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DRCOG TOD Program on a Mission
A little over a year ago, the DRCOG Board directed the TOD program to pursue a mission -- provide relevant and timely information that helps policy makers, business leaders and the general public make informed decisions about TOD.
It quickly became apparent how big a challenge this was. Every jurisdiction is different, every station area is different and the staff and elected officials in each jurisdiction are all at different places on the learning curve.
The strategy quickly became one of stimulating informed dialogue. By doing so, DRCOG and partnering organizations provide the opportunity for the most relevant and timely issues to be raised by members of the public and private sectors.
DRCOG's TOD efforts have been successful. The dialogue has raised the key issues that will support or impede the success of TOD in the Denver region. These issues include:
- Developing Regional Priorities: Establishing regional priorities and corridor strategies will help local jurisdictions plan for how their TODs fit within the corridor and region.
- Collaborating and Developing Partnerships: Collaboration and partnerships are critical to success in TOD at all levels. The public sector cannot implement TOD without the private sector and visa versa. Individual departments within each jurisdiction need to collaborate with each other. Jurisdictions up and down the line need to collaborate and partner to ensure mutual success.
- Financing Infrastructure: The existing infrastructure in many potential TOD locations will not be adequate for higher-density development. Tax increment financing (TIF) is, for many, not the best tool. Many believe new tools are necessary.
- Communicating with Citizens: Many stakeholders have suggested a regional communication campaign is needed to help citizens engage in informed debate.
- Accommodating Workforce or Affordable Housing: A growing dialogue is taking place about ensuring sufficient homes for the workforce as well as the growing senior population in TODs. If this is a priority for the region, public policy will likely need to intervene. Many experts predict that demand for market-rate housing will be greater than the supply in TODs - leaving little to no opportunity for these populations.
- Measuring Impacts: What is the traffic impact of TOD on surrounding roadways? How much parking is appropriate? Many jurisdictions are asking for help estimating and measuring these impacts. A couple of groups are studying this topic, including a partnership between the Congress of New Urbanism (CNU) and the Institute of Traffic Engineers (ITE) as well as the Transportation Cooperative Research Program.
Now in its second year, the TOD program at DRCOG remains focused on its mission.
Plans for the coming year include continuing to partner with organizations on workshops and other initiatives designed to stimulate dialogue and share lessons learned. The DRCOG TOD program also plans to conduct and/or sponsor research projects within the next year focused on helping the region prioritize desired outcomes and monitor citizen awareness, perceptions and support for TOD and related issues.
In addition, the DRCOG TOD program will work to encourage and support leadership on key issues raised during the dialogue.
Stay tuned.
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