Using transportation funds to promote smart growth

The Atlanta Regional Commission, which disburses federal transportation dollars for its region, has a $350 million program to encourage mixed-use, pedestrian-oriented planning and development. The Livable Centers Initiative (LCI) is the largest program of its kind in the nation, slated to use 1 percent of all transportation dollars through 2025. “We’re offering a very serious carrot,” Mike Alexander, review coordinator for the ARC, told attendees of the New Partners for Smart Growth conference in January. Municipalities must pay a 20 percent match to get LCI funds, and the response has been overwhelming. ARC has received 150 applications for LCI studies in 101 unique study areas throughout the region. “Everybody is on our form of crack cocaine for planning funds,” he says. “They need to have the studies to get the implementation funds later.” LCI has funded planning for 29 town centers, 25 “activity centers,” three corridors, and one greenfield development. It was clear from Alexander’s presentation that much of the planning is influenced by New Urbanism. The sites include historic downtowns and suburban mixed-use centers. Some are served by rail or bus transit, and all will be planned to encourage pedestrian and bicycle activity. LCI focuses government spending on two areas where the public sector can make a difference — initial planning and transportation/streetscape improvements.