Land-Use Policy Feasibility Study that Improves Opportunities for Alaska Ferry System Ridership Among Rural Disadvantaged Communities (Grant Overview)
Land-Use Policy Feasibility Study that Improves Opportunities for Alaska Ferry System Ridership Among Rural Disadvantaged Communities (Grant Overview)
Application for the Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Grant Opportunity:
- Total Project: $1,593,075
- State Match: $144,000
- Federal Request: $1,499,075
This project will initiate a comprehensive review of land-use policy adjacent to ferry terminal locations in 35 rural communities, many of which are considered disadvantaged. This project will produce a feasibility study that identifies affordable housing policies and transit-oriented development, including available financing tools.
The AMHS Restoration Program will chart the course ahead to a restored and healthy transportation system by meeting service level targets based on crewing availability, fleet capacity, and budget. This program will first focus on stabilizing the system and then incrementally adding service while providing transparency through monitoring and reporting of critical system elements—our crew, our vessels, and the financial resources to support service. Each phase includes mitigation measures addressing fare structure, policy, and communication. Part of this restoration strategy - meeting the goal of increasing ridership by 10% - rests on careful and thorough analysis of land-use policy and affordable housing in AMHS communities.
The project will evaluate opportunities for mixed-use and affordable housing development near AMHS facilities, including anticipating the need for multimodal connectivity, accessibility, and active transportation. This approach is focused on contributing to DOT&PF's goals of increased economic development and ridership. Additional goals may be identified by partners during the project development process, including the identification of other infrastructure needs.
While the state is the landowner in many instances, DOT&PF will invite local government and Alaska Native corporation landowners to participate in the project's implementation and planning.
Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Grant Program
On August 7, 2023, FTA announced the availability of approximately $13.4 million in competitive grants for the FY 2023 Pilot Program for Transit-Oriented Development Planning Program. Applications with a substantial focus on affordable housing may receive up to 100% federal support.
The TOD Pilot Program intends to fund comprehensive planning that supports economic development, increased transit ridership and value capture multimodal connectivity, accessibility, increased transit access for pedestrian and bicycle traffic, and mixed-use and mixed-income development near transit stations.
FTA is seeking comprehensive or site specific planning projects that cover an entire transit capital project corridor.