2019 TOD Pilot Program

 2019 TOD Pilot Program Boundaries

2019 Pilot Program for TOD Planning

Introduction

In an effort to combat the sprawling development patterns in Jacksonville and provide a premium, frequent, and reliable transportation service in the region, the Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) has developed several bus rapid transit (BRT) lines that connect several of the outlying communities with the regional employment epicenter that is Downtown Jacksonville. Known as the First Coast Flyer (FCF) program, the JTA’s robust BRT network currently consists of three existing corridors and a fourth currently in the development stage. The North Corridor, also known as the Green Line, enables commuters to travel from the Jacksonville Regional Transportation Center (JRTC) at LaVilla, the JTA’s main transfer hub, located in Downtown to our Armsdale Park-n-Ride facility located in Northwest Jacksonville.

As presently constructed, the FCF Green Line will be a 10-mile BRT line with 5.5-miles of dedicated lanes. This route services an economically distressed area within Jacksonville which offers a great opportunity to plan for equitable transit-oriented development (TOD). To date, the JTA has invested $7.2 million received from the FTA in sidewalk and ADA ramp improvements within a ½-mile of this BRT line. Planning for TOD could also be a catalyst for expanding the needed roadway infrastructure along the FCF Green Line. This BRT corridor is prime for equitable TOD planning as it traverses through multiple opportunity zones, captures a significant low-income and elderly ridership, and impacts a historically underserved area in terms of infrastructure improvements.

This grant will ensure that JTA and its partners begin to plan for sustainable growth in this area that maximizes the true potential of the BRT system and shapes growth in a matter that incorporates TOD. The JTA envisions the fruition of a fully optimized BRT network with dedicated lanes throughout each BRT corridor and all the additional BRT amenities that facilitate an efficient BRT system and advance the following goals:

  • Enhance economic development and transit ridership
  • Facilitate multimodal connectivity and accessibility
  • Increase access to transit from non-motorized transportation
  • Enable mixed-used development
  • Identify infrastructure needs
  • Facilitate both public and private sector involvement in the TOD planning process

Scope

Program Tasks

  • Project management plan
  • Community engagement and public involvement plan
  • Existing conditions analysis
  • TOD visioning
  • Implementation mechanics/strategies

Focus Area

  • First Coast Flyer Green Line - Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) North Corridor
    • 1/2-mile radius surrounding BRT North Corridor
    • 10-mile BRT line with the potential for 5.5 miles of dedicated lanes
    • Passes through 7 Opportunity Zones
    • Serves large percentage of low-income and minority populations
    • $4 million invested into this corridor for sidewalks and ADA improvements
    • Consistent with City of Jacksonville Capital Improvement Plan

Project Budget

  • Total: $1,178,280
  • Share: 80/20
  • Match: $235,656

Project Results

  • interagency TOD planning framework for Equitable TOD and affordable housing
  • robust outreach plan
  • refinement of funding mechanisms, including Value Capture mechanisms
  • identify near term properties and catalyst projects for TOD implementation
  • establish TOD targets and performance measures
  • creation of TOD Station Area Plans and identification of infrastructure needs
  • drive economic development within the corridor

Project Timeline

  • Grant application submitted on 11/18/2019
    • Received letters of support from the 4th Congressional District of Florida, COJ, DIA, North Florida TPO, and Private Sector (Renaissance Planning, Inc.)
  • Completion within 24 months of grant award