What is Transit Oriented Development (TOD)?
Sound Transit Board Motion 45 defines TOD as public and private development supporting transit use by emphasizing pedestrian and transit access, clustering development, and mixing land uses and activities.
Why is TOD a Part of Sound Transit?
- 1996 - Adoption of Sound Move Appendix D - policy committments to link land use and transportation as part of FTA New Starts Guidelines
- 1997 - Motion 36, TOD Task Force Created
- 1997 - Motion 45 adopted principles, mission and work program of the TOD Task Force
- 1998 - Motion 98-25 adopted TOD policies
- 1999 - Resolution99-35 Real Property Disposition Policy, Procedures and Guidelines for the disposition of surplus real property
- 1999 - Motion 99-60 creation of TOD Criteria
- 2000 - Motion 2000-90 creation of the TOD program budget and work plan
Overview
The Sound Transit Board established the Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Program in 1997. Its mission is to create transit supportive development and communities at Sound Transit facilities, stations, and station areas by working with local jurisdictions, property owners and developers. The TOD Program is focused on four main activities:
Technical Assistance
The Real Estate Division provides expertise to Sound Transit as well as to cities, counties, and not-for-profit agencies within the district. That assistance has included a joint development and TOD feasibility for the Federal Way Transit Center, Mercer Island Park-and-Ride, Downtown Kirkland Transit Center, Issaquah Park and Ride, station area and station location analysis for North Link light rail, continuing support and technical assistance to the City of Sumner Town Center Plan and evaluating TOD and capital improvement issues at the Sounder commuter rail Tukwila Station.
The program has also created station/facility profiles that describe existing conditions within a quarter-mile radius. This information is available for use by local jurisdictions and developers.
Facility Enhancement
Another function of TOD is to promote partnerships to develop or redevelop improvements to existing facilities that support transit and pedestrian connections and increased ridership. For example, TOD Program funds spurred a public/private partnership to jointly fund a pedestrian signal and crosswalk across Ash Way between the Ash Way Park-and-Ride and the transit-supportive Newberry Square mixed-use development.
Strategic Acquisition
TOD's strategic acquisition program identifies potential sites to preserve or create TOD opportunities by working with local jurisdictions, property owners and developers. Acquiring the WA State Department of Transportation's Woodinville Park-and-Ride property for a mixed use TOD project has been a major focus. The Program also assisted the City of Sumner in looking at private property acquisitions for increasing downtown housing density.
Broker/Catalyst/Partner
This element of the TOD Program involves building relationships with clients and partners to create increased ridership through appropriate development at stations and transit facilities. For example, at the Link light rail Othello Station, the TOD Program provided pre-development design assistance for a potential joint mixed-use development that has proceeded through the City of Seattle's Early Design Review process.
Contact Information
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Scott Kirkpatrick |
