Regional Transit Oriented Development Goals and FTA TOD Pilot Grants
FTA TOD Planning Pilot Program – The Twin Cities
The Metro Transit TOD Office, a division of Metropolitan Council, teamed up with Hennepin County to secure FTA TOD Pilot Program Grants for the METRO Blue Line Light Rail Transit (LRT) Extension Project, and Washington County to secure a grant for the METRO Gold Line Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Project.
The purpose of these grants, which totaled $2,200,000 in federal funds matched by $952,500 in local funds, was to foster transit oriented development by completing a scope of services, centered on advanced station area planning, in collaboration with the cities along the alignment and the Project Offices responsible for designing and engineering the transit projects.
Following the completion of the grant projects, the TOD office compiled a report (linked below) to discuss how each grant advanced the four goals found in the Metropolitan Council’s TOD Strategic Action Plan, and to discuss best practices for TOD advanced station area planning explored within each grant project. In addition to the report, consultants prepared comprehensive summaries for both the Gold Line BRT and the Blue Line Extension LRT covering major tasks, key outcomes, and links to further reports documenting the planning efforts.
To learn more, check out the report and summaries:
Regional TOD Advancement through FTA TOD Pilot Program (2021)
About the TOD Office
Metro Transit TOD is a one-stop shop for developers and urban planning professionals interested in pursuing or advancing Transit Oriented Development (TOD) in the Twin Cities.
The Metro Transit TOD Office is a branch of the Metropolitan Council and was founded in coordination with the region’s TOD Policy. As part of this policy, the TOD Office works to advance the following goals in all of our work:
1. Maximize the development impact of transit investments by integrating transportation, jobs and housing.
2. Support regional economic competitiveness by leveraging private investment.
3. Advance equity by improving multimodal access to opportunity for all.
4. Support a 21st century transportation system through increased ridership and revenues.
Questions? Please contact the TOD Office.
How can the TOD Office help you?
The TOD Office offers expertise, resources and connections to the Twin Cities and national TOD network.
We strive to be a resource for any TOD-related question or project, large or small, and will connect you to the right property owner, funding opportunities or organization to get you what you need. Additionally, the TOD Office is also equipped to help with:
Resources for TOD planning professionals
If you are a local planner seeking assistance with integrating TOD into your comprehensive plan; understanding the roles of the various levels of government involved in planning and implementing TOD; or in search of local case studies, initiatives and lessons learned; take a look at the Metropolitan Council TOD Guide and related resources.
Welcome to Metro Transit TOD! Click below to learn how WE can help YOU.
What is TOD?
TOD is walkable urban development supported by high quality, frequent transit service. TOD includes a mix of housing, retail, employment, retail and recreational choices, allowing people to live and work in vibrant places with less dependence on a personal car.
TOD plays a vital role in maximizing the impact of transit investments, increasing regional competitiveness and advancing equity and health.
Contact us
TOD@metrotransit.org
Michael Krantz, PE,
LEED-AP ND
Acting Program Manager
Kathryn Hansen
Senior Project Manager
Clayton Watercott
Planner - GIS
Amy Yoder
Planner