New Study Shows Potential of Transit-Oriented Development in Pittsburgh Region
WASHINGTON, D.C. – February 8, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — The Center for Transit-Oriented Development (CTOD) today released results of a year-long studyinto the potential for transit-oriented development to unlock economic, environmental and fiscal benefits for Pittsburgh and Allegheny County.
“In an environment where we’re asked to do more with less, and make the most of our existing transit assets, the Pittsburgh region is poised to be a model,” said Abigail Thorne-Lyman, Director of CTOD. “This strategy has been developed with deep involvement from the nonprofit, public, and business sectors, meaning everyone is ready to act.”
The CTOD report, “Transit-Oriented Development Typology Strategy for Allegheny County,” was commissioned by the Pittsburgh Community Reinvestment Group under the auspices of its GoBurgh initiative and funded by the Heinz Endowments.
The study revealed some interesting findings about what is needed to support TOD in Pittsburgh, including new sources of funding for smaller scale infrastructure improvements such as pedestrian pathways and signage to help link the stations to nearby communities. It also identifies priority areas for TOD investments out of 100 stations in the rail, busway, and incline transit network, based on the readiness of those stations to be transformed into walkable, transit supportive communities. The study prioritizes stations based on three types of investments: infrastructure, new development, and building the capacity of community groups, which is a specialty of the Pittsburgh Community Reinvestment Group and its GoBurgh initiative.
“The great news is, in the world of transportation, these are relatively low-cost investments that can catalyze significant gains for these communities,” said Chris Sandvig, Regional Policy Director for the Pittsburgh Community Reinvestment Group and leader of its GoBurgh initiative. “We need to capitalize on that existing infrastructure in a comprehensive and systematic way so we can realize the economic, access, environmental and fiscal benefits of transit-oriented development.”
Copies of the report can be downloaded here.
MEDIA CONTACT:
For more information, Rebecca M. (Becky) Sullivan, Communications Director, Reconnecting America ">
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About the Center For Transit-Oriented Development
The Center for Transit-Oriented Development (CTOD) is the only national nonprofit effort dedicated to providing best practices, research and tools to support equitable market-based transit-oriented development. CTOD partners with both the public and private market sectors to strategize about ways to encourage the development of high performing communities around transit stations and to build transit systems that maximize development potential. CTOD works to integrate local and regional planning, generate new tools for economic development, real estate and investment issues, improve affordability and livability for all members of the community, and respond to imperatives for climate change and sustainability. The Center for TOD is a partnership of Reconnecting America, the Center for Neighborhood Technology, and Strategic Economics. For more information visit CTOD’s website here.>>
