Launched in October 2008, the ULI/Curtis Regional Infrastructure Project addresses the relationship between infrastructure and land use, including sustainability and housing, at the regional level. It aims to improve decision-making and develop national models of best practices.

Three principles organize and guide the work of the Curtis Project. Convene the resources of the private, public and non-profit sectors. Take advocacy into the implementation stage. Advance technical innovation.

The Curtis Project is a pilot project of ULI’s Infrastructure Initiative that currently works in four regions and at the national level: ULI Chicago ULI Florida ULI Minnesota ULI Seattle

The Curtis Project is supported by ULI trustee James Curtis.

Focus on Implementation: Through extensive member involvement and outreach to local officials across the tri-state area that makes up Greater Chicago, ULI Chicago is analyzing planned infrastructure and development projects, identifying those critical to the region, and building momentum for implementation. ULI Chicago’s infrastructure prioritization process is attracting the attention of leaders from across the metropolitan area.

Lakeshore Industrial Heritage Corridor: The first “test run” of the infrastructure prioritization method has produced a list of 13 infrastructure and development projects for the bi-state area on the Chicago/Indiana border. Supported by a discussion paper, ULI Chicago is in the process of reaching out to decision-makers in the corridor.

Suburban Infrastructure Study: The infrastructure prioritization process is underway for major projects located in the Chicago’s suburban areas and critical to the entire region.

Infrastructure Finance: Given today’s economic and investment climate, analysis is also underway that is exploring new infrastructure finance methods, using case studies on projects identified during the infrastructure prioritization process.

Statewide Approach to Land Use and Transportation: Connecting Florida is led by the five District Councils in Florida (ULI SE Florida/Caribbean, ULI Central Florida, ULI North Florida, ULI Southwest Florida, and ULI Tampa Bay) and committed to the integration of land use and transportation, including increased transit connectivity.

Educational and Outreach Strategy: Connecting Florida is organized around a year-long educational and outreach strategy. The effort began in 2009 with a briefing paper timed to coincide with the Florida state legislature’s special session on regional transit service. The release of the report, Connecting Florida: Transit + Florida’s Economy, launched outreach activity at the metropolitan level.

Outreach in Action: See the Connecting Florida web page.
Report: Connecting Florida: Transit + Florida’s Economy.

Partnerships: ULI Minnesota’s Curtis Project is based around partnerships between ULI Minnesota members representing the development community and diverse groups including the Regional Council of Mayors, the McKnight Foundation, the Itasca Project (whose 40+ participants include primarily private-sector CEOs), the Metropolitan Council, the Center for Transit-Oriented Development and numerous city and county governments and other organizations.

More Information: The CTLUS web page contains additional details about CTLUS programs and research.

CTLUS Highlights

• CTLUS in the Southwest Corridor: With the assistance of ULI Minnesota, the cities and county along the new southwest corridor light rail line are collaborating on land use strategies in advance of engineering for the line.
• Metropolitan Centers and Walkability Indicators: Analysis of the Twin Cities major employment centers includes the development of a tool to assess their “walkability.” This work is being done in partnership with the Center for Transit-Oriented Development (CTOD).
• “Back to the Future: Aligning the Twin Cities Metro to a New Economy”: Based around the message “winning metros will invest in infrastructure and create quality places,” this educational presentation tool is available for use across the region.
• Forums and Workshops: CTLUS also regularly sponsors educational programs, including on Bus Rapid Transit in December 2009 and on Public/Private Partnerships in April 2010.

Bus Rapid Transit and Land Use: In January 2011 ULI Seattle embarked on a six-month BRT and Land Use Initiative designed to explore development in conjunction with King County’s new RapidRide BRT service. Partnering with the cities of Seattle and Shoreline and King County Metro Transit, the group is focusing on how to coordinate land use and development opportunities near the BRT stations, examining issues such as the inclusion of affordable housing and public-private partnerships to leverage the full potential of BRT as a community amenity, an economic growth catalyst, and an aid to environmental conservation. A BRT breakfast program held March 22 introduced members to RapidRide and presented case studies of BRT in Kansas City and in the Twin Cities.

Recognized Resource on Infrastructure: ULI Seattle is expanding its position as a recognized resource on infrastructure for the region and is supporting the planning and development of regional transit systems.

TOD Partnerships: Building on the April 2008 Reality Check regional visioning exercise, ULI Seattle is leading efforts to build a more sustainable region by coordinating transit investments with land development. ULI Seattle is working with the Puget Sound Regional Council and the Quality Growth Alliance to build TOD partnerships in key light rail and bus rapid transit corridors.

Innovations Workshop – Building a Sustainable Region with Vibrant Transit Neighborhoods: Held in June 2009, This day-long workshop brought together public officials and local and outside experts to assess coordinating light rails stations and neighborhood development for three light rail stations.

Waterfront revitalization: ULI Seattle is advising the city of Seattle on the opportunities that the removal of the Alaskan Way Viaduct, an elevated expressway, will bring for public green space and waterfront revitalization.