Transit Improvement Areas
Overview
Transit Improvement Areas (TIAs) are specially designated tracts of land near transit stations that support bus rapid transit, light rail transit or commuter rail and have the potential to increase ridership and stimulate new commercial and residential development.
Currently, the TIA program has no available funding and is not accepting new designation applications.
When funding becomes available, designated TIAs may apply for loans to help pay for commercial, residential and mixed-use development projects that involve one or more modes of public transit, increase ridership, and provide for safe, pedestrian-friendly use.
Eligibility
Statutory cities, home rule charter cities, counties and joint powers boards are eligible applicants. Designated TIAs must encompass a half-mile radius around a transit station. Transit stations and their corridors must be operational by the year 2020. At a minimum, qualifying TIA plans must include:
- A map indicating the geographic boundaries of the transit improvement area
- An analysis of the demographic mix of people who are anticipated to use the transit station
- A description of the ownership and intended us of the public and private facilities to be constructed in the transit improvement area, including infrastructure, buildings and other structures, and parks
- A description of the pedestrian-friendly improvements to be provided, including walkways, parkways, and signage
- Astatement of findings that the redevelopment or development of the transit improvements area promotes higher density land uses resulting in increased transit ridership
- A statement of anticipated sources and amounts of local public funds
- A statement of anticipated sources and amounts of private funds
- A statement of anticipated sources and amounts of leveraged regional, state, and federal funds
- A description of the linkages to existing and proposed local, regional, and state transit systems
- A description of other factors in the proposed development to increase transit ridership
TIA plans with a residential component must propose at least 12 residential units per acre or a density bonus that allows for an increase in the number of residential units over what is permitted by the underlying zoning.
The plan must include a description of the variety of housing types - including housing appropriate for low-income persons, disabled persons, and seniors -and a breakdown of the rental or purchase prices for each housing type within the TIA.