Mary Scott NabersCities and counties throughout the U.S. are benefitting from funding that is readily available for transit-oriented development (TOD). Economic development teams have seen the boost of economic vitality that this type of initiative brings to local communities, and the result is that private sector developers and public officials nationwide will be delivering housing, retail and new communities located near public transit stations for the next several years.
TOD projects, supported by federal funding, focus on building housing and mixed-use communities near public transit stations to encourage public transportation. This type of new commercial development with housing, retail, parkland and community gathering spaces is often linked to parks, trails and bicycle infrastructure. Some of the newly created communities have libraries, community centers and schools.
Federal funding support is available because TOD projects result in reduced greenhouse gas emissions, thereby contributing to the federal government’s goal of net-zero emissions by 2050. Many planned TOD developments are scheduled to launch in 2025, but many others are set for launch before the end of 2024. The following examples of upcoming projects are similar to others that can be found throughout the U.S. currently.
One extremely large TOD initiative is being planned by Sound Transit of Seattle. This development will be designed to deliver new light rail lines with ample room to promote transit-oriented development near the new stations. The overall effort is expected to cost at least $100 million.
The new stations will help promote development in nearby residential areas and also create new TOD areas. Housing opportunities will be expanded to prioritize affordable housing options, and the overall effort will support attractive, walkable neighborhoods in communities along with retail and entertainment venues. This large initiative is currently in the design phase, and procurement is expected in 2025 or 2026.
In California, the El Cerrito Plaza transit station will soon benefit from a transformative urban project designed to create a pedestrian-friendly, transit-focused community with great access to the transit station has been announced. The California Strategic Growth Council made $39 million available to support Phase I, which will include the construction of 70 affordable housing units and the project has secured another $134 million in federal funding.
On-site amenities for family housing will include a community room, service provider offices, a mail room, on-site laundry, and landscaped open spaces for residents. Construction is scheduled to begin in the summer of 2025 and the project will also include various transit and infrastructure improvements. The overall project will include six buildings, with construction expected to commence on all buildings by 2027. The entire development has a completion date of 2029.
The Pleasant Valley Rapid Line, a bus route extension that enhances public transportation for underserved communities east of Interstate 35 in Austin, Texas, will be boosted by a TOD development initiative. As part of the city’s large-scale transit plan, Project Connect, the Pleasant Valley line will span 15 miles and have 22 stations that connect southeast and northeast Austin neighborhoods. The planned TOD includes a community recreation center, community college facility and several medical centers.
The project will support sustainable growth around transit hubs in Austin. The transit authority will invest $300 million to anti-displacement efforts, focused on acquiring properties within 1 mile of new transit lines. City officials have acquired 66 acres of undeveloped land for mixed-income housing and other facilities. The total project cost is estimated at $52.7 million with an additional $2 million earmarked for a Park and Ride area.
Currently in the pre-construction phase, with no RFP issued yet, construction is planned for 2025. More details are expected over the next several months.
A TOD project in Newark, New Jersey, will deliver a 14-story, mixed-use development located directly across from New Jersey Transit’s Broad Street Station. This $150 million project will include 350 residential units, with 20% allocated for affordable housing. It will feature 8,500 square feet of retail space designed to make the area more attractive to residents and also support Newark’s economic growth.
Residents will have access to a wide range of amenities, including a health club, swimming pool, and electric vehicle charging stations. The TOD project will create a pedestrian-friendly environment, improving access to public transit and promoting a walkable, family-centered community near one of the city’s key transportation hubs. The state is supporting the project with up to $90 million in tax credits. The project is currently in the pre-construction phase, with groundbreaking scheduled for mid-2025.
In North Carolina, a Research Triangle Park Mobility Hub is planned, and it will expand and modernize the transit network near the city of Raleigh. Valued at $58.2 million, the project will connect multiple services, including bus rapid transit, paratransit and the future Triangle Bikeway. It will also feature electric bus-charging infrastructure and micromobility options such as e-scooters and e-bikes. The development will be strategically located less than a mile from a $1.5 billion downtown mixed-use development in Research Triangle Park. It will deliver 1,200 residential units, office spaces, retail and hotel accommodations, making it a cornerstone of transit-oriented development in the region. The mobility hub’s connection to the new development will provide safe pedestrian pathways and direct access to housing, retail amenities and employment in a walkable, sustainable community.
Project components will include a transit center with 12 bus bays, a climate-controlled waiting area, public restrooms, Wi-Fi and device charging stations. Multi-modal connections will be enhanced by adjacent bikeways, pedestrian pathways and a signalized crossing of NC 54. The project will also deliver a park-and-ride facility with 100 parking spaces where the EV charging stations will be located.
The San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART), along with the city of Berkeley, will address housing and commercial needs of the community surrounding the transit area with a $26.5 million project. The effort will deliver affordable housing in an infrastructure-rich area, strategically positioned to enhance broad access to regional transit, economic opportunities and community amenities.
The future development area will dedicate 6 acres to an east and west parking lot. To prepare for the development initiative, the Adeline roadway will be reconfigured to be more pedestrian and bicycle friendly. A developer and contractors will be chosen in late 2024 or early 2025.
These examples of upcoming TOD projects point to a large sweeping trend in America. Congressional funding is available to support public transportation aggressively with a goal of delivering cleaner air and sustainability. These public private collaborative efforts will continue to offer contracting opportunities of every type and size throughout the country over the next several years.
Photo courtesy David Wilson from Oak Park, Illinois, USA
