Module 1 BUILDING QUALITY COMMUNITIES AROUND TRANSIT 1

Building Quality Communities Around Transit Module 1 Introduction This is one of seven Transit Oriented Development training modules developed by the Regional Plan Association, the Project for Public Spaces and Reconnecting America under contract to the New York State Department of Transportation in collaboration with the New York State Thruway Authority and MTA/Metro-North Railroad. The modules were presented and tested in one-day training sessions in two counties and two-day training sessions in eight municipalities, all in the lower Hudson Valley. Each module is, largely, the culmination of the versions used in the training sessions. The seven modules are as follow. Module 1: Building Quality Communities Around Transit Module 2: Changing Street Design to Support Liveable Development Module 3: Smart Parking Module 4: Creating Great Places Around Transit Module 5: Regulations and Financing Tools for TOD Module 6: Building Mixed Income Communities Around Transit Module 7: Station Area Planning

Building Quality Communities Around Transit Module 1 Quality Communities Around Transit Urban Design and Placemaking Land-Use Planning and Regulations Financing Tools and Strategies Transit Planning and Investment Street Design and Multimodal Networks

Building Quality Communities Around Transit Module 1 What it is not "One size fits all" Only high-density housing Only targeted to certain market segments Disruptive of historic centers

Building Quality Communities Around Transit Module 1 What is Transit-Oriented Development (TOD)? An approach to areas around existing and new transit that: Bethesda, MD Helps communities control and shape growth. Is sensitive to existing neighborhood character. Is connected to regional employment centers. Creates local jobs and a stronger tax base. Is built through partnerships.

Building Quality Communities Around Transit  TOD is not a new concept.  There are common components and differences.  Conscious planning helps communities shape growth to their greater benefit. 6

Building Quality Communities Around Transit Module 1 Transportation and Development: 19 th and Early 20 th Centuries Growth was concentrated in areas served by rail and water transport. Development was clustered around stations and ports. Beyond, area remained largely undeveloped. Pearl River Station Downtown Suffern today

Building Quality Communities Around Transit Module 1 Transportation and Development Mid-20 th Century Explosive growth of suburbs and auto- oriented development. Significant reduction in natural areas and green space.

Building Quality Communities Around Transit Module 1 Not One Size Fits All: Calibrate to Local Conditions  Communities are different Intensity of uses Mix of uses Existing residents and workers  Market demand and transit services are different Transit technology Access modes Location relative to community

Building Quality Communities Around Transit Module 1 TOD Capable Communities Vary Major Activity Centers Historic Downtowns Newer Office and Commercial Areas Newer Residential Areas

Building Quality Communities Around Transit Module 1 Transit Stations Vary Major Multimodal Stations Community-Scaled Multimodal Stations Walk-up Stops/Stations Local bus

Building Quality Communities Around Transit Module 1 Transit and Community Need to Work Together Transit Context Community Context Quality Communities Around Transit

Building Quality Communities Around Transit Module 1 Components of Transit-Oriented Development Walkable Neighborhoods Accessible Mix of Uses Travel Options Quality Public Spaces Community Engagement Village of West Clay, IN

Building Quality Communities Around Transit Module 1 TOD Components: Walkable Neighborhoods Streets and roads that are designed for people, not just cars. Buildings that front on the street. Designed to provide access for all. This Not this

Building Quality Communities Around Transit Module 1 Walk to shops and services. Support local businesses. Access daily needs without driving. Link trips to community uses, such as schools and libraries. Scarsdale, NY TOD Components: Accessible Mix of Uses

Building Quality Communities Around Transit Module 1 Transit can’t do it alone. Car sharing and shared parking. Bike and pedestrian connections. High-quality transit network and connections. TOD Components: Travel Options Palisades Trailway, Orangetown, NY Milwaukee, WI

Building Quality Communities Around Transit Module 1 Are gathering places and opportunities for interaction. Reflect local character and community. Are venues for activities. Demonstrate positive public investment in community and transit. San Francisco, CA TOD Components: Quality Public Spaces East Orange, NJ

Building Quality Communities Around Transit Module 1 TOD Components: Community Engagement Has outreach and meaningful involvement in planning process. Has long-term strategy and collaboration. Has clear implementation steps so everyone can see progress.

