Value Capture And The Federal Role
July 29, 2010
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The Government Accountability Office has sent a report to congressional committees exploring what the federal government might do to facilitate the efforts of state and local agencies to fund transit systems by capturing the value generated by the transit-oriented improvements.
The ARC Effect: Improving Transit Connections to New York City Can Boost Home Prices, Improve Job Accessibility, and Generate Tax Revenue for Communities
July 29, 2010
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A new report by the Regional Planning Association (RPA) confirms the tremendous economic benefits that public transportation can bring to communities. Construction of the trans-Hudson River tunnel as part of the Access to the Region’s Core (ARC) project could potentially raise housing values by $18 billion and generate an additional $375 million in property tax revenues for communities with stations along lines utilizing the tunnel. Households living within two miles of a transit station on the NJ TRANSIT system or MetroNorth’s Port Jervis and Pascack Valley lines could see their property values increase by $19,000. For those living within walking distance, the projected increase is even higher at $29,000. The new tunnel will also improve accessibility to midtown Manhattan, doubling the number of people living west of the Hudson River who can commute to midtown…
Making Sense Of The Partnership For Sustainable Communities
July 28, 2010
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[Editor's Note: Reconnecting America is an active participant in the sustainable communities movement and a strong supporter of the new federal Partnership for Sustainable Communities. When we learned of the Initiative for Sustainable Communities and States we asked them to tell us little about their work. Here's what they had to say.]
Putting Smart Growth To Work in Rural Communities
July 27, 2010
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10 Smart Growth Principles
Mix land uses.
Take advantage of compact design.
Create a range of housing opportunities and choices.
Create walkable communities.
Foster distinctive, attractive communities with a strong sense of place.
Preserve open space, farmland, natural beauty, and critical environmental areas.
Strengthen and direct development toward existing communities.
Provide a variety of transportation options.
Make development decisions predictable, fair, and cost-effective.
Encourage community and stakeholder collaboration in development decisions.
Smart growth is not just for metropolitan regions seeking to stem suburban sprawl. Smart growth can help create vibrant, walkable Main Streets in rural communities, while preserving historic buildings and community character, according to a new reported funded by by the U.S. Environmental Protection…
FREIGHT Act of 2010 is a major shift in national transportation policy
July 23, 2010
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Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), with co-sponsors Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) and Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), today introduced the Focusing Resources, Economic Investment, and Guidance to Help Transportation Act of 2010 (FREIGHT Act), a landmark bill seeking to transform America’s transportation policy and investment by focusing on the freight network.
The FREIGHT Act provides a comprehensive, systemic approach to infrastructure investment that addresses the nation’s commerce needs while providing a solid foundation to help our nation meet its energy, environmental and safety goals. The bill also calls for the creation of a new National Freight Infrastructure Grants initiative – a competitive, merit-based program with broad eligibility for multimodal freight investment designed to focus funds where they will provide the most public benefit.
“Poor planning and underinvestment in our transportation infrastructure has led to increased congestion…
The FREIGHT Act provides a comprehensive, systemic approach to infrastructure investment that addresses the nation’s commerce needs while providing a solid foundation to help our nation meet its energy, environmental and safety goals. The bill also calls for the creation of a new National Freight Infrastructure Grants initiative – a competitive, merit-based program with broad eligibility for multimodal freight investment designed to focus funds where they will provide the most public benefit.
“Poor planning and underinvestment in our transportation infrastructure has led to increased congestion…
Making It Easy To Connect: A Research Project
July 22, 2010
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The California PATH Program of the University of California, Berkeley, has completed a study of efforts integrate mult-modal transportation services around a Bay Area Rapid Transit District station and a new transit-oriented complex.
FAQs For Applying For Sustainability Planning Grants
July 22, 2010
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Racing against Monday's looming deadline, HUD’s Office of Sustainable Housing and Communities is rushing out extra material to help answer questions about the department's two new planning grants.
White House Livability Discussion Video
July 17, 2010
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On July 15, the White House hosted a live online discussion of "Livability" and the administration's historic Partnership for Sustainable Communities. Speakers included former Reconnecting America CEO Shelley Poticha, who is the director for the Office of Sustainable Housing at the Department of Housing and Urban Development; Beth Osborne, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy at the Department of Transportation; and Tim Torma, Deputy Director of the Office of Sustainable Communities at the Environmental Protection Agency. The moderator was Derek Douglas, Special Assistant to the President on Urban Policy at the White House.
Here's a video of the one hour discussion:
Summarizing What It Takes To Make TOD Attractive
July 15, 2010
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The Metropolitan Transportation Commission has produced a two-page summary to accompany its 50-page briefing book for city planners and managers entitled, "Choosing Where We Live: Attracting Residents to Transit-Oriented Neighborhoods in the San Francisco Bay Area."
The Intersection Of Housing And Transportation
July 15, 2010
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The National Housing Conference, Center for Housing Policy and its partners will explore the intersection of housing and transportation in Denver, Sept. 27-28, in a Partners in Innovation national symposium.
