program has been assisting communities by bringing together week-long panels of seasoned real estate, planning, financing, marketing and development experts to provide unbiased pragmatic advice on complex land use and development issues. Several years ago the ULI Southeast Florida/Caribbean District Council began providing panel services of one or two days to address specific local government issues in the areas such as housing, parking, redevelopment and future land use development.

How Do TAPs Work?
Sponsors request TAPs services on a specific issue that can be addressed by a panel of experts in one or two days. The District Council assists the sponsor in refining the scope of the assignment and convenes a panel to address those specific issues. The sponsor works within ULI guidelines to provide background information to ULI panelists prior to the panel convening. When convened, the TAP panel views the subject site, hears from public and private stakeholders and then deliberates on the assigned issues. At the conclusion of the panel’s work, an oral report is presented to stakeholders followed within about two weeks by a written report.

A fee is charged for the advisory service, but the panel members are not compensated for their time. They are only reimbursed for their out-of-pocket expenses, such as overnight lodging and transportation to attend the TAP. To ensure objectivity, panel members cannot be involved in matters pending before or be working for the sponsor and cannot solicit work from the sponsor during the panel’s assignment period.

What Do TAPs Cost?
The fee depends on the length of the actual TAP convening, but including panel expenses is typically between $15,000 and $20,000. Each TAP is different, and fees are negotiated individually with the client.

Who is ULI?
ULI was founded in 1936 as a non-profit institute to facilitate the open exchange of ideas and information among local, national and international real estate industry leaders and policy makers dedicated to creating better places. Today it has more than 36,000 members worldwide. ULI neither lobbies nor acts as an advocate for any single industry – it is committed to providing leadership in the responsible use of land and in creating and sustaining thriving communities.
Locally, the District Council includes almost 1,200 members spread along the east coast of Florida from Indian River County through the Florida Keys and from Puerto Rico.

If you believe that a TAP might be of benefit to your community or organization, please contact: