The City of San Antonio and Via Metropolitan Transit’s collaborative efforts to support development around planned or existing transit projects just received a big boost. San Antonio is one of nine cities selected to receive technical assistance for transit-oriented development by the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Transit Administration (FTA), in partnership with Smart Growth America.
The National Public Transportation/Transit-Oriented Development Technical Assistance Initiative is a four-year project that focuses on supporting the efforts of local communities across the country to build compact, mixed-use, equitable development around transit stations. The initiative aims to help communities create stronger neighborhoods around their transit service and encourage cities to get the most value out of their investment dollars by capitalizing on the access that transit provides.
“As the Mayor of San Antonio and an urban planner, I know the impact that transit-oriented development can have on revitalizing communities. This grant award extends the ladders of opportunity directly to residents, using strategies that support equitable, appropriate development linked to transit service and is consistent with the city of San Antonio SA Tomorrow initiative,” Mayor Ivy R. Taylor said.
FTA engaged Smart Growth America to provide a variety of planning and analysis tools tailored to meet local needs. The technical assistance will include planning for and managing economic development near transit through effective zoning and land use, as well as expert advice on preserving affordable housing and securing advantageous commercial development, among other opportunities.
“VIA appreciates the important collaboration with our City of San Antonio partners to leverage existing transit investments to attract additional affordable housing, commercial development, and jobs for our community,” VIA President and CEO Jeffrey C. Arndt said. “The FTA/Smart Growth America opportunity will advance public transportation while encouraging policies and initiatives that address transportation choice in a visionary manner, and enhance community preservation and placemaking.”
San Antonio is among the following cities selected to participate in the program: Stamford, CT; Honolulu, HI; Moline, IL; Louisville, KY; Kansas City, MO; Oklahoma City, OK; Lynnwood, WA; and Richmond, VA.
