Press Releases

For Immediate Release

MTC Awards $500,000 in New Grants to Promote Livable Communities

Eight Bay Area Projects Selected

Contacts:

Steve Kinsey
415.499.7331

Jim Spering
707.421.7300

Evelyn Baker
510.817.5753

OAKLAND, Calif., Nov. 17, 2004...The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) today approved eight new planning grants totaling $500,000 through its Transportation for Livable Communities (TLC) program to support community-oriented transportation planning efforts in San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley, Lafayette, Redwood City, Santa Rosa and Sunnyvale, as well as a streetscape improvement project along El Camino Real in Belmont, Redwood City and San Carlos. MTC established the TLC program in 1998 to provide incentives for pedestrian- and transit-oriented developments, streetscape improvements and other projects that strengthen the link between transportation, land use and community goals.

The eight projects approved for funding Wednesday were selected from among a pool of 46 applications totaling over $3.2 million in requests. Each project will be developed by community groups and local jurisdictions, and will involve public outreach and participation as part of the planning process. In each case, MTC funds will supplement dollars provided by the project sponsor. A partnership led by the San Jose/Guerrero Coalition to Save our Streets contributed $15,000 to qualify for a $75,000 MTC grant to plan a range of transportation improvements in San Francisco’s Mission District.

“Connecting land use planning and transportation planning is an idea whose time has come,” commented MTC Chair and Marin County Supervisor Steve Kinsey. “This year we received nearly twice as many applications for TLC planning grants as we received in the previous funding cycle.”

“MTC plays a lead role in the Bay Area’s smart growth movement, and we’re proud that TLC supports these planning efforts,” said MTC Commissioner and Suisun City Mayor Jim Spering, who spearheaded establishment of the TLC program during his tenure as MTC chair from 1997 to 1999.

The goal of TLC is to help Bay Area municipalities plan and construct community-oriented transportation projects that will improve a range of transportation choices, support a community’s infill or transit-oriented development activities, and enhance a community’s sense of place and quality of life. The TLC program includes three separate components: planning grants, capital grants for project implementation, and Housing Incentive Program grants for cities and/or counties that propose housing developments adjacent to transit service.

Informational materials explaining the Transportation for Livable Communities program and the Housing Incentive Program ― and their respective project application procedures ― are available through the MTC-ABAG Library by e-mail (library@mtc.ca.gov), fax (510/817-5932) or telephone (510/817-5836). Information about the program also may be found on the MTC Web site at www.mtc.ca.gov.

MTC is the transportation planning, coordinating and financing agency for the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area.

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Note to editors: A complete of list of projects approved for funding in the current TLC planning grant cycle can be accessed as a Word file by clicking here and as a pdf file by clicking here.

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