FTA initiates transit-oriented development technical assistance program

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has launched a nationwide initiative to help communities with transit-oriented development (TOD) projects.

The measure allows communities to apply for TOD-related technical assistance, such as help with planning for and managing economic development near transit systems through zoning and land use, FTA officials said in a press release. The FTA previously tapped Smart Growth America (SGA) to run the TOD Technical Assistance Initiative and provide a variety of planning and analysis tools.

Along with developing best practices and profiles of communities that have successfully implemented TOD, SGA will work on site with leaders in several communities to offer in-depth technical assistance tailored to local needs, FTA officials said. The assistance also includes providing advice on preserving affordable housing and securing commercial development.

"Our TOD initiative will help community leaders think about how investment in transit can bring prosperity into low- and moderate-income communities," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. "We've seen how investment in transit can lead to new housing stock, new jobs and new economic opportunities in areas that badly need them. To achieve results, we are offering to help local leaders create sound, equitable community-sensitive development plans."

Community leaders can apply for technical assistance at the project's website, which also will house information and tools to support TOD planning and deployment. Additionally, the site will create a network to provide information on funding and training opportunities, on-demand research and analysis, and peer-to-peer meetings and mentoring topics of shared concern, FTA officials said.