Transit Oriented Development (TOD) is the clustering of services like food, housing, jobs and amenities around transportation stations. It is a key element to the success of projects like Lowcountry Rapid Transit (LCRT). Last month, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) awarded approximately $11 million to 20 projects in 12 states via its Pilot Program for Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Planning.

Through this program, the Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of Governments (BCDCOG) was awarded $860,000 to engage in comprehensive planning efforts to improve access to public transportation and plan for TOD. The BCDCOG stated that the funding will allow them to employ TOD tools developed in the first phase of TOD planning including:

• Equitable Infrastructure and Housing Needs Assessment
• Fiscal Impacts/Benefits Analysis of Equitable TOD Strategies
• eTOD (equitable TOD) Implementation Support – Codes, Ordinances, Affordable Housing
• Development and Adoption
• Market Assessment and Community Viz Update
• Public Engagement

The final decision from the FTA for LCRT will come in March. LCRT must receive medium rating for project justification and financial commitment criteria to move forward into the engineering phase. The Chamber considers the 21.5-mile line essential for future business and economic development. The business community can help by continuing to advocate for the LCRT project and TOD. To learn more about the BCDCOG’s TOD grant, click here.