Transit-Oriented Development (TOD)along Metro Rail Corridor – Buffalo, NY

A Regional Economic Development Opportunity

October 22, 2018

Yes, Buffalo has Light Rail!Street Running inDowntown

Subway RunningNorth of Downtown

Metro Rail Existing & Proposed Extension

Appx. 7 MilesExisting

Appx. 7 MilesProposed

What the Buffalo-Niagara Region is Facing

2015 Pop. 2040 Pop. Change % Change

1,136,272 1,150,512 14,240 1.3%

Buffalo-Niagara Region Population

The NEW Buffalo

Align transit investment in Metro Rail with the region’s vision forsmart growth and economic development to create new,walkable, and vibrant Transit-Oriented Neighborhoods and toincrease Metro Rail usage.

Transit-Oriented Development Study

ü Slow population growth but youngadult population increased 8.3%.

ü By 2040, 28% of regional jobs willbe located in Metro Rail corridor.

ü Future development could add 8.4million square feet of development.

ü This development has an assessedvalue of $1.7 billion.

Why TOD for Buffalo?

1. Keep Pace with our Peers for Economic Development

2. Improve Mobility options and Access to Jobs

3. Affordable Urban Lifestyles for all Families

4. Align Sustainable Growth with Investments in Transportation

ü 3 Rounds of TOD Charrettes• Developers and Real Estate• State and Local Government• Academic, Transportation, Housing, Business,

Not-for-Profits• Community and Public Forum

üMultiple Professional and CommunityGroups

ü On-Site Visits

ü Public Meetings

LOTS of Outreach – Building Support

TOD Desirability & Readiness Assessment

- Physical Suitability

- Market Strength- Plans in Place

- Local Leadership

Station Area Plans

How Are We Going to Stimulate TOD?

ü Regional/ Political Support

ü Update Zoning

ü Improve Walkability/ Placemaking

ü Capital Improvement Plans

ü Not-for-Profit and PhilanthropicSupport

ü Uniquely Crafted Incentives

ü Joint Development & ValueCapture

What’s Next?

üNFTA has chosen Locally PreferredAlternative- $5M State Funding to beginFTA CIG ProcessüRefine Locally Preferred AlternativeüEnvironmental ReviewüContinue OutreachüEnter into Project Development

Transit-Oriented Development Plan can befound at:www.gbnrtc.org/tod/

Fred Frank, WSPfred.frank@wsp.com

Additional Information