Building Quality Communities Around Transit Module 1 Benefits of Transit-Oriented Development 1.Economic Development 2.Lower Housing and Transportation Costs 3.Placemaking 4.Environmental and Public Health 5.Community and Historic Preservation 6.Meets Market Demand 7.Improved Transportation System Performance 8.Transportation Choices

Building Quality Communities Around Transit Module 1 Benefit 1: Economic Development Increases property values and tax revenue. Has value-capture opportunities. Jobs in accessible locations. Bronxville, NY

Building Quality Communities Around Transit Module 1 Land Value Increases with Proximity to Transit

Building Quality Communities Around Transit Module 1 Attracts investment through public / private partnerships. Increases tax base through property value premiums. Transit is a catalyst for economic development

Building Quality Communities Around Transit Module 1 Transit is a catalyst for economic development Maplewood, NJ Phoenix, AZ Bradley Beach, NJ New InvestmentReinvestment Flickr user: Daniel Greene

Building Quality Communities Around Transit Module 1 Benefit 2: Reduced Housing and Transportation Costs People choose to own fewer cars and drive less. Greater concentrated local spending power. Opportunities emerge to link a range of incomes and household types with other amenities. Mixed-Income Transit-Oriented Development in Boston

Building Quality Communities Around Transit Module 1 Households Near Transit Spend Less on Transportation Source: Center for TOD Housing + Transportation Affordability Index, 2004 Bureau of Labor Statistics

Building Quality Communities Around Transit Module 1 Housing + Transportation Costs Areas near transit have lowest combined H &T costs. Many people spend more than 60 percent of income on H & T. Transit investment is an affordability strategy.

Building Quality Communities Around Transit Module 1 Benefit 3: Placemaking THISNOT THIS

Building Quality Communities Around Transit Module 1 Benefit 4: Environmental and Public Health Driving is rising faster than population; physical activity is declining. Cars and light trucks account for 1/6 of domestic GHG emissions. Obesity is 10 percent of total US health-care costs. Portland, OR Palisades Trailway

Building Quality Communities Around Transit Module 1 Benefit 5: Community and Historic Preservation Opportunity to reinforce existing development. Reinvestment in historic buildings. Reuse of vacant or abandoned buildings. Historic Preservation tax credit. Tarrytown, NY

Building Quality Communities Around Transit Module 1 Benefit 6: Market Demand is Met Neighborhoods can respond to 21 st century desires. Housing for working families. Tarrytown, NY Pelham Village Housing demand responds to transit investment.

Building Quality Communities Around Transit Module 1 Benefit 7: Improved Transportation System Performance Reduced congestion and travel time. Access and connections to regional transportation systems. PHOTOS/GRAPHICS TO BE ADDED Woodbridge, NJ Tappan Zee Express

Building Quality Communities Around Transit Module 1 Reduce congestion and travel time Focus activity around transit to reduce vehicle trips. Link bike, pedestrian and street networks.

Building Quality Communities Around Transit Module 1 Benefit 8: Transportation Choice Higher transit ridership Increased walking and biking Reduced auto ownership and use Shorter commutes Existing Commute Mode within ½-mile of station StationTransitWalkBike Nanuet9%1%0.3% Spring Valley12%3%0.4% Suffern12%4%1.6% Tarrytown19%8%0.2% White Plains21%9%0.1% Port Chester13%12%0.1% Source: US Census 2000 and Center for TOD National TOD Database

Building Quality Communities Around Transit Module 1 Benefits come from better connections to the regional transportation system Transportation Choice  Improved access to rail.  New bus rapid transit and rail investment.  Seamless and pleasant transit transfers.

How are Quality Communities Around Transit Built? Community engagement and visioning Public investment in transit, streets, parks Private investment in existing places and new development Station Area and Development Plans Community Benefits Agreements z z Capital Improvement Plans Programming and Management TOD Zoning Joint Development Financing tools (IDA, TIF)

Module 1 QUESTIONS? COMMENTS? 36