Transit Oriented Development

The 2005 Comprehensive Plan depicts Activity Centers where growth is located at major interchanges. Further study has demonstrated that these mixed-use, pedestrian friendly developments are better suited along major transit lines connecting urban areas and employment centers for a number of reasons, including:

• Existing infrastructure provides opportunity for efficient infill and redevelopment
• Greater opportunity for various modes of mobility
• Reduced traffic congestion and oil dependence
• Increased public health through: walkability, lowered emissions, reduced impervious surfaces, and incentives for brownfield remediation
• Revitalized neighborhoods and increased social interaction
• Strengthened local and regional economy
• Lessened development pressure on surrounding greenfields
• Property value stability
• Walkable neighborhoods with a greater range of housing opportunities
• Compact, mixed use development supporting a higher level of public transit service

Talent Centers

These transit-oriented developments will function as Talent Centers by helping the region to be recognized as having an excellent quality of living and continue to attract talent and companies. Additionally, the talent drawn to this corridor and the amenities offered by the region will add to the vibrancy of the urban core, generating private investment and adding to the tax base. With increased awareness of these benefits comes increasingly community interest in transforming these auto-corridors into transit corridors and shifting public and private investment.