Council adopts transit-oriented development policy for Minneapolis

The Minneapolis region's Metropolitan Council recently adopted a transit-oriented development (TOD) policy that will enable the council to play a leadership role in the planning and implementation of TOD.

The council will establish a TOD office at Metro Transit to partner with communities to advance TOD, which council officials believe will improve the region's mobility and generate economic benefits, according to a prepared statement posted on the council's website.

"We have a big stake in successful TOD, as the regional agency charged with building and operating the transit system, guiding regional development and transportation investments, supporting affordable housing, and providing regional access to opportunity," said Council Chair Susan Haigh.

The new TOD office will serve as a first point of contact for TOD partners, said Metro Transit General Manager Brian Lamb.

"Our goal is to leverage the considerable legal, real estate, service development and other expertise we already have at the Council, and with a relatively modest investment maximize the impact of our work on TOD," he said.

Early next year, a TOD advisory committee will be appointed that will include developers, local government representatives and other partners. The group will advise the council's TOD direction, assess progress toward the TOD policy and goals, and review the annual work plan, officials said.