Redevelopment
Golden Spike
Linking Transit and Prosperity Along the Ann Arbor-Detroit Corridor
The struggle to craft a metropolitan mass transit system in southeast Michigan has met regular road blocks – so to speak. Lack of political support or funding, disparate legal structures, economic and racial segregation . . . the list goes on. One of the most challenging is the complex pattern of urban sprawl development that has left us with few origination and destination locations that can support an effective transit system.
Michigan’s Golden Spike aims to change that.
The downtowns of Michigan’s small cities are prime locations for the kind of development that enables multi-modal transportation. Mixed-use, pedestrian-friendly, inviting, and safe, they provide the perfect setting for the kind of economic development that attracts “new economy” workers and leads to sustainable land uses.
Communities that target this type of high-density development need to build citizen and local government support, and create zoning ordinances and master plan amendments that allow for easy integration of transit-friendly development. Golden Spike provides local governments with research and technical assistance to implement and sustain transit-oriented development (TOD), inspired by the initial vision of an intercity rail or bus route between Detroit and Ann Arbor.
At its heart, Michigan’s Golden Spike is a development project, not a transit project. With population density just under that of Washington D.C., we are well on our way to significantly increasing the viability of transit in southeast Michigan, particularly of fixed-route systems like light- or commuter-rail.
Most importantly, communities with TOD projects or planning in place are far more competitive for the essential federal “New Starts” funding that will allow construction of a transit system. Transit-oriented development will help build economic prosperity, environmental sustainability and social equity across the region.
What exactly does Transit-Oriented Development look like?
Adhering to the principles of Smart Growth, TOD is an approach to economic development that encourages pedestrian-friendly, high-density, mixed-use communities that offer convenient access to everyday necessities, green spaces, and multiple modes of transportation to produce a vibrant urban fabric. Transit-oriented developments are usually concentrated within a half mile radius of a transit stop.
But that's not the whole story.
Learn more about Golden Spike and TOD here and on our Resources page.
Using Transit-Oriented Development to Create Economic Vibrancy in Neighborhoods: A Guide for Elected and Appointed Officials in Michigan (Michigan Suburbs Alliance) (PDF)
Michigan's Golden Spike: Linking Transit and Prosperity Along the I-94 Corridor (Michigan Suburbs Alliance) (PPT)
TOD Advocate
How to prepare for and institute TOD based on case studies in Portland and Seattle.
Center for Transit Oriented Development
A national organization whose mission is to connect communities with transportation systems. Also home to the Brookings Institute's Housing Affordability Index. The Center for TOD's original website is also worth exploring.
Research and Development on the Regional Implications of Transit-Oriented Development
Listing of TOD research that focus on regionalism and economic viability.
Rail-volution
National transit advocacy organization. Especially worthwhile: "Railvolution Summit 2005: Salt Lake, City."
Connecting Communities: Transit Oriented Development
Home to the Denver region's TOD planning documents.
Transit-Oriented Development in the United States: Experiences Challenges, and Prospects
Comprehensive TOD report compiled for the Transportation Research Board in 2004.
