FIRST COAST COMMUTER RAIL TOD STUDY | INTRODUCTION
FIRST COAST COMMUTER RAIL TOD STUDY | INTRODUCTION
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TOD BENEFITS
GENERATE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES TOD can result in economic programs and policies that promote increased opportunity for residents and businesses. TOD provides an environment that attracts an increased quantity and quality of retail to both improve quality of life for existing residents and potentially attract additional residential and commercial development. Equitable TOD strategies focus on providing the environment to support land use programs that will generate jobs for the workforce in this corridor. Working with local land owners, business owners, and developers, this plan identifies key opportunities to strengthen and complement existing industries, and proposes the land use programs in the station areas to accommodate them. TOD initially creates a number of local jobs during construction. Additionally, TOD can attract and retain younger workers, as younger workers seek to live and work in areas where there are amenities such as restaurants, cafes, entertainment options, and access to transit – all of which are elements of TOD. Implementing TOD that improves walkability and safety, enhances schools and parks, and retains affordable housing options and key services like childcare will attract both a younger and more experienced workforce. FOSTER COLLECTIVE VISION The communities along the FCCR corridor will benefit from the planning process, which brought together stakeholders from all interest areas, including residents, business owners, elected officials, economic development organizations, local staff, community agencies, developers, and others to form a common vision for the future TOD in the region. This process also educates and informs local stakeholders to be better prepared for the implementation of the future transit infrastructure. Kick-starting momentum, interest, and investment in the corridor will help create long- lasting partnerships between local agencies and private developers.
PROVIDE GREATER LIFESTYLE CHOICES TOD can provide more transportation and housing choices, increase the flexibility for residents to shop, work, and entertain themselves close to their homes, provide options for active lifestyles for a convenient, affordable, and active community, and facilitate accessibility to all ages and income levels for the communities located along the FCCR corridor. TOD also promotes an active lifestyle by enhancing the environment for pedestrians and bicyclists. By improving community amenities and creating more destinations, TOD creates a sense of community and place that can cater to everyone.
TOD is a method to maximize the potential of both premium transit, and the land around it. Nationally, the market for TOD is strong. The Center for Transit- Oriented Development indicates that 81% of millennials and 77% of Baby Boomers prefer to live in walkable, active communities; and further indicates that by 2030, 25% of people in the rental and housing market will be seeking housing near transit. TOD reduces the number of automobile trips made and lessens transportation costs, resulting in an increase in discretionary income, allowing people to have more money to spend in the community. Communities can make significant progress towards improving their quality of life and meeting smart growth goals by linking transit and land use. TOD increases mobility choice and access to employment and services while reducing transportation costs, provides health benefits by making walking and biking more convenient and comfortable, and generates economic development activity around stations.
The key benefits of TOD include the following:
INCREASE TRANSIT RIDERSHIP To secure funding, it is crucial to demonstrate that the new system will have enough ridership demand. Implementing TOD around the FCCR corridor can provide an environment that attracts more residents, workers, high quality jobs, and public and private investments to the station areas, increasing the potential ridership for the transit system. Implementing TOD along the proposed rail corridor will also help the project compete successfully for future funding for transit infrastructure implementation by meeting Federal Transit Administration (FTA) evaluation criteria. SUPPLY ALTERNATIVE TRAVEL METHODS TOD can provide alternative travel methods to reach new and familiar destinations. TOD also supports active mobility by providing a connected Complete Streets network. Residents will have reliable and direct access to other modes of transit, which will reduce automobile dependence, daily vehicle trips per household, ultimately improving the air quality for residents in and around Jacksonville’s downtown by reducing CO² emissions per capita.
Figure 1-6: VISUALIZATION OF A TOD STATION AREA
FCCR TOD
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