Treasure Coast RPC Assists with Area Master Plan
Arcade View of New TRCL Commuter Station
The Treasure Coast RPC is working with the City of Delray Beach on a Tri-Rail Station Area Master Plan Charette. The Tri-Rail Coastal Link (TRCL) commuter rail project is currently anticipated to include up to twenty-five stations along the Florida East Coast Railway Corridor between the City of Miami and the Town of Jupiter. Establishing transit-oriented development (TOD) land use patterns along the corridor and around these stations is a local decision and critical to the success of passenger rail service.
Working together, the Treasure Coast and South Florida Regional Planning Councils were recently awarded a $1.25 million grant from the Federal Transit Administration to work with motivated local governments in the corridor on community planning and land use activities supporting TOD. Seven cities along the TRCL commuter rail corridor were selected to receive TOD planning services through a competitive grant process, which required a local funding match.
Axonometric View of TRCL Station Area Mixed-Use Development Proposal
Land use, zoning code, urban design, and visioning work began in August 2017 with the City of Delray Beach’s Station Area Master Plan Charrette. The charrette consisted of seven days of public involvement and community engagement activities resulting in a TOD master plan for the station area. Assessments were also provided for the station area related to water/sewer infrastructure capacity, affordable housing, bicycle/pedestrian connectivity, and opportunities to develop a TOD business fund to generate a sustainable revenue stream for operations and maintenance.
TRCL Commuter Station Site Plan
Other cities selected under the grant include:
- City of Wilton Manors Station Area Plan
- City of Miami TOD Overlay Zones
- City of Hollywood Station Area Master Plan Charrette
- City of North Miami Beach Station Area Plan
- City of Oakland Park TOD Form-Based Code
- City of Palm Beach Gardens Station Area Plan
All work is expected to be completed by June 2019.
Heartland Regional Transportation Disadvantaged Summit
U.S. Department of Commerce Supports Disaster Recovery Efforts in Florida
The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding $943,000 in grants to support five disaster economic recovery coordinator positions that will work to support economic recovery efforts in Florida in the wake of Hurricane Irma.
“The Commerce Department is working diligently to provide aid to local businesses and communities after this year’s tragic hurricane season,” said Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross. “Along with the efforts of local partners, the entire Administration has endeavored to ensure that American communities will not be left behind after a devastating disaster strikes.”
The investments announced today include:
- $200,000 to the Northeast Florida Regional Council of Jacksonville, Florida,
- $200,000 to the Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council of Fort Myers, Florida
- $200,000 to the Central Florida Regional Planning Council of Bartow, Florida
- $174,704 to the East Central Florida Regional Planning Council of Orlando, Florida
- $168,000 to the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council of Pinellas Park, Florida
The grants will go toward the hire of a Disaster Recovery Coordinator for each locality who will support enhanced recovery efforts by helping coordinate the efforts of local governments, economic development organizations, and individual business. This project will also provide direct assistance in navigating and accessing the myriad of resources, available from multiple participants, to aid in recovery and resilience activities.
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