MTC Awards
$500,000 in New Grants to Promote Livable Communities
Ten Bay Area Projects Selected
The Metropolitan Transportation
Commission (MTC) recently approved ten new planning grants totaling
$500,000 through its Transportation for Livable Communities (TLC)
program to support community-oriented transportation projects in
Brentwood, Colma/Daly City, Cordelia, Fremont, Healdsburg, Larkspur,
Millbrae, Santa Rosa, Walnut Creek, and an unincorporated area of
western Contra Costa County. MTC established the TLC program in 1998
to provide incentives for pedestrian- and transit-oriented
developments, streetscape improvements, and other projects that
strengthen the link between transportation, land use, and community
goals.
The ten projects approved were
selected from among a pool of 26 applications totaling over $1.5
million in requests. Each project will be developed by community
groups and local jurisdictions, and will involve public outreach and
participation as part of the planning process. In all cases, the MTC
funds will supplement funding provided by the project sponsor.
"There’s a tremendous
amount of creativity at the local level all across the Bay
Area," noted MTC Vice Chair and Marin County Supervisor Steve
Kinsey. "That’s reflected in the strong demand for TLC
funding and the wide variety of projects that will be able to move
forward with the help of these grants."
"Look at the list of new
planning grants and you’ll see that money is going to several
projects designed to improve pedestrian and bicycle access to
transit facilities," observed MTC Commissioner and Suisun City
Mayor Jim Spering, who spearheaded establishment of the TLC program
during his tenure as MTC Chair from 1997 to 1999. "But look
closer and you’ll see that each one is unique. TLC encourages
local solutions to local problems instead of imposing a top-down,
one-size-fits-all approach."
The TLC program, which is
intended to help Bay Area municipalities plan and construct
community-oriented transportation projects, includes three separate
components: planning grants, capital grants for project
implementation, and Housing Incentive Program grants for cities
and/or counties that propose housing developments adjacent to
transit service.
Informational materials explaining
the Transportation for Livable Communities program and the Housing
Incentive Program—and their respective project application
procedures—are available through the MTC-ABAG Library by
e-mail (library@mtc.ca.gov), fax (510/464-7852), or telephone
(510/464-7836). Information about the program also may be obtained
from MTC’s web site at www.mtc.ca.gov.