Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) and Employment
May 11, 2011|Center for Transit-Oriented Development
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Executive Summary
Historically, many regional transit systems were designed in a “hub and spoke” pattern, focusing on moving residents from relatively low-density residential communities to a single high-density employment center – typically the region’s historic central business district (CBD). In general, these systems have worked well for those workers with jobs in central cities. The effectiveness of this kind of system hinges directly on the density of the jobs co-located in close proximity to each other and within a short distance of transit stations.
Although CBDs and downtowns remain important regional employment locations, American cities have experienced significant decentralization over the last 60 years, as job centers have shifted from urban downtowns to suburban communities. This “employment sprawl” has helped to generate much of the traffic congestion experienced across regions today, contributing to over 100 billion dollars in lost time and fuel every…
Access for Value: Financing Transportation Through Land Value Capture
May 2, 2011|Metropolitan Policy Program, Brookings
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I. Introduction
The worsening financial state of the federal, state, and local governments is a frequent subject in media and political circles. As discretionary expenditures, transportation programs likely face significant changes if they are to cope with spending cuts across all levels of government. These changes would require not only reprioritizing the use of scarce funds, cutting ineffective programs, and improving the performance of remaining programs, but also encouraging states and local partners to find other sources of funding for transportation.
Measuring accessibility is an essential tool in such a makeover because it reveals the benefits of a transportation system. Accessibility is the ease of reaching valued destinations, such as jobs, shops, schools, entertainment, and recreation. As such, accessibility creates value. Capturing some of this value would allow state and local governments to invest in the operations, maintenance, and in some cases expansion of their…
Rails to Real Estate: Development Patterns Along Three New Transit Lines
March 21, 2011|Center for Transit-Oriented Development
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Executive Summary
This report documents real estate development patterns along three recently constructed light rail transit lines in the United States. This topic is important for local planning practitioners, transit agencies, community members and other stakeholders in their efforts to plan for new transit investments and foster transit-oriented development (TOD). Setting realistic expectations about the scale, timing and location of private investment along new transit lines is especially critical where new development is expected to help pay for needed transit improvements, neighborhood amenities, or other community benefits.
The three transit lines examined in this report are the Hiawatha Line in the Minneapolis-St. Paul region, the Southeast Corridor in the Denver region, and the Blue Line in the Charlotte region. The report examines residential and commercial development that occurred within a half-mile of stations along the three lines. Development is evaluated in the…
Understanding the Impacts of Transitways: How Light-Rail Transit Improves Job Access for Low-Wage Workers
March 1, 2010
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Project Fast Facts
The number of low-wage jobs accessible by 30 minutes of transit travel in morning peak hours increased by 14,000 jobs in light-rail station areas and by 4,000 jobs in areas with direct light-rail bus connections after the addition of the Hiawatha line and related transit network upgrades.
After light-rail construction, low-wage workers are locating near station areas. Hiawatha and related transit upgrades are estimated to have drawn 907 low-wage workers into the Hiawatha station areas. Out of the 907 relocated workers, 78 percent moved to areas near the Cedar-Riverside, Franklin Avenue, and Lake Street-Midtown stations.
The number of low-wage jobs has increased near station areas. Hiawatha and related transit upgrades are estimated to have brought more than 5,000 low-wage jobs into areas near downtown Minneapolis and suburban Bloomington light-rail stations.
Preserving Affordability and Access in Livable Communities: Subsidized Housing Opportunities Near Transit and the 50+ Population
September 30, 2009
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Executive Summary
INTRODUCTION
A livable community has affordable and appropriate housing, supportive features and services, and adequate mobility options for people, regardless of age or ability. As communities address the general shortage of affordable housing, preserving affordable housing in transit-oriented developments (TODs) is one of the challenges that communities can address to increase their livability.
TODs are compact, walkable, mixed-use communities that are developed around high-quality public transportation. Residents often prize these places for the advantages created by the proximity to transportation and other amenities. One consequence of this desirability is that it can increase land and property values, exacerbating housing affordability challenges.
As policymakers try to extend the benefits of TODs to affordable housing locations, they must ensure that those benefits are available to people of low and moderate incomes and to those with different mobility…
Twin Cities CTLUS Initiatve: Identifying and Evaluating Regionally Significant Walkable Urban Places
January 1, 2009|Urban Land Institute
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CTOD report provides methodology for assessing and boosting the walkability of existing activity centers. As demographic trends, quality of life concerns, and personal preferences shift, more and more residents of the Twin Cities region are looking to live in walkable neighborhoods with access to shops and services and alternatives to driving. These demands—also seen in national trends—will form an ever-greater segment of the real estate market in the coming decades. Responding to these trends will be necessary to preserve the economic strength and competitiveness of the Twin Cities region.
Light Rail Transit Construction Impact Mitigation Strategies: Case Studies and Recommendations for the Central Corridor
December 21, 2007
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Introduction
The proposed Central Corridor Light Rail Transit (LRT) line stretching from downtown Minneapolis to downtown Saint Paul has the potential to revitalize the neighborhoods it passes through. Projected to carry nearly 43,270 passengers daily by the year 2030, the line is an opportunity for significant investment in the local economy through transportation infrastructure improvements. When completed, the increased mobility and accessibility along the corridor will provide opportunities for increased economic activity and provide existing businesses with the ability to reach new markets.
Many of the business owners along the corridor, however, are concerned about the negative impacts the construction process may bring. The proposed transit line is scheduled to begin a three year construction phase in 2010. Construction of light rail, like any large construction process, can significantly disrupt the normal business operations along a corridor. Potential impacts include the…
Minneapolis Streetcar Feasibility Study
December 1, 2007|City of Minneapolis
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This Streetcar Feasibility Study is being conducted in conjunction with the Access Minneapolis Ten-Year Transportation Action Plan, which lays the groundwork for transportation improvements that are designed to meet the long-term objectives of the Minneapolis Plan, the City’s comprehensive plan.
Penn Avenue & West Broadway Avenue: Transit-Oriented Development Design Guidelines
August 2, 2006
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Purpose
The design guidelines in this study report for Transit-Oriented Development in the North Minneapolis Penn-West Broadway Avenue redevelopment area are the result of a nine-month long public planning process.
The intersection of Penn-West Broadway Avenue will be the location for an inbound and outbound Bottineau Boulevard Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) station, scheduled for construction in late 2006. The BRT stations will be heated, well-lit and partially enclosed, with ticket machines for off-board fare collection and real-time information kiosks that show the arrival time of the next bus. Bus Rapid Transit combines ef. ciency, speed and the lower cost of buses using service features such as limited stops and signal priority.
These design guidelines present the vision of the West Broadway Community Advisory Committee and the West Broadway community for the future and should inspire and guide redevelopment within the Penn-West Broadway Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) District.
Transportation and Employment: Access to Growing Job Centers
April 5, 2006|Region: Planning the Future of the Twin Cities
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Like most metropolitan areas, the Twin Cities has seen dramatic decentralization of population and jobs during recent decades. These trends have not been as dramatic in the Twin Cities as in many other metropolitan areas for several reasons. The region is home to one of the strongest regional planning organizations in the country – the Twin Cities Metropolitan Council – and it boasts the country’s only region-wide tax-base sharing program – the Twin Cities Fiscal Disparities Program. As a result, sprawl rates and fiscal inequality are not as great as in many regions. The region’s core cities – Minneapolis and St. Paul – have also fared well economically compared with many other central cities.
