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Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) is rolling out an initiative designed to promote transit-oriented development around stations.

Nicknamed "Take it to the T," the initiative encourages the use of publicly owned land to create residential and commercial centers, and pedestrian districts around transit stations.

"Our program encourages development where it is needed, where it contributes new jobs, new housing and new amenities to the region and the local communities without eating up … valuable open space," said Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney in a prepared statement.

During the next few months, the Massachusetts Office of Commonwealth Development plans to develop a request for proposal for land near MBTA’s Wonderland Station in Revere, Mass., which authority officials have identified as the site for the first planned development.

Revere city officials are trying to develop three acres near the station to attract commercial, retail and residential development; MBTA and the Department of Conservation and Recreation own about 10 acres.