ULI New York opens call for 2027 Technical Assistance Panel proposals to support communities in addressing land use and development challenges

Manhattan, NY The Urban Land Institute New York (ULI NY) has opened its call for proposals for the 2027 Technical Assistance Panel (TAP) program, inviting organizations across New York to apply for expert guidance on land use, real estate development and community planning challenges. Proposals will be accepted through December 16, 2026, for engagements taking place in 2027.

Through the TAP program, ULI NY assembles multidisciplinary teams of experienced real estate and land use professionals from its membership to provide independent, actionable recommendations to public agencies, nonprofits and community stakeholders. Participants gain access to expertise in planning, architecture, development, finance, engineering and related disciplines to address challenges involving housing, neighborhood revitalization, infrastructure, climate resilience and underutilized properties.

“ULI New York occupies a unique position in the region’s economic development and land use landscape, bringing together public and private sector leaders in an independent, nonpartisan forum dedicated to exchanging ideas and expertise,” said Felix Ciampa, executive director of ULI New York. “Through our TAP program, we draw on this deep network of professionals to provide communities with multidisciplinary expertise and actionable recommendations to address their most pressing land use challenges. For over a decade, this collaborative approach has helped shape communities across New York.”

Key dates for the 2027 TAP program include:
• Call for Proposals Opens: October 22, 2026
• Applicant Information Sessions: November 4 and November 16, 2026
• Application Deadline: December 16, 2026
• Selected Applicant Notifications: January 2027
• Technical Assistance Panels Conducted: Spring and summer 2027
• Recommendations Delivered: Fall 2027

Connecting Expertise with Community Needs
ULI NY Technical Assistance Panels are intensive, two-day workshops addressing specific challenges identified by sponsoring organizations. Each panel draws on senior-level professionals with expertise tailored to the project, which may focus on a property, neighborhood, redevelopment opportunity or broader planning and policy issue.

Following briefings on the scope at hand, panelists tour the study area, interview stakeholders and evaluate potential solutions. Preliminary recommendations are presented at the workshop’s conclusion, followed by a comprehensive written report. The process provides sponsors with independent guidance to inform planning decisions, evaluate development alternatives and establish priorities for future action.

TAP Program Helps Address Critical Challenges Facing New York Communities
ULI NY’s TAP program has supported public agencies and community organizations in addressing complex land use, infrastructure and sustainability challenges. Recent engagements include:

Decarbonizing New York City’s Affordable Co-ops (2025): Working with the NYC Mayor’s Office of Climate & Environmental Justice, ULI NY convened real estate, sustainability, finance and housing experts to examine how large limited-equity housing cooperatives can comply with Local Law 97 while preserving affordability. The resulting report outlined a phased, 25-year decarbonization strategy, recommending stronger interagency coordination, accessible financing, expanded educational resources and solutions to regulatory barriers. The roadmap offers policymakers and housing stakeholders strategies to reduce emissions while protecting affordable housing.

Addressing Environmental Inequities Along the Cross Bronx Expressway (2024): At the request of the Reimagine the Cross Bronx study team (the New York City Department of City Planning, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, as well as the City’s and State’s Departments of Transportation), ULI NY assembled a multidisciplinary panel to explore solutions to longstanding environmental and community impacts associated with the Cross Bronx Expwy. Recommendations included reconnecting neighborhoods divided by the highway, improving pedestrian access, reducing traffic-related pollution and noise, and mitigating flooding and extreme heat. The report provides a framework for investments to improve public health, environmental conditions and neighborhood livability.

Reimagining Montefiore Einstein-Morris Park as a Transit-Connected Campus (2024): ULI NY partnered with Montefiore Health System to develop recommendations for transforming its Morris Park campus in the Bronx into a regional healthcare, wellness and employment destination. With a new Metro-North station planned for 2027 and a proposed rezoning that could support six million to nine million s/f of development and an estimated 15,000 jobs, the panel identified strategies to improve connectivity, integrate the campus with surrounding neighborhoods and expand economic opportunities. The resulting report provides a framework to inform Montefiore’s master planning and help stakeholders capitalize on major transit and development investments.

These engagements demonstrate how ULI NY connects public-sector decision-makers with specialized industry expertise to develop practical solutions to challenges involving housing affordability, environmental sustainability, infrastructure and community development.

How to Apply
Organizations interested in participating are invited to submit proposals identifying a specific land use, planning or development challenge. Selected sponsors work with ULI NY’s TAPs Steering Committee to refine the panel’s central questions and are responsible for preparing background materials, coordinating site visits and identifying stakeholders for interviews.

The fee for a two-day TAP is $25,000 in New York City and generally $35,000 outside the city, depending on travel requirements. This fee supports staff, administrative and operational expenses. Volunteer consultation from ULI NY experts as part of the TAP program offers an estimated value of more than $100,000 to communities.

For information about the program, application requirements and past engagements, visit https://newyork.uli.org/get-involved/taps/. Questions may be directed to Chris Karakul at [email protected].