ULI–the Urban Land Institute is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit research and education organization supported by its members. Founded in 1936, the institute now has more than 40,000 members worldwide representing the entire spectrum of land use and real estate development disciplines, working in private enterprise and public service. As the preeminent, multidisciplinary real estate forum, ULI facilitates the open exchange of ideas, information and experience among local, national and international industry leaders and policy makers dedicated to creating better places.

The mission of the Urban Land Institute is to provide leadership in the responsible use of land and in creating and sustaining thriving communities worldwide.

Members say that ULI is a trusted idea place where leaders come to grow professionally and personally through sharing, mentoring, and problem solving. With pride, ULI members commit to the best in land use policy and practice.

The Detroit District Council of ULI (ULI Detroit) was formed in 1999. Starting with just a few members, ULI Detroit has grown to more than 400 members.

The current chairmen, Jim Bieri and Robin Boyle, head a group of Executive Committee members comprised of the Detroit area’s leading developers, academics and public officials. In quarterly meetings they discuss the future of Detroit and its surrounding areas, as well as how ULI Detroit can reach out to the community and bring quality programs and other networking opportunities to other real estate professionals.

In May 2008, ULI Detroit honored Jerome Schostak with its’ Fourth Annual Lifetime Achievement Award. With more than 700 Detroit real estate professionals gathering to honor Mr. Schostak for his contributions to the real estate community, and charitable and philanthropic endeavors. In February 2008, ULI Detroit held a highly regarded half day conference on “Surviving the Michigan Economy.” ULI senior vice president of District Councils, Mike Horst, President of Detroit Renaissance, Doug Rothwell, and lead architect for Gensler Detroit, Bill Hartman were among the keynote speakers, followed by a panel discussion consisting of the heads of eight Michigan based companies with varied focuses that have endured the Michigan recession by retaining business deals in other states. After the success of the 21^st Annual UM-ULI Real Estate Forum in Troy covering Detroit Transit, the forum will be moving to Grand Rapids, October 15-16 to cover a success story of regionalism titled West Side Story: Grand Rapids, Grand Vision, Grand Region.”

Recently, ULI Detroit offered its resources to the community by sponsoring a major study on the Eastern Market. After a weeklong review and analysis of the Detroit landmark, a ULI advisory panel concluded that the Eastern Market is an unpolished gem capable of becoming one of the region’s crown jewels. City of Detroit Chief Development Officer, Walt Watkins, praised ULI’s work as “a very comprehensive presentation” from which many of the recommendations, including the Market’s privatization, have been implemented.