Transit Oriented Development:from definition to implementation

C H R I S T O P H E R Y A K E – N E L S O N N Y G A A R D

overview

•The “P” Word: A little history/background of

Portland, OR

•Defining TOD: Developing a TOD typology

•TOD Projects: Implementation

“We can’t do that here”:a short history of the “P” word

•Voted Republican 1968-1984

•Vast majority supported Vietnam War

•Popular Gov Tom McCall (R) in office

•Traditional transportation approach…

Moses’ Plan for Portland

mt. hood freeway

State/local bipartisan revolt

•Diverts freeway $ to light rail

•1973 Oregon Land Use Laws –enables Urban Growth Boundary

•1979 Metro Council elected (first in nation)

•Broad coalition of urbanists, environmentalists, agriculture, forestry

•Invest in transportation choices…

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1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010

Spokane Boise Denver Portland

Per Capita Vehicle Miles Traveled

“We can’t do that here…”:guess the region

•Privately funded regional land use and transportation plan

•Highest transit spending per capita in the nation

•Only region building light rail, BRT, commuter rail and streetcar at the same time

•2012: 73 percent voted for Gov. Romney

•The new “Zion” of transit has moved to…

Parsons Brinckerhoff I PlaceMaking Group

Defining transit orientation TOD: “You know it when you see it.” How can we compare different parts of the region? What elements go into those great places? Orientation should be related to actual travel behavior

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dollars

distancedestinations

distinction

demographics

The traditional trinity of TOD

density

diversity design

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people

performance ped/bikeconnectivity

placesphysical form

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Potential(market)

measuring TOD readiness (p’s)

people

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“There are two things Oregonians

hate…. sprawl..

Former (& current) Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber

..and density.”

the “d” word

places

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ped/bikeconnectivity

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performance

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physical form

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People

Pedestrian/Bicycle

Physical FormPlaces

Performance

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transit orientation score

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building a TOD typologyTransit Orientation

Score(Urban Form + Activity )

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+ Market Strength

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outer station areas for analysis

Typology(market + TOD Score)

GreenInterstateAirportWestsideEastside Milwaukie

Station Community Typology(market + TOD Score)

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Station Community Typology(market + TOD Score)

Plan + Partner(longer term station areas)

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Plan + Partner(longer term station areas)

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Catalyze + Connect(emerging station areas)

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Catalyze + Connect(emerging station areas)

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Infill + Enhance(near term station areas)

1/15/2014 43GreenInterstateAirportWestsideEastside Milwaukie

Infill + Enhance(near term station areas)

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Implementing TOD

TOD Implementation Program

• Program created in 1998• $3 mill annual budget• Public-private “bricks and

mortar” projects tied to transportation outcomes

• > 500,000 induced annual transit trips

• $30 mill has leveraged > $300 mill private investment

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TOD Program Strategies

• Create suburban market comparables for higher density buildings near transit and centers

• Develop developers with expertise in higher-density mixed-use buildings in suburban settings

• Increase acceptance of urban style buildings through high quality design

• Carry out place making and contribute to local identity

Grants/easements

• compact mixed use

development is not cheap!

• acquire tod easements

• Cost premiums:

- structured parking

- elevator

- separation of uses

- complex fire systems

how does it work?1. Cost Premium Analysis

2. Capitalized Farebox Revenue from induced ridership (must have delta, daily transit fare x 30 years)

3. 7-day notice to Metro Council (de-politicizes funding decisions)

4. Development Agreement

projects

Example Projects

North Main Village – City of Milwaukie

The Rocket – Central City Portland

The Merrick - Portland

Orenco Station - Hillsboro

Orenco Station - Hillsboro

The Crossings - Gresham

program results2,091 housing units

Nearly 250,000 sq ft commercial

> 100,000 tons of GHG reduced543,000 Induced

Transit Riders Per Year

nearly 1,000 affordable units

and more than 300 senior units

20 built projects(10 in pre-development)

$318 million in private investment

2008 National APA Best Practices Award

Key takeaways

• Portland is not perfect• TOD is measurable: TOD & travel behavior is a function

of elements of the built, market and social environments

• Reassert the the T in TOD: Incorporate transit quality

• Mind the Market: Nudge, don’t shove, the private sector

• One size does not fit all: TOD is scalable

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q + achristopher.yake@nelsonnygaard.